From 1 September 2025, new NSW Health rules changed how ongoing ADHD prescriptions are managed in general practice — and for many patients already on a stable treatment plan, this means their GP may now be able to handle continuing prescriptions directly. At Shire Family Medical in Sutherland, ADHD continuing care is available for eligible patients aged 6 and older with an existing diagnosis, working within the NSW continuation prescriber framework that came into effect as part of these reforms.
If you or someone in your family has an established ADHD diagnosis and has been wondering what role your GP can now play, this article explains how the NSW system works, who qualifies, what to bring, and how to find an authorised prescriber near you.
Can a GP Prescribe ADHD Medication in NSW?
Yes — under reforms that took effect on 1 September 2025, a GP in NSW who holds continuation prescriber authority can prescribe ADHD medication for eligible patients aged 6 years and older who have an established diagnosis and are stable on their current treatment. This is a meaningful change in how ADHD care is structured in NSW, and it has expanded access to continuing prescriptions through general practice for many patients across the state.
Before these reforms, ongoing ADHD prescriptions in NSW generally required ongoing specialist involvement. The NSW Government ADHD reforms, coordinated by the Agency for Clinical Innovation, introduced the continuation prescriber framework specifically to improve access and allow GPs to take on this role within a structured, authorised process — without replacing the specialist’s role in diagnosis and initial treatment.
What Is a Continuation Prescriber?
A continuation prescriber is a GP who has applied for and been granted the authority under NSW Health rules to prescribe psychostimulant medicines for eligible patients with an established ADHD diagnosis. Not every GP in NSW will hold this authority — it requires formal application to the NSW Ministry of Health Pharmaceutical Services Unit, and individual GPs make their own decisions about whether to take on this prescribing role.
GPs who are authorised continuation prescribers can prescribe the full range of medications used in ADHD management, including both psychostimulant medicines and non-stimulant options. Prescriptions issued by a GP continuation prescriber are valid for up to six months — the same as those issued by a psychiatrist or paediatrician.
Who Qualifies for GP-Led Continuing Prescriptions?
GP-led ongoing prescribing under the NSW framework is available to patients who meet all of the following:
- Aged 6 years or older
- Have an existing ADHD diagnosis from a specialist — typically a psychiatrist or paediatrician
- Are already on an established treatment plan and stable on their current medication
- Are seeing a GP who holds continuation prescriber authority
This means GP-led continuing prescriptions are for patients already within the ADHD care system — not for new assessments or first-time diagnoses. The initial diagnosis and the commencement of treatment must still come from a specialist, at least during the current stage of the NSW reforms.
How to Find an Authorised ADHD Prescriber in NSW
Not every GP in NSW has applied for continuation prescriber authority — some may be registered but not taking new ADHD patients, while others may still refer patients to their specialist for every script. Checking ahead of any appointment is always worth doing.
The Agency for Clinical Innovation maintains an interactive map of NSW GP practices with authorised ADHD prescribers, searchable by suburb or postcode. Note that not all participating GPs have consented to be listed, so contacting a practice directly remains the most reliable approach. If you are having difficulty finding a practice, healthdirect (1800 022 222) can assist.
Shire Family Medical, a GP medical centre at 154 Flora Street, Sutherland, supports eligible patients through its ADHD Management service — which is focused on continuing care and ongoing prescriptions for patients with existing treatment plans.
What Does a GP ADHD Review Involve?
A GP ADHD review is not simply a repeat-prescription visit. It is a structured clinical consultation that gives the doctor an opportunity to assess whether the current treatment plan is still appropriate, well tolerated, and matched to the patient’s needs at this point in their life.
During a review, a GP may assess:
- Current medication details — dose, timing, and how consistently it is being taken
- Whether symptoms are stable, improving, or changing
- Side effects, including changes to sleep, appetite, mood, weight or pulse
- Physical observations such as blood pressure, pulse and weight where clinically relevant
- Functioning at school, work, study or home
- Mental health, including anxiety, low mood or emotional wellbeing
- Other medications, supplements or health changes
- Whether documentation is current and whether specialist review may be due
For children and teenagers, a parent or carer will often attend and may bring school reports, teacher feedback or notes about behaviour, concentration and sleep. For adults, the review may include discussion of work performance, sleep, stress and cardiovascular health.
The 6-Monthly Review Requirement
Under the NSW continuation prescriber framework, patients receiving ongoing ADHD prescriptions — whether from a GP or a non-GP specialist — are required to have an in-person clinical review at least every 6 months. This is not purely administrative. It is a clinical safeguard that ensures treatment remains appropriate, side effects are identified early, and care stays connected to the patient’s broader health picture.
The 6-monthly review is also an opportunity to update documentation, discuss concerns, revisit goals and, where needed, refer to a specialist. For patients whose needs are changing — because of a new stage of life, a change in circumstances, or emerging side effects — this regular check-in is where those concerns can be addressed. Our article on ADHD medication reviews and ongoing care goes into more detail on what these appointments typically cover.
What to Bring to a GP ADHD Appointment
Bringing the right documentation to a GP ADHD review makes the appointment more useful and helps ensure prescribing decisions are well supported by clinical context. This is especially important if the GP has not previously managed your ADHD care.
Useful items to bring include:
- Your original ADHD diagnosis report, if available
- A current letter or management plan from your psychiatrist, paediatrician or previous treating doctor
- Current medication details — name, dose and timing
- Recent prescriptions or medication packaging
- Any authority or approval documentation you have received
- A list of other medications and supplements
- Notes about symptoms, side effects or concerns since your last review
For children and teenagers, parents can also bring school reports, teacher feedback, learning-support documentation or any specialist correspondence. If your specialist letter is several years old, or your dose has changed since it was written, contact your specialist’s office for an updated letter before booking — an outdated letter is one of the more common reasons a first appointment is deferred rather than completed on the day.
When a Specialist Is Still Required
GP-led continuing care works well when a diagnosis is clearly documented, the medication plan is stable, and the patient’s situation is straightforward. There are situations, however, where specialist involvement remains the appropriate next step:
- The ADHD diagnosis is unclear, undocumented or not well supported by a current assessment
- Medication is being started for the first time — this still requires specialist initiation at present
- Significant or concerning side effects need specialist review
- The clinical picture is complex, or there are significant co-occurring mental health conditions
- Medication changes are needed outside the scope of the GP’s continuing prescriber authority
- The patient has not been reviewed for an extended period
Identifying when specialist input is the right call is itself part of safe, responsible GP care. The shared care model — where a GP manages ongoing prescriptions and a specialist provides periodic review or steps in when needed — is a well-established arrangement in NSW that these reforms support and formalise.
ADHD Care Across Different Life Stages
ADHD care often changes as people move through life. The needs of a primary school child are different from those of a teenager navigating exams, a young adult beginning work, or a parent managing multiple responsibilities. A GP’s role in ADHD care can adapt to these changes in a way that episodic specialist care may not.
For younger patients, ADHD management can sit alongside paediatric GP care. Paediatric GP care at Shire Family Medical supports children and families across all ages, including families navigating ongoing ADHD management within the broader context of a child’s health and development.
For adults, ongoing care may connect with cardiovascular health, sleep, mental health and the practical demands of work and family life. A GP who has seen a patient across different stages is well placed to hold that broader picture — not just the prescription.
What Is Coming Next in NSW
The continuation prescriber framework is the first stage of a broader NSW ADHD reform. A second stage will introduce endorsed prescribers — GPs who have completed specialised training and will be able to assess, diagnose and commence ADHD treatment in some situations, without requiring an initial specialist assessment. Around 300 GPs began endorsed prescriber training from mid-March 2026, with completion expected between September and October 2026, initially targeting priority areas including rural and regional locations and Aboriginal community-controlled health settings.
These changes reflect a deliberate shift in NSW toward integrating ADHD care more fully into general practice. For patients in Sutherland and across the Sutherland Shire, having a regular GP who can manage ongoing ADHD care within the same practice — connected to the rest of their health history — offers real continuity.
If you have questions about ADHD continuing care or whether you may be eligible for GP-led ongoing prescriptions in NSW, speaking with your doctor is the best place to start.
Learn more about ADHD Management at Shire Family Medical →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a GP prescribe ADHD medication in NSW?
Yes. From 1 September 2025, GPs in NSW who hold continuation prescriber authority can prescribe ADHD medication — including psychostimulant medicines — for eligible patients aged 6 years and older who have an established ADHD diagnosis and are stable on their current medication. Not every GP in NSW holds this authority, so it is worth checking with the practice before booking an appointment.
Do I still need a psychiatrist or paediatrician for ADHD in NSW?
For the diagnosis itself, yes. ADHD must still be initially diagnosed by a specialist such as a psychiatrist or paediatrician. Once a diagnosis is established and a patient is stable on medication, an authorised continuation prescriber GP can manage ongoing prescriptions. In complex cases, or when medication changes are needed, a GP may still refer back to a specialist.
How do I find a GP with continuation prescriber authority in NSW?
The Agency for Clinical Innovation maintains an interactive map of NSW practices with authorised ADHD continuation prescribers, searchable by suburb or postcode. Visit the ACI ADHD prescriber finder to search by your location. Not all participating GPs have consented to be listed, so contacting practices directly is also worthwhile. Healthdirect (1800 022 222) can assist if you are having difficulty locating a practice.
How often do I need a review for my ADHD medication?
Under the NSW continuation prescriber framework, patients receiving ongoing ADHD prescriptions — whether from a GP or a non-GP specialist — are required to have an in-person clinical review at least every 6 months. ADHD prescriptions issued by a GP continuation prescriber are valid for up to 6 months from the date of issue.
What should I bring to a GP ADHD review?
Bring your original ADHD diagnosis report if available, a current letter or management plan from your specialist, current medication details and dose, recent prescriptions, any authority documentation, a list of other medications and supplements, and notes about symptoms or side effects since your last review. For children and teenagers, school reports or teacher feedback can also be useful.
Is ADHD medication from a GP covered by the PBS?
Yes. ADHD medications prescribed by an authorised continuation prescriber GP in NSW are eligible for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), provided the PBS criteria for the specific medication and indication are met. This is the same PBS access that applies to prescriptions from a non-GP specialist such as a psychiatrist or paediatrician.
What is the difference between a continuation prescriber and an endorsed prescriber?
A continuation prescriber is a GP in NSW with authority to prescribe ongoing ADHD medications for patients who already have an established diagnosis and are stable on medication. An endorsed prescriber — the next stage of the NSW ADHD reforms, with training underway from mid-2026 — is a GP trained to assess, diagnose and commence ADHD treatment in some situations without requiring an initial specialist assessment. Both are part of the NSW Government’s plan to expand ADHD care through general practice.
This article provides general health information only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Any treatment, test, procedure or vaccination mentioned is for illustrative purposes only — suitability depends on individual circumstances and assessment by a qualified health professional. Medical information can change; always speak with your GP about your specific symptoms, health history and care options. In an emergency, call 000.
