South Australia has simplified its ADHD treatment process, allowing GPs to prescribe stimulant medications without individual state approval, aiming to reduce delays and improve access for patients while maintaining safety measures.
South Australia has moved to make ADHD treatment easier to access by scrapping a key approval step for doctors prescribing stimulant medicines, a change the state government says should cut delays for patients while keeping monitoring safeguards in place. Under the revised controlled substances rules, doctors, including specially trained GPs, will no longer need individual state authorisation for most ADHD prescriptions involving Schedule 8 stimulant medicines, which remain closely regulated because of their potential for misuse and dependence.
The reform builds on a broader push to widen access to ADHD care beyond psychiatrists and paediatricians. According to the ABC, about 100 South Australian GPs had already completed specialist training by April to diagnose and treat ADHD in patients aged eight and over, with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners planning to train another 100 doctors by the end of 2026, particularly in regional areas where services are thinner on the ground.
The government first signalled the changes in 2025 and said the new model would come into effect in 2026. It is designed to reduce waiting times and lower costs for families who have struggled to secure specialist appointments, while real-time prescription monitoring through ScriptCheckSA remains in place. The state says the approach brings South Australia more closely into line with other jurisdictions without weakening oversight.
The shift comes amid rising demand for ADHD assessments and treatment. The ABC reported that some patients have already found the GP pathway quicker and cheaper than seeing a psychiatrist, while the RACGP has said access remains uneven, particularly outside the major cities. The college has also backed the broader reform, but psychiatrists have stressed that people with complex needs will still require specialist care. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect attention, impulse control and activity levels, and anyone seeking assessment or medication changes should consult an appropriately qualified health professional.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
