ADHD Meds, Access & Equity — What Families Need Policymakers to Hear
When a politician emails you out of the blue, you don’t expect it to be about ADHD meds. But this conversation with the Honourable Rose Jackson — NSW Minister for Housing, Homelessness, Youth, Mental Health and Water — was exactly that. It was also one of the most requested interviews we’ve ever had.
After surveying over 10,000 people in the ADHD Mums community, 98% said, ‘Yes, bring her on’, and submitted thousands of questions. This blog is for those of you who prefer reading over listening — you’ll get the same information as the episode.
The Big Change in NSW: GPs Can Diagnose and Prescribe
From September this year, NSW will allow general practitioners to:
- Diagnose ADHD in patients aged 7 and over.
- Initiate treatment and prescribe medication.
- Continue prescribing for patients who already have a diagnosis.
Previously, patients had to return to a psychiatrist or paediatrician every time they needed a repeat script. That meant long wait times, high costs, and clogged specialist lists.
This change is modelled on similar systems in Queensland and Western Australia, with other states like South Australia now following suit.
Why This Matters
The shortage of ADHD specialists has been a crisis point — especially in rural and regional areas. For many families, seeing a paediatrician means travelling hours and paying hundreds (sometimes thousands) for an initial or repeat appointment.
By enabling GPs to take on diagnosis and prescribing, paediatricians and psychiatrists can focus on complex cases rather than stable patients who simply need ongoing care.
But What About the ADHD Medication Shortage?
Rose confirmed that the shortage is on the national agenda after being raised at a recent meeting of all state and federal mental health ministers.
Key points:
- It’s a global issue: Some medication components are in worldwide shortage.
- Patents limit where and how certain medications can be made.
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is working to advocate for Australia’s supply, with the possibility of scaling up domestic manufacturing.
- NSW changes will roll out in stages to help manage demand alongside supply issues.
The Rural and Regional Impact
This change could be transformational for country families:
- Local GPs will be trained and supported to diagnose and prescribe.
- The program is targeting rural areas first.
- In the first three weeks of expressions of interest, nearly 1,000 GPs signed up.
For children under 7, an initial diagnosis will still require a paediatrician due to developmental complexity — but with fewer repeat-script appointments clogging the system, paediatricians should have more time for younger and complex cases.
How to Access a GP Who Can Prescribe ADHD Meds
Right now, there’s no public list of participating GPs — but Rose agreed this is a great idea and will take it back to her team.
In the meantime:
- Ask your GP if they’ve signed up for the training.
- If they haven’t, encourage them to do so.
- If they refuse, try nearby practices or towns.
NDIS: What’s State and What’s Federal
The NDIS is entirely federal, so NSW can’t change eligibility rules or funding allocations.
However:
- Rose is willing to raise concerns directly with the Commonwealth, especially around the lack of lived experience informing policy.
- NSW is investing in foundational supports for people who aren’t eligible for the NDIS — such as early intervention, school-based supports, and behavioural assistance.
Schools and Undiagnosed Kids
Many questions focused on what happens when children are undiagnosed, unmedicated, or in the middle of a medication shortage.
NSW initiatives include:
- Wellbeing nurses in public schools to support diagnosis, treatment, and daily management.
- Flexible school funding to address local needs (e.g. behaviour support vs medication management).
- Joint meetings between health and education ministers to address ADHD impacts in schools.
- Professional development courses for teachers specifically on ADHD and neurodivergence.
The ‘Pay Twice’ Problem
Families are frustrated at being charged thousands for a reassessment when switching specialists.
While the state can’t regulate private specialist fees, the goal is to reduce reliance on specialists in the first place by:
- Expanding GP capacity.
- Reserving specialist appointments for complex or co-occurring conditions.
As more GPs are trained, the supply-and-demand imbalance should ease, which could also reduce costs.
Key Takeaways
- September 2024: NSW GPs can continue prescriptions for existing diagnoses.
- End of 2024: GPs can diagnose and initiate treatment for ages 7+.
- Under-7s still require paediatrician assessment.
- Medication shortages are being addressed at the national level, but global supply and patent issues remain.
- NSW is pushing for foundational supports outside the NDIS and better ADHD-informed training for teachers.
- Rose is open to ongoing feedback and adjustments as the system rolls out.
Related Resources
- Managing Everyday Life Kit — tools for ADHD households
- School Advocacy Kit — scripts and templates for meetings
- ADHD Diagnosis & Medication Access Guide — step-by-step guide for navigating waitlists and GP access
If you’re in NSW, now’s the time to:
- Talk to your GP about this new pathway.
- Stay on specialist waitlists until the system beds in.
- Keep raising your voice — as Rose said, politicians do listen when enough people speak up.
