RACP and ADHD
Date published:
25 Jun 2025
At a glance
- There are concerns about ADHD reforms allowing GPs to diagnose without specialist input.
- Improved access to diagnosis is positive, but specialist involvement is crucial to ensure accurate assessment and appropriate treatment.
- The College has made submissions to federal and state inquiries and remains actively engaged.
- An ADHD Roundtable is planned to promote safe, collaborative care across professions.
We're aware of recent announcements across the jurisdictions regarding an increased scope of practice for General Practitioners (GPs) to diagnose and treat ADHD in children and young people.
The RACP is concerned about these recent announcements across several Australian states and territories proposing changes to the ADHD diagnosis pathways. These reforms appear to bypass the current comprehensive, specialist-led assessment model involving paediatricians and psychiatrists.
While the RACP supports efforts to improve access and reduce wait times for ADHD diagnosis and care, diagnosing ADHD, particularly in children, requires specialist expertise.
The RACP provided a submission to the Federal Senate Inquiry into ADHD (PDF) in 2023 and noted several recommendations taken up in the Inquiry Final Report (PDF) and the Federal Government response published at the end of last year. The RACP was also represented at an Inquiry Public Hearing to provide subject matter expertise on issues.
The RACP also provided a submission to the Tasmanian Inquiry into the assessment and treatment of ADHD and support services (PDF) last year. Again, the RACP was represented at an Inquiry Public Hearing to provide subject matter expertise on key issues in the state.
Through the states and territories, we are engaged with Government, with a representative on the NSW Health-led project exploring expanding GP scope of management of people with ADHD and engaging with the WA Premier’s office regarding the Government’s proposal for GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD.
The RACP has published media releases regarding South Australia's announcement this month Specialists say SA Government's push to expand ADHD treatment must be carefully designed to get it right and ADHD medication shortages in April ADHD drug supply delays underscore need for national strategy to tackle medicine shortages.
We're looking forward to hosting an ADHD Roundtable event with key stakeholders to discuss how best to ensure safe management of ADHD in children and young people and provide a collaborative approach for governments from the perspectives of paediatricians, psychiatrists, and GPs.