Media Release

Government Response to ADHD Senate Inquiry: A Missed Opportunity For Real Change

The Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA) has again expressed deep concern that the Government’s response to the ADHD Senate Inquiry falls short of delivering the necessary reforms. While the response acknowledges some of the challenges faced by the ADHD community, it lacks the comprehensive action required to address critical gaps in care, education, and support. Read the Government response here.

A Collaborative Way Forward

AADPA is calling on the Government to work in genuine collaboration with the ADHD community, clinicians, and advocates to ensure meaningful change.

Professor David Coghill, President of AADPA, emphasised:

“This response is an opportunity for the Government to listen, act, and lead. By working alongside the ADHD community, we can build a system that delivers timely diagnosis, equitable support, and improved outcomes for all Australians.”

The Current Reality of ADHD in Australia

  • 1 in 20 Australians lives with ADHD.
  • Average wait times for assessment exceed 12 months.
  • People in regional, rural, and low-income communities face significant barriers to care.
  • The $20 billion annual cost of untreated ADHD impacts education, productivity, healthcare, and mental health systems.
  • ADHD is not a mental health disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental condition which increases the risk of other mental health conditions.

AADPA’s priorities include:

  1. Ensuring that there are effective and high quality diagnosis pathways so that people receive the right treatment at the right time.
  2. Investing in specialist ADHD workforce training across healthcare and education systems to develop healthcare professionals who are confident and competent in ADHD care.
  3. Funding ADHD-specific community programs, such as helplines and peer support networks.
  4. Providing support that is culturally appropriate, equitable, and accessible regardless of location or background needs to be a priority
  5. Ensuring that the stigma around ADHD is replaced with understanding and acceptance
  6. Advocating for a nationalised approach to stimulant medication regulations in all states and territories to prevent state based differences in ADHD care.

“The ADHD community has solutions to offer. We are not asking for a massive investment in a tight fiscal environment. We understand there are competing and important issues. However, the Government needs to at least start a conversation with the community,” Professor Coghill said.

Opportunities for Improvement in the Government Response

While AADPA welcomes the Government’s support for uniform prescribing rules, the remainder of the Government’s response lacks the detail needed to address the priorities outlined by the Senate Inquiry and the ADHD community.

1. Addressing Workforce Shortages

  • The response highlights broader healthcare reforms but fails to provide specific measures to:
  • Facilitate training more GPs, paediatricians, and allied health professionals to confidently assess, diagnose, and treat ADHD.
  • Embed ADHD-specific content in clinical training programs and continuing professional development for healthcare professionals.
  • Develop pathways to expand the ADHD workforce, particularly in rural and regional areas where access to specialists is most limited.

2. Supporting Education Systems

Education remains one of the most critical gaps in ADHD support, yet the Government’s response does not commit to:

  • Nationally consistent ADHD-specific training for teachers and school leaders.
  • Funding for schools to deliver tailored support for neurodivergent students, ensuring equitable outcomes in classrooms.

Professor David Coghill stressed:

“Teachers need the tools and resources to ensure all students can thrive. National leadership in this area would drive real progress.”

3. Equitable Access to Care for Marginalised Communities

The unique needs of First Nations, CALD, and LGBTQIA+ individuals were acknowledged but remain unaddressed. There are no actionable plans to ensure:

  • Culturally appropriate pathways to ADHD diagnosis and treatment.
  • Equitable funding and support for individuals in rural, regional, and marginalised communities who face the greatest barriers to care.

Without focused strategies, these groups will continue to experience significant disparities in access to diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing support.

4. Critical Recommendations Overlooked

The Government response notably failed to support essential recommendations, including:

  • Establishing a National ADHD Framework with tangible action plans and clear accountability.
  • Ensuring equitable access to diagnosis and treatment, especially for those in underserved communities.
  • Providing adequate funding for professional training and ADHD-specific support services to build capacity across healthcare and education sectors.

What are the gaps?

  1. Data and Research: No commitment to establishing accurate ADHD prevalence data or sustained funding for research into stigma, gender bias, or co-occurring conditions.
  2. Economic Impact: The $20 billion annual cost of ADHD remains unaddressed. Investment in diagnosis, treatment, and education would deliver clear economic and societal benefits.
  3. Peer and Community Support: The response does not mention funding for practical community programs, such as ADHD-specific helplines or peer-led support networks.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address systemic inequities and improve the lives of millions of Australians. The Government must do better, and we stand ready to help,” Professor Coghill concluded.

“At a time when public awareness and demand for ADHD services are at an all-time high, this response shows a devastating lack of leadership and understanding.”