NSW GPs to Start ADHD Diagnosis Training in March
11 Feb 2026
The State Government says the reform will make care more affordable and reduce long wait times for patients.
Nearly 600 GPs have already shown interest in the Government-funded training, with priority given to doctors working in areas of greatest need.
GP Dr Chris Timms, who joined NSW Health Minister Ryan Park for the announcement, called the reform “groundbreaking”. He said it could improve access to care for around 600,000 people in NSW living with ADHD.
Dr Timms said GPs are well placed to manage mild to moderate ADHD and can work alongside paediatricians or psychiatrists for more complex cases. He encouraged more GPs to take part in the training.
The course, run by NSW Health, will take between three and six months to complete. It will be offered through live sessions or self-paced online learning. Once finished, GPs will gain endorsed prescriber authority. This allows them to start, adjust and continue prescribing psychostimulant medicines such as dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate for patients aged six and older.
GPs may also be able to begin prescribing after completing certain parts of the training, before finishing the full program.
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said the change could be life changing for many people. She noted that ADHD affects up to 10% of children and 6% of adults and can be well managed by a trained GP.
This marks the second stage of ADHD reforms in NSW. In September 2025, GPs were allowed to become continuation prescribers for patients already diagnosed and stable on medication. More than 800 GPs signed up under that program, supporting over 5000 patients.
On the same day, the ACT Government announced a similar change, allowing trained GPs to continue prescribing ADHD medication for patients aged six and older who already have a diagnosis and are stable on treatment.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: NSW Government / RACGP
