Victoria expands GP role in ADHD care as national momentum builds

What Victoria’s ADHD reform means for general practice

Victoria has announced reforms that expand the role of general practice in ADHD care, allowing trained GPs to take on greater responsibility for diagnosis and ongoing treatment for adults and children aged six and over.

Under changes announced on Tuesday, Victorian GPs will be able to continue prescribing ADHD medications for patients with an existing diagnosis. The state will also invest $750,000 in accredited training to support an initial cohort of up to 150 GPs to diagnose ADHD by September.

The move aligns Victoria with other jurisdictions, including Queensland, that are progressively shifting elements of ADHD care into general practice in response to long specialist wait times, workforce shortages and rising demand.

For general practice, the reform is more than an access measure for patients. It signals a broader recalibration of where complex, long-term neurodevelopmental care sits within Australia’s healthcare system.

READ MORE: Queensland GPs to diagnose adult ADHD: what the shift means for your practice

A targeted rollout, with consultation to follow

Victoria’s approach is deliberately staged.

While GPs will be able to undertake training to diagnose and treat ADHD, funding is capped initially at 150 practitioners. The Victorian Government has also confirmed that a targeted consultation with key stakeholders will begin ahead of the proposed regulatory changes. No further expansion has been announced at this stage.

RACGP Victoria has welcomed the announcement, describing it as a meaningful step towards addressing long-standing access gaps. Chair Dr Anita Muñoz said the reform would “signal a real shift in accessibility and equity of care for ADHD in Victoria”, particularly for patients facing prolonged waits for specialist appointments.

The staged rollout reflects ongoing caution around clinical governance, prescribing safeguards and shared-care arrangements, particularly given the regulatory complexity associated with stimulant medications.

Why ADHD reform keeps landing on GP desks

Around one in every 20 Australians lives with ADHD, yet access to diagnosis and treatment remains uneven across the country. In many regions, patients face months or even years waiting to see a psychiatrist or paediatrician, including for routine reviews or medication continuity.

State governments are increasingly looking to general practice to relieve pressure on specialist services while improving continuity of care closer to home.

For practices, however, this shift brings practical realities that cannot be ignored.

ADHD assessments are time-intensive and administratively demanding. They typically involve extended consultations, collateral histories, validated assessment tools and ongoing medication monitoring. Without careful planning, practices risk adding strain to already stretched appointment books and clinician workloads.

Experience suggests that ADHD care is most sustainable when approached as a defined service offering, rather than absorbed informally into standard consultations.

The operational implications for practices

For practice owners and GP leads, Victoria’s announcement raises several operational considerations:

• Workforce planning: Deciding which GPs will seek access to the limited training places, how selection will be prioritised, and how practices plan for succession or future expansion if demand exceeds capacity.

• Appointment design: Structuring longer assessments and follow-ups without eroding access for other patients.

• Clinical governance: Establishing clear protocols for diagnosis, prescribing, review and documentation.

• Shared-care pathways: Formalising escalation and referral arrangements with psychiatrists and paediatricians for complex cases.

Insights from other states suggest ADHD care in general practice works best when supported by clear workflows, appropriate billing structures and strong specialist relationships.

A clear shift, with responsibilities attached

Victoria’s reform reinforces a national trend towards expanding the scope of general practice in areas traditionally led by specialists.

For GPs, this reflects growing confidence in the profession’s capability to manage complex care. It also brings additional responsibility, training requirements and clinical risk.

The key question for practices is no longer whether ADHD care will continue to move into general practice, but how prepared clinics are to deliver it safely, compliantly and sustainably.

As ADHD policy continues to evolve across Australia, practices that invest early in training, systems and clearly defined models of care will be better positioned to meet rising demand without compromising quality of care or clinician wellbeing.

Sources:

• RACGP, ‘Victorian GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD.’ 
• Health Direct, ‘Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).’