GP ADHD Prescribing in Western Australia

Start with the WA Health ADHD GP Program practice list. Ask the practice if it accepts new patients, which ages it sees, and about appointment availability and costs.

WA Health designates trained GPs to assess and diagnose ADHD and start treatment for eligible patients aged 10 and over. Practices may set narrower age limits. The WA Health list gives the current practice details. A GP can advise when specialist care is appropriate.

Participating accredited GPs prescribe ADHD stimulants within WA authorisation and clinical requirements. WA Health describes an initial limit of 50 patients for whom a GP is the primary prescriber; shared-care patients are excluded from that limit, and GPs can apply to increase it. Training participation alone is not proof of completed accreditation.

The Stimulant Regulatory Scheme (SRS) is Western Australia's regulatory framework for managing the prescribing of Schedule 8 stimulant medications, including methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine. The SRS remains in place — trained GPs gain authorisation to prescribe within it, rather than bypassing it. The scheme requires prescribers to be authorised by the WA Department of Health and mandates specific record-keeping, patient monitoring, and reporting requirements. ScriptCheckWA provides voluntary real-time prescription monitoring as an additional safeguard.

Availability depends on the practice and assessment pathway. Use the WA Health practice list to find a trained GP and ask about appointments, eligible ages and fees. Your GP can discuss specialist referral options if needed.

The WA Government funded $1.3 million for RACGP-developed ADHD training. The program includes online learning modules, a mandatory 6-month co-management period with specialist mentorship from paediatricians and psychiatrists, monthly peer-learning sessions, asynchronous case discussions, and access to AADPA clinical guidelines. This 6-month co-management model is unique to WA — no other Australian state requires this extended supervised practice period. 65 GPs from both rural and metro locations were trained in the initial cohort.

Yes, if the GP is trained, accredited and appropriately authorised. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a Schedule 8 stimulant covered by the WA Stimulant Regulatory Scheme, alongside methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta). Trained WA GPs prescribe it within the SRS for patients aged 10 and older; untrained GPs cannot initiate stimulant prescriptions but can continue treatment under shared-care arrangements once a trained prescriber has started it.

If your GP is trained, accredited and appropriately authorised, they can now independently diagnose and prescribe ADHD stimulant medication for patients aged 10 years and older. These GPs completed the RACGP training program and a 6-month co-management period with specialist mentorship. If your GP has not completed the training, they can still refer you to a trained GP or specialist, and can participate in shared-care continuation once treatment is initiated. Non-stimulant medications (e.g. atomoxetine) can be prescribed by any GP with fewer restrictions.