Can Your GP Diagnose ADHD in Queensland? (2026)

Since 1 December 2025, Queensland became the first Australian state to allow GPs to formally diagnose ADHD in adults and initiate stimulant prescriptions without requiring a prior specialist assessment. This is a landmark reform described by the RACGP as a potential "gamechanger" for ADHD access, especially in regional and remote areas.

Previously, Queensland GPs could already prescribe psychostimulants for children aged 4-17 without prior approval (since 2017). The December 2025 change extends this to adults, completing the pathway.

This reform was driven by the same crisis documented across Australia — specialist wait times of 6-18 months, a psychiatrist workforce concentrated in metropolitan areas, and hundreds of thousands of Australians unable to access timely assessment.

Under the new regulations, a specialist GP in Queensland can:

• Diagnose ADHD in adults (18+) using clinical interview and standardised assessment tools
• Initiate stimulant medication including methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, and lisdexamfetamine
• Adjust and continue prescriptions without needing repeated specialist reviews
• Prescribe within dose ceilings (see below) without prior approval

No mandatory additional training is required. Queensland is unique in this regard — GPs can begin diagnosing and prescribing immediately using existing clinical knowledge and the AADPA guideline. However, additional training modules are available through the RACGP for GPs who want further education.

This doesn't mean every GP will diagnose ADHD. The GP must feel competent to do so, and many will still prefer to refer complex cases to specialists. Not all GPs will choose to offer this service.

Queensland GPs who prescribe stimulants for ADHD are subject to maximum daily dose ceilings:

If a patient requires doses above these limits, the GP must refer to a psychiatrist. These ceilings are the standard therapeutic range for most patients — the majority of adults with ADHD are well-managed within these limits.

GPs follow the established national ADHD guidelines (AADPA) for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment initiation, including the standard "start low, go slow" titration approach.

The cost and access implications are significant:

Cost: A standard GP consultation costs $80-$120 and is often bulk-billed. Compare this to $500-$800 for a private psychiatrist assessment. For patients who would have paid $1,000-$1,600 out of pocket through the specialist pathway, GP assessment could reduce costs to $0-$120.

Wait times: GP appointments are typically available within 1-4 weeks, compared to 4-12 months for a private psychiatrist and 12+ months in the public system.

Important caveat: It's too early for published data on the reform's impact — it has only been operational since December 2025 (~2.5 months). Early anecdotal evidence suggests growing uptake, particularly in regional areas where specialist access was previously very limited.

Medicare rebates still apply: Standard GP consultation items provide Medicare rebates. The assessment doesn't require a specialist referral (since you're seeing the GP directly), which simplifies the process.

Queensland is ahead of other states in GP ADHD reform:

Queensland's decision not to require mandatory additional training distinguishes it from other states, which generally require GPs to complete specific ADHD training programs.

Browse ADHD GPs in Queensland to find GPs who list ADHD as a focus area. Since the reform is new, not all GP practices have updated their listings to reflect their ADHD assessment capabilities.

• Tips for finding a GP who can help:**
• Call the practice directly and ask if their GPs are assessing adult ADHD under the new regulations
• Ask about wait times — some practices may already have waitlists for ADHD assessments
• Check if the practice bulk bills for ADHD consultations
• Consider telehealth — some QLD GPs offer telehealth ADHD assessments, accessible from anywhere in Australia where the patient is physically located in Queensland at the time of the consultation. Browse online providers.

For a full national comparison of GP ADHD diagnosis rules across all states, see our guide: Can a GP diagnose ADHD in Australia?