Evolving Trends in ADHD in Australia
09 Sep 2025
Growing recognition of the need for better care for people with ADHD, says Associate Professor John Kramer.
Access to care for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Australia has long faced major challenges. GPs were largely excluded from diagnosing and managing ADHD, while there were too few paediatricians and psychiatrists to assess patients and prescribe medications. Public hospital psychiatry also had limited capacity to support financially or socially disadvantaged neurodiverse populations. Even where paediatric outpatient care existed, waiting times often stretched to 12–18 months.
The first major step toward reform came with a 2019 Deloitte study revealing that ADHD costs Australia $20.6 billion annually. Following this, the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA), funded by the Commonwealth, developed the National Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of ADHD in Australia, adapting the UK’s NICE guidelines to reflect Australian research and context. The guidelines were launched in 2022, providing clear direction for clinicians and high-quality information for patients and families.
Social media played a role in spreading awareness about ADHD, despite challenges with misinformation and misconceptions. Many paediatricians and psychiatrists lacked ADHD-specific training, contributing to misunderstandings about the condition, which affects up to 10% of the population.
The RACGP established a Specific Interests Group for ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Neurodiversity in 2021, with Adjunct Associate Professor John Kramer as inaugural Chair. In 2024, AADPA released a self-funded prescribing guide for ADHD medications, providing an essential tool for clinicians.
Several reforms have begun to expand GP involvement in ADHD care. Queensland allowed GPs to initiate stimulant treatments for children and adolescents from 2017, setting a precedent. In 2025, the Western Australian government implemented similar changes, supported by GP education on ADHD. New South Wales followed with a target of training 1,000 GPs by December 2025. Tasmania, South Australia, and the ACT have also introduced reforms, with Victoria and the Northern Territory expected to follow.
These reforms mark the start of a broader shift in ADHD care, making it more accessible, timely, and integrated into primary care. With continued advocacy, education, and guideline implementation, the hope is to improve outcomes for children, adolescents, and adults living with ADHD across Australia.
Source: Adjunct Associate Professor John Kramer, RACGP Specific Interests ADHD, ASD and Neurodiversity
