For decades, access to proper ADHD diagnosis and treatment in Australia has been severely limited. General practitioners (GPs) were largely excluded from the process, leaving the burden on a small number of paediatricians and psychiatrists. With public hospital psychiatry offering little capacity or will to manage ADHD, particularly for disadvantaged groups, waiting lists of 12–18 months became the norm.
Today, however, things are finally beginning to change. According to Associate Professor John Kramer, growing recognition of ADHD’s impact has fuelled reforms that are reshaping care across the country.
The Shift Begins: Cost, Guidelines, and Awareness
The turning point came in 2019, when a Deloitte report estimated ADHD’s annual cost to Australia at $20.6 billion. This staggering figure highlighted the urgent need for systemic reform.
Soon after, the Commonwealth funded the development of National ADHD Guidelines, overseen by the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA). Using the UK’s NICE guidelines as a starting point, Australian experts and consumers collaborated to adapt them to the local context. Launched in 2022, the new guidelines provided clear, evidence-based pathways for diagnosis and management — finally giving both clinicians and consumers a strong foundation.
At the same time, ADHD awareness began to spread rapidly. Social media amplified both accurate information and misinformation, but it also gave consumers the tools to advocate for themselves and lobby policymakers. As a result, ADHD started gaining recognition not just within medical circles, but across all levels of society.
Building the ADHD Toolkit
With the guidelines in place, further resources followed. In 2024, AADPA released a prescribing guide to support clinicians in managing ADHD medications. Although Commonwealth funding was denied, the tool was self-funded and has since proven invaluable.
The RACGP also played a pivotal role, launching its Specific Interests Group for ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Neurodiversity in 2021. Associate Professor Kramer, its inaugural Chair, highlighted the importance of education and succession planning to sustain progress.
Meanwhile, advocacy grew stronger. Consumers worked with supportive clinicians, engaged the media, and lobbied MPs. This grassroots movement ensured that ADHD reform stayed on the political agenda.
GPs Enter the Picture
Allowing GPs to prescribe stimulants has long been seen as the key to improving access. Queensland led the way back in 2017, permitting GPs to initiate stimulants for children and adolescents. While it didn’t immediately spark nationwide change, it quietly set the stage for later reforms.
By 2025, momentum had built. In Western Australia, the Labor Government campaigned — and won — on a platform that included allowing GPs to initiate ADHD medications, supported by robust training modules. Soon after, New South Wales announced its own reforms, setting a target of 1,000 trained GPs by December 1.
Tasmania, South Australia, and the ACT quickly followed with their own versions. As of now, only Victoria and the Northern Territory have yet to announce changes, but given the pace of reform, their participation seems inevitable.
A New Era for ADHD Care
Australia is finally moving towards a more inclusive, accessible model of ADHD care — one where GPs play a central role in diagnosis and treatment. The combination of evidence-based guidelines, educational tools, consumer advocacy, and political will is breaking down barriers that once left thousands without proper support.
While challenges remain, the progress made since 2019 marks a profound shift. For the millions of Australians affected by ADHD, the future now looks far more hopeful.
Source: https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/gp-opinion/the-changing-landscape-of-adhd-in-australia#:~:text=In%202022%20we%20saw%20the,to%20lobby%20their%20elected%20representatives.
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