Queensland is preparing to introduce a new model of ADHD care that will allow specialist GPs to prescribe medication for adults, marking a shift in how the condition is managed across the state. The change, due to begin on 1 December 2025, positions Queensland as the first Australian jurisdiction to give GPs this level of involvement in adult ADHD treatment.
The Queensland Government says the new system will ease pressure on specialist services and shorten the long waits many adults currently face before receiving a diagnosis or treatment plan. According to the Government, the change is intended to create a more connected and timely pathway, particularly for people living in regional and remote communities where specialist services have been limited.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the shift reflects extensive conversations with clinicians who felt the existing model placed too much strain on both patients and the health system. He stressed that safety measures will guide the rollout and that training for GPs was a central focus during the consultation process with psychiatrists, general practitioners and other clinical groups.
Minister Nicholls said the changes are aimed at helping adults access care closer to home and with a doctor who already understands their medical history. He added that the move has strong backing from GPs who have been seeking a more active role in managing ADHD within general practice settings.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Chair, Dr Cath Hester, welcomed the decision, saying GP-led models of care are well suited to ongoing management of chronic conditions. Dr Hester said continuity of care matters for patients with ADHD and that many already rely on their GP for long-term support.
ADHD affects an estimated six to ten per cent of children and adolescents in Australia, and between two and six per cent of adults. Under current Queensland arrangements, all doctors, including specialist GPs, can prescribe ADHD medication to children aged four to seventeen. The upcoming changes extend that authority to adult patients.
While the new system has been framed by the Government as a way to repair gaps left by previous approaches, some stakeholders have called for ongoing monitoring to ensure quality standards remain consistent across the state, particularly as demand for ADHD assessment and treatment continues to grow. The Government says safeguards will remain central as the model is introduced and evaluated.
Queenslanders interested in accessing ADHD care through their GP from next year are expected to receive more detailed guidance as implementation plans are finalised.
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