ADHD Diagnosis NSW: A Practical Guide for Australians
Last updated 29 October 2026 · 8 min read · By Sarah M., Support Coordinator
In short
In NSW, an ADHD diagnosis is made by an appropriately trained and credentialled clinician, such as a paediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist or a specially trained GP. A smaller number of endorsed GPs are being trained to diagnose ADHD and start medicines for people aged 6 years and above. This guide sits under our overview of what ADHD is.
Key points
An ADHD diagnosis in NSW, as elsewhere in Australia, needs a thorough assessment; rating scales can assist but should not be used alone.
NSW is training endorsed GP prescribers to diagnose ADHD and start medicines for people aged 6 years and above.
From early 2027, NSW Health will fund up to 2,500 ADHD assessments by trained GPs, with no gap payments for patients.
Rules for prescribing ADHD medicines differ between NSW, Queensland, Victoria and WA, so check the rules in your state.
ADHD diagnosis in NSW at a glance
Who diagnoses
Children: usually a paediatrician or a child psychiatrist or psychologist. Adults: a trained clinician, including some endorsed GPs
Who is involved in NSW
NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) runs the ADHD in general practice project
Cost
Fees vary by clinician; from early 2027 NSW Health will fund up to 2,500 GP assessments with no gap payments
Interview length
A detailed clinical interview may take between 2 and 3 hours
How to start
For an ADHD diagnosis NSW residents can start with their GP and ask about a referral or an endorsed GP prescriber
Support line
healthdirect 1800 022 222 (NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
ADHD diagnosis in NSW: who can get one
Anyone who thinks ADHD may affect their daily life can ask for an assessment, and the clinician decides whether the criteria are met.
Children: are usually diagnosed by a paediatrician or a child psychiatrist or psychologist (healthdirect).
Adults: diagnosing ADHD in adults requires evidence that symptoms began in childhood, and school reports may be requested.
People with symptoms in several settings: the AADPA diagnosis checklist asks for evidence of symptoms before age 12 years, present for at least 6 months, and causing impairment in at least two settings such as home, school or work (AADPA checklist).
How common ADHD is: ADHD is common, with around 6-8% of children and 3-5% of adults in Australia having it, which is more than 1 million Australians (Australian ADHD Guideline GP factsheet).
How to get diagnosed with ADHD in NSW
These steps are a general guide, and your clinician may adjust them to your situation.
1Write down your examples. Note when attention, impulsivity or restlessness caused problems at home, work or school, and for how long.
2Collect old records. Bring school reports, earlier assessments and anything a family member can recall from childhood.
3Book a long GP appointment. Ask for a referral, or whether an endorsed GP prescriber near you can assess you, using the NSW find a prescriber page.
4Attend the clinical interview. A thorough assessment is needed, and a detailed interview may take between 2 and 3 hours (Australian ADHD Guideline).
5Ask for the findings in writing. Discuss what the outcome means, what supports exist and who will follow up with you.
The guideline notes that direct observation, neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging and EEG did not increase the accuracy of diagnosis. Rating scales can assist but should not be used alone (clinician factsheet).
ADHD diagnosis in NSW through general practice
NSW Health is changing what GPs can do, so the path to an ADHD diagnosis NSW residents follow can include an endorsed GP.
Endorsed GP prescribers: a smaller number of GPs are being trained to diagnose ADHD and start medicines for people aged 6 years and above; about 300 spots were offered in the first round, with a second round expected to start in November 2026 (NSW ACI).
Continuation prescribing: from 1 September 2025, GPs granted continuation prescriber status can issue psychostimulant prescriptions for previously diagnosed and stabilised patients aged 6 years and above, after completing a training course accepted by the NSW Ministry of Health.
Funded assessments: from early 2027, NSW Health will fund up to 2,500 ADHD assessments by trained GPs, with no gap payments for patients (NSW ACI FAQs).
Controlled medicines: NSW Health lists ADHD stimulant medicines as Schedule 8, which have a recognised therapeutic need but also a high risk of misuse, abuse and dependence (NSW Health).
Looking for NDIS support at home?
TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.
ADHD diagnosis in NSW compared with WA and other states
Each state sets its own rules for who can prescribe ADHD stimulants, and these rules change, so check the state health page before booking.
State
What the state health department says
NSW
Endorsed GP prescribers are being trained for people aged 6 years and above; continuation prescribing from 1 September 2025.
Queensland
From 1 December 2025, all specialist GPs can initiate, modify and continue psychostimulants for adults with ADHD; paediatricians’ authorisations are being extended to ages 18 to 24 (Queensland Health).
Victoria
From 14 October 2026, permit exceptions were expanded for ADHD practitioners in specified circumstances and for GPs or nurse practitioners acting under a valid ADHD treatment instruction (Department of Health, Victoria).
WA
GPs with extra training and individual designation can initiate S8 stimulant treatment for eligible patients aged 10 years and over; only one stimulant prescriber may prescribe for each patient at a time (WA Health).
Other states and territories
Check with your state or territory health department.
The ADHD diagnosis NSW clinicians give you is a starting point for understanding yourself and asking for the right support.
Keep your report handy: keep a copy of the written findings so you can share them with new clinicians if you choose.
Ask about all options: talk to your GP, psychiatrist or pharmacist about what supports and treatments suit you, and never start, stop or share medicine without advice.
Call for advice: healthdirect on 1800 022 222 has registered nurses available 24 hours a day, and healthdirect lists the ADHD Foundation on 1300 39 39 19 for ADHD support.
Raise it with your GP if any of these sound familiar.
Attention, organisation or restlessness has affected school, work or relationships for a long time.
A child’s teacher or family has repeatedly raised concerns about focus or impulsive behaviour.
You have symptoms that began in childhood and continue into adult life.
Anxiety, low mood or exhaustion is building and you want to understand what sits behind it.
If you feel unsafe, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, and call 000 in an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger.
Looking for NDIS support at home?
TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.
Once you have your findings, think about the daily help that makes life easier. At TQN Care, we provide support workers for personal care, community access, respite and help around the home, and we can work alongside your clinicians’ advice. Explore our NDIS services or talk with us about what everyday support could look like.
SM
Sarah M., Support CoordinatorTQN Care is a registered NDIS provider supporting people across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC).
Common questions
FAQs about ADHD diagnosis in NSW
How to get diagnosed with ADHD in NSW? +
Book a long appointment with your GP, bring examples and old school reports, and ask for a referral or an endorsed GP prescriber. A thorough assessment by an appropriately trained clinician is needed, and the interview may take between 2 and 3 hours.
Can a GP diagnose ADHD in NSW? +
A smaller number of endorsed GP prescribers are being trained in NSW to diagnose ADHD and start medicines for people aged 6 years and above. Not every GP is endorsed, so check the NSW find a prescriber page, or for an ADHD diagnosis NSW GPs outside the program can refer you to a specialist.
Is an ADHD assessment free in NSW? +
Fees vary by clinician. From early 2027, NSW Health will fund up to 2,500 ADHD assessments by GPs trained to diagnose and treat ADHD, with no gap payments for patients. Before that, ask the clinician for the fee in writing.
Is the process the same in WA? +
WA has its own medicine rules. There, GPs with extra training and individual designation can initiate S8 stimulant treatment for eligible patients aged 10 years and over. A thorough assessment by an appropriately trained clinician is still needed to diagnose ADHD, so talk to your GP about local options.