GP ADHD Prescribing in Victoria

Not yet for initiation. In Victoria, only psychiatrists and paediatricians can currently initiate ADHD stimulant prescriptions. However, once a specialist has diagnosed you and started medication, your GP can continue prescribing under a shared-care arrangement. The Victorian government is consulting on reforms that would allow trained GPs to initiate prescribing, following Queensland's successful model.

There is no confirmed date yet. The Victorian government has signalled support for expanded GP prescribing and a reform consultation process is underway. Following Queensland's successful implementation in November 2024 and NSW's adoption in March 2026, Victoria is expected to follow with a similar model. Most observers expect reforms within 2026-2027, but no timeline has been officially committed to.

ADHD specialist wait times in Melbourne are among the longest in Australia, typically 6 to 18 months for a psychiatrist assessment, and often longer for public patients. Some private psychiatrists have wait lists exceeding 12 months. Regional Victoria faces even greater challenges with fewer specialists available. These wait times are a key driver behind the push for GP prescribing reforms in Victoria.

While waiting for a specialist appointment, you can: (1) Ask your GP for a preliminary screening using validated tools like the ASRS or a DSM-5-aligned assessment — this won't result in medication but helps build your clinical picture. (2) Try the free ADHD screener on ClientForms to understand your symptoms. (3) Explore non-medication strategies with your GP, including CBT, exercise, sleep hygiene, and workplace accommodations. (4) Consider telehealth options with interstate specialists who may have shorter wait times. (5) Join ADHD support groups in Melbourne and Victoria for peer advice.

Victorian GPs can use validated ADHD screening tools during consultations to support referrals and build clinical documentation. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) is a common screener, while more comprehensive DSM-5-aligned assessments provide detailed criterion-by-criterion evaluation. ClientForms offers auto-scored DSM-5 ADHD assessments that patients can complete before their appointment, giving GPs structured clinical data to support specialist referrals and, when reforms are enacted, to support direct diagnosis.