If you think you might have ADHD, one of the first practical questions is also one of the most confusing: who is actually allowed to diagnose it? In Australia the answer depends on who you see, what they’re qualified to do, and whether medication might be part of your treatment. Here’s how it works.
The short answer
In Australia, a formal ADHD diagnosis that can lead to medication is made by a psychiatrist or, for children and adolescents, a paediatrician. These are the specialists recognised to diagnose ADHD and to initiate stimulant medication. Your GP is the essential first step and gatekeeper to that care, and a psychologist can provide valuable assessment and support — but with important limits. Let’s unpack each role.
Your GP: the starting point
Almost every ADHD pathway in Australia begins with a GP. You don’t need to arrive with a diagnosis or even certainty — describing your difficulties with focus, organisation, restlessness or impulsivity is enough to start the conversation.
Your GP can review your history, rule out other explanations (thyroid problems, sleep disorders, anxiety and depression can all mimic ADHD), and, if appropriate, write a referral to a psychiatrist. That referral matters for two reasons: it’s usually required to see a psychiatrist, and it’s what unlocks Medicare rebates on your specialist consultations. Without a referral you’d pay the full private fee.
A common question is whether a GP can diagnose ADHD themselves. Traditionally, GPs in most states have not been able to formally diagnose ADHD or start stimulant medication on their own. This is beginning to change — several states are moving toward allowing suitably trained GPs to diagnose and prescribe under specific conditions — but the arrangements vary by state and are still evolving. For now, the safest assumption is that your GP refers you to a specialist for the diagnosis, and may later share ongoing prescribing once treatment is established.
Psychiatrists: diagnosis and medication
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed specialist training in mental health. For adults, a psychiatrist is the specialist who can carry out a full ADHD assessment, make a formal diagnosis, and prescribe and manage medication.
A proper ADHD assessment is not a quick quiz. It involves a detailed developmental history (ADHD symptoms must have been present since childhood), a review of your current difficulties, validated questionnaires, and consideration of other conditions that often travel with ADHD. Because psychiatrists can also prescribe, they can take you from “I think I might have ADHD” all the way through to a treatment plan in one continuous relationship.
The traditional barrier has been access: private psychiatry waitlists can stretch for months. This is exactly where telehealth helps — a video-based ADHD psychiatrist can often see you sooner, from anywhere in Australia.
Paediatricians: for children and teens
For people under 18, paediatricians are the other main specialists who diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication. The assessment principles are similar — developmental history, school input, questionnaires — but tailored to a child’s context. Adults are generally seen by psychiatrists rather than paediatricians.
Psychologists: assessment and support, not prescriptions
Psychologists play an important role, but a different one. A psychologist can conduct cognitive and psychological assessments, provide detailed reports, and deliver evidence-based therapy and strategies for managing ADHD traits. What a psychologist cannot do is prescribe medication or provide the medical diagnosis needed for a PBS authority prescription. Many people benefit from seeing both: a psychiatrist for diagnosis and medication, and a psychologist for skills and support.
What about online ADHD tests?
Free online screeners — like the ADHD self-check on this site, based on the validated ASRS — are a useful starting point. They can help you decide whether it’s worth pursuing a formal assessment and give you language to describe your experiences to your GP. But a screener is not a diagnosis. Only a qualified specialist can diagnose ADHD after a comprehensive clinical assessment.
Putting it together: the usual pathway
For most adults in Australia, the route looks like this:
- See your GP and describe what you’ve been experiencing.
- Get a referral to a psychiatrist (this enables Medicare rebates).
- Complete a psychiatric assessment — often over one to three sessions.
- Receive a diagnosis and plan, which may include medication, therapy and practical supports.
- Ongoing care is coordinated between your psychiatrist and GP.
If you’d like to understand the process in more detail, our guide on how to get an ADHD diagnosis in Australia walks through each step, and you can book a telehealth assessment once you have a referral.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Speak with your GP or psychiatrist about your individual situation.