2025-06-17
The Victorian Greens are calling on the Victorian Labor Government to implement reforms that would allow GPs to diagnose and prescribe medication to treat ADHD, improving access and affordability for thousands of Victorians.
A Grattan Institute report released this week found that around 1 million Australians are delaying or skipping specialist appointments due to high cost and lack of availability. Psychiatrists are at the top of the list, charging fees that are inaccessible to many Victorians, especially those on lower incomes.
To make matters worse, there are no public ADHD diagnostic services provided by Victorian health services for adults over 25. Most patients have to pay over $1000 for a private diagnostic assessment, some up to $2000.
In 2023, the Greens-initiated Federal Senate inquiry into the availability of ADHD treatment and support services in 2023 highlighted the urgent need for reforms to improve access and affordability of care.
According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, up to 480,000 children and adults living with ADHD in Victoria are unable to access diagnosis and treatment due the high out of pocket cost and lack of appointment availability.
GPs already play an important role in supporting patients who have ADHD, and are well-placed to take on the roles of assessment and prescribing. This would ensure that people have greater access to potentially life-changing care, and in a more holistic context.
These changes would bring the state in line with similar reforms in NSW, QLD, and WA.
The Greens are urging the Victorian Labor Government to act to ensure people are receiving the care they deserve, regardless of where they live or what they earn.
Quotes attributable to Dr Sarah Mansfield MP, Victorian Greens Spokesperson for Mental Health:
“GPs already provide important care supporting people living with ADHD, and are well-placed to have an expanded role in diagnosis and prescribing.
“The high demand and low availability of psychiatrists, especially in regional Victoria, means that many people living with ADHD are getting left behind. Access to care shouldn’t depend on your postcode or income.
“Expanding the role of GPs would provide more accessible support to help people living with ADHD thrive and free up specialist psychiatric appointments to provide other care.”
“The Greens will continue to advocate for immediate and meaningful changes to improve the lives of people with ADHD.”