Australia is entering a new chapter in ADHD care, with General Practitioners moving from the sidelines to center stage.
Recent healthcare reforms—including NSW’s Tier 1 General Practice reforms—are empowering GPs to not only support but, in some jurisdictions, lead the diagnosis and ongoing management of ADHD. It’s a long-awaited shift toward faster, more accessible care for the estimated one million Australians living with ADHD.
AADPA’s new ADHD Prescribing Guide for the Continuation of Care and Co-Managed Care in General Practice—developed with support from NSW Health and endorsed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)—has been designed to help GPs step confidently into this expanded role.
The Case for GP-Led ADHD Care
These reforms recognise what evidence has long supported: appropriately trained clinicians across the health system—not only specialists—can make a real difference in ADHD assessment, diagnosis, and management.
AADPA’s position is consistent with the Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Guideline for ADHD: with proper training, collaboration, and clinical guidance, GPs can be a vital part of the ADHD care network.
The challenge? Many GPs haven’t had formal ADHD training. Specialist wait times remain lengthy. And as demand grows, so does the need for practical, reliable guidance.
What Makes This Guide Different
AADPA’s new prescribing guide adapts the comprehensive ADHD Prescribing Guide for Australian Healthcare Professionals (2024) specifically for the realities of general practice.
It provides clear protocols for continuing care of patients with established diagnoses and stable medication plans with practical advice on when to review, when to refer, and when specialist consultation is essential.
Beyond medication, the guide also provides multimodal care frameworks integrating psychoeducation, behavioural strategies, and collaboration with schools, workplaces, and families. Because when everyone is supported, outcomes improve for patients, parents, and practitioners alike.
Supporting System-Wide Reform
The guide directly supports NSW’s Tier 1 General Practice reforms by equipping GPs with the clinical confidence and frameworks needed to safely expand ADHD care within primary practice settings. As these reforms roll out and similar models emerge across other states, collaborative care between GPs, psychiatrists, paediatricians, and allied health professionals will be essential.
Better integration also means better outcomes for underserved populations—including girls and women, First Nations communities, and adults who’ve navigated years without diagnosis or support.
A Living Resource for a Changing System
Built on Australia’s gold-standard Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD, this guide will evolve as knowledge, policy, and practice evolve. AADPA is committed to keeping it current, practical, and responsive to the needs of frontline clinicians. Because when more GPs are confident in managing ADHD, more Australians can access the support they deserve—closer to home, and sooner.
