ADHD prescribing in NSW · 2025 to 2026
Can a GP prescribe ADHD medication in NSW?
Yes. Since late 2025, NSW GPs have been able to start and continue ADHD medication for adults, including stimulants. Ongoing specialist care is not always needed. Certain conditions must be met, and the doctor decides on treatment after seeing you.
This page explains how ADHD prescribing works in NSW in 2025 to 2026: what GPs can and can’t do, and what you need to get GP-led ADHD care.
- AGPAL accredited
- GP-owned since 1997
- No referral needed
The 2025 change
What changed with ADHD prescribing in NSW?
Before 2025
ADHD medication in NSW, especially stimulants, usually needed an approved prescriber. This was usually a psychiatrist or paediatrician. GPs could continue scripts a specialist started, but couldn’t start treatment themselves.
Now
NSW Health updated its rules. GPs can now both initiate and continue ADHD treatment for adults, under Appendix D of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008.
This means eligible adults can now see a suitably trained GP directly, without a specialist referral.
Book a visitWhat GPs can do
What can a GP do for ADHD in NSW?
A GP working under the current NSW rules can:
Continue prescribing
ADHD medication for people who already have a formal diagnosis and treatment plan from a psychiatrist or paediatrician.
Review and adjust doses
Within safe ranges, at your check-ups.
Issue electronic prescriptions
eScripts for Schedule 8 stimulant medication, if the doctor decides it suits you.
Provide structured ongoing care
Including yearly reviews and 6-month check-ins.
What a continuation-only GP cannot do
A GP who only does continuation prescribing cannot do the first ADHD assessment. That needs a psychiatrist, a paediatrician, or a GP approved to diagnose ADHD. Once you have a formal diagnosis, GP-led continuation care is a legal option in NSW.
What you need
What do patients need to access GP-led ADHD care?
To get ADHD continuation prescribing from a GP in NSW, you usually need:
A formal ADHD diagnosis
From a psychiatrist or paediatrician. Not a self-diagnosis or online test.
A treatment plan or specialist letter
That confirms the diagnosis and suggested medication.
To be aged 6 or over
Everyone needs an in-person check-up at least once a year. Under-18s also need ongoing care from a paediatrician.
To be located in NSW
Your first visit is always in person at our West Pennant Hills practice. After that, care can be by video visit across NSW. For video care, you need a usual GP we can work with. NSW Health approval may be needed, and the doctor must agree it suits you. We write to your usual GP after your visit. You need an in-person check-up at least once a year.
You don’t need a GP referral to book with My ADHD GP. Not sure if you have the right documents? Book anyway, and we’ll tell you what you need.
Telehealth safety
Is it safe to manage ADHD medication via telehealth?
Yes, with the right care and checks. Australian rules let GPs prescribe Schedule 8 medication, including ADHD stimulants, by telehealth. State rules also apply.
At My ADHD GP, your first visit is always in person at West Pennant Hills. After that, care can be by video visit across NSW if you have a usual GP we can work with. NSW Health approval may be needed, and the doctor must agree it suits you. A script is never guaranteed.
- Video visits follow the same steps as in person
- A medication review every visit
- A check for side effects
- A care plan update
- eScripts sent to your chosen pharmacy, if prescribed
Cost
What does ADHD medication cost through a GP in NSW?
At My ADHD GP, GP-led continuation care has two main visit types.
Initial ADHD Continuation Consult
In person at West Pennant Hills. Your GP reviews your diagnosis, history and current medication.
$287.4530 min · includes booking fee
About ongoing careADHD Follow-Up Review
A check-up for returning patients, in person or by video visit.
$187.4515 min · includes booking fee
Visits are privately billed. There is no bulk billing for these visits. Same price in person or by video. All prices include HotDoc’s $2.45 booking fee. An in-person visit may get a Medicare rebate. A video visit only gets a rebate if you are a registered MyMedicare patient of Rosedale Medical Practice, or you saw one of our GPs in person in the last 12 months. See all prices and rebates
How the NSW authority works
ADHD stimulant medicines are Schedule 8 (controlled) medicines. To prescribe them in NSW, a doctor needs an approval (an authority) from NSW Health. If your care is by video visit, we apply for an authority for you, and we work with your usual GP. We only prescribe if the doctor decides it suits you and the authority is in place.
Starting treatment after a diagnosis? Read about starting ADHD medication in NSW. Live outside Sydney? Read about ADHD telehealth across NSW.
Why you can trust us
A real GP clinic, here for the long run
- Our GPs are RACGP Fellows with extra training in ADHD
- We keep your usual GP in the loop
- Free changes up to 24 hours before
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to see an ADHD GP in NSW?
No. You don’t need a referral from another GP to book with My ADHD GP. For continuation care, you need an existing ADHD diagnosis from a psychiatrist or paediatrician.
Can I get ADHD medication from a GP without seeing a psychiatrist?
If you already have a formal diagnosis and treatment plan, a GP may be able to continue your medication. The doctor decides after seeing you. Never been diagnosed? You can book an adult ADHD assessment with My ADHD GP directly. You don’t need a psychiatrist referral.
What ADHD medications can a GP prescribe in NSW?
GPs approved under the NSW rules can prescribe stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medication. The doctor decides what suits you, in line with your existing treatment plan.
How does the appointment pathway work?
Your first visit is always in person at our West Pennant Hills practice. After that, care can be by telehealth (a video visit) across NSW. For video care, you need a usual GP we can work with. NSW Health approval may be needed, and the doctor must agree it suits you. We write to your usual GP after your visit. The doctor decides on treatment, and a script is never guaranteed. You need an in-person check-up at least once a year.
How much does ADHD GP care cost in NSW?
At My ADHD GP, the Initial ADHD Continuation Consult (your first visit) is $287.45. An ADHD Follow-Up Review (a check-up) is $187.45. All prices include HotDoc’s $2.45 booking fee. Fees are the same in person or by video visit. A Medicare rebate may apply to some visits. A video visit only gets a rebate in some cases. For example, if you are a registered MyMedicare patient of the practice, or you saw one of our GPs in person in the last 12 months. If not, you pay the full fee.
Learn more
Guides to ADHD care with a GP
Short guides on prices, diagnosis and care across NSW.
ADHD care
Find a GP near you
Already diagnosed? Book a continuation visit.
No referral needed. Your first visit is in person at West Pennant Hills. After that, care can be by video visit across NSW if the usual rules are met.
Your GP decides on treatment after seeing you. Booking doesn’t guarantee a script.