Can Your GP Diagnose ADHD in Victoria? (2026)

Not independently yet. Victorian GPs cannot yet diagnose ADHD on their own — you still need a psychiatrist or paediatrician. That is changing from late 2026: on 3 February 2026 the Victorian Government funded training for an initial 150 GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD by September 2026. Until a GP near you is trained, the specialist pathway still applies, and Victorian GPs need a SafeScript permit plus evidence of a specialist diagnosis to prescribe stimulants.

The $750,000 reform makes Victoria the fourth Australian state (after Queensland, South Australia, and NSW) to formally expand the GP role in ADHD care.

The reform was driven by the same access crisis affecting every state: specialist wait times of 6-12 months, comprehensive assessment costs upward of $2,000, and an estimated 163,000 Victorian children and 320,000 adults with undiagnosed ADHD.

The RACGP described these reforms as "lifechanging" and noted that Victorian GPs already have access to high-quality ADHD training materials developed with specialists. The RANZCP Victoria Branch also welcomed the announcement, noting a "significant gap in access to ADHD care in Victoria."

Once the reforms are implemented, trained GPs in Victoria will be able to:

• Diagnose ADHD in both adults and children aged 6 and over
• Prescribe stimulant medication including methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, and lisdexamfetamine
• Continue prescriptions for patients with an existing ADHD diagnosis (without needing specialist review every two years)
• Provide non-medication care including lifestyle strategies and referrals for behavioural therapy, psychology, and education

Training is required. Unlike Queensland (where no additional training is mandated), Victorian GPs must complete accredited RACGP training before they can diagnose ADHD. This aligns with the approach taken by South Australia and NSW.

Important caveat: The specific details around training structure, scope of practice, and prescribing limits are still being finalised through stakeholder consultation. Legislative changes are expected later in 2026. This means trained GPs may not begin diagnosing patients until the legislative framework is in place, even if training is completed earlier.

Until the reforms take effect, the existing Victorian rules apply:

Diagnosis: GPs cannot independently diagnose ADHD in Victoria. A psychiatrist, paediatrician, or psychologist must make the formal diagnosis.

Prescribing: GPs can continue prescribing stimulant medication for patients who already have a specialist diagnosis, but they must:

• Obtain a SafeScript permit through Victoria's real-time prescription monitoring system
• Provide evidence of a specialist diagnosis
• Ensure the patient has been reviewed by a specialist within a specified period (typically every two years)

SafeScript monitoring will continue after the reforms. The permit system provides an important safety check on stimulant prescribing and will remain in place for medication monitoring, even as GP scope expands.

This means Victorian patients who suspect they have ADHD currently need to see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or paediatrician for a formal diagnosis before a GP can prescribe medication.

Here is the expected timeline for Victorian GP ADHD reforms:

Important: Training completion does not automatically mean GPs can begin diagnosing. Legislative changes to the permit system are needed first. The government has committed to introducing these changes in 2026, but the exact date is not confirmed.

The initial 150 GPs is a starting point. As with Queensland and South Australia, the number of trained GPs is expected to grow over time as more complete the training program.

The cost and access implications for Victorians are significant:

Cost: A GP consultation typically costs $80-$120 and is often bulk-billed. The Victorian Government noted that current comprehensive ADHD assessments cost upward of $2,000 through the specialist pathway. GP diagnosis could reduce out-of-pocket costs to $0-$120.

Wait times: GP appointments are typically available within 1-4 weeks. Current specialist wait times in Victoria are 6-12 months for private psychiatrists and longer in the public system.

Important caveat: With only 150 GPs in the initial intake, demand will likely exceed supply. Not all trained GPs will choose to offer ADHD assessments, and those who do may quickly develop waitlists. Access should improve over time as more GPs complete training.

Medicare rebates still apply. Standard GP consultation items provide Medicare rebates regardless of what condition is being assessed.

Victoria is the fourth state to move on GP ADHD reform:

Victoria's age threshold of 6+ for children matches NSW and is more inclusive than WA (10+) but narrower than SA (8+). Queensland currently allows GP diagnosis for adults only.

For state-specific details, see our guides for Queensland, South Australia, NSW, and Western Australia.

While waiting for the reforms to take effect, Victorians who suspect they have ADHD should:

• See your GP for a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist. Your GP can also create a Mental Health Treatment Plan for Medicare rebates on psychology sessions.
• If you're already diagnosed and on medication, ask your GP about SafeScript permits for continuation prescribing. You may not need to keep seeing a specialist just for script renewals.
• Consider telehealth from providers in Queensland or South Australia, where GPs can already diagnose ADHD. The patient must be physically located in the same state as the provider during the consultation.
• Compare telehealth options — telehealth ADHD assessment providers operate Australia-wide and may have shorter waits than Victorian specialists.
• Ask your GP whether they plan to complete ADHD training when it becomes available. Some practices may begin offering ADHD assessments as soon as the legislative framework allows.

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