The state government has announced training funding to get the promised ADHD reforms underway.
Following Queensland, Victoria is the latest state to officially announce its roadmap for integrating general practice into ADHD care.
This comes after repeated calls for reform in this space, with the state government first announcing its intention to integrate GPs into ADHD care last year.
Currently, only psychiatrists are permitted to diagnose and prescribe medication for the condition. These reforms allow GPs to receive training for the clearance to do so.
So far, the Victorian government has pledged $750,000 to deliver accredited training for up to 150 GPs by September this year, with said GPs also receiving training in non-medication care options.
The government said this will increase access to the care, with the current average price for comprehensive assessments running upwards of $2000.
“It’s obviously a win for Victorians living with ADHD, it will improve best care, and it will reduce wait times and obviously costs specific to Victoria,” RACGP Victoria co-deputy chair Dr Aadhil Aziz told The Medical Republic.
“The states have their own legislature and regulations. That’s why we have to do it state by state.
“The more states that are doing the same or similar things will mean that we’re going to have better harmonisation for patients across Australia, and that will help.”
The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) also welcomed the reforms, emphasising that the training investments provided clear pathways for specialist care.
Victoria’s mandating of additional training differs from Queensland’s approach, which requires no additional training for GPs to treat ADHD. The Queensland approach was criticised by the RANZCP.
“Our GP colleagues play a vital role as the initial point of contact for people with ADHD. With appropriate training and support, they can manage many ADHD presentations, providing much-needed relief to Victorians unable to obtain diagnosis or treatment from a psychiatrist or paediatrician due to workforce shortages and lengthy waitlists,” RANZCP Victoria chair Associate Professor Simon Stafrace said.
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“The RANZCP supports reforms aimed at reducing long waiting times and high out-of-pocket costs for individuals and families who have long struggled to access timely ADHD care and welcomes the Victorian Government announcement.”
The RACGP already established an ADHD prescribing guide as part of GP training back in 2024, with the newly funded training expected to add to it.
The funding allocation was met with some concern by the RACGP in terms of its long-term viability and adequacy to address the state’s needs.
“It’s not enough, but I think it’s a good way to get the conversation started to what is required and how much this can help us,” Dr Aziz told TMR.
“We’ve been managing ADHD for a very long time, especially those with a special interest, and just having that little bit more of the ability to diagnose them ourselves and then do that end-to-end care is important.
“We will work in harmony with our psychiatry colleagues and psychology colleagues as well.”
