# Making ADHD Care Easier And Cheaper For More Victorians

Date: 26 Oct 2026
Released by: Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Health

## MediaRelease.co Summary

From 26 October, trained GPs in Victoria can diagnose and treat ADHD in adults and children aged six and over, removing the need to see a specialist. The Victorian Government says 150 GPs have completed training delivered by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, with clinics in places including Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura and Shepparton. Up to 163,000 Victorian children and 320,000 adults may be living with ADHD, and specialist waits can reach six to 12 months.

## Original release

From Monday, 26 October, GPs will be able to diagnose and treat ADHD in adults and children six years and over. It means Victorians will no longer need to face lengthy wait times or spend thousands of dollars to get care. 150 GPs across the state have now completed training to safely diagnose, treat and prescribe medication for ADHD. Priority was given to GPs in communities with greatest need and where people are facing barriers to healthcare. Victorians in regional and metro areas will benefit, with GPs located at clinics in every corner of the state, including: - Bairnsdale - Ballarat - Bendigo - Castlemaine - Cranbourne West - Dandenong - Footscray - Geelong - Mernda - Mildura - Ringwood - Shepparton - Sunshine West - Werribee - Wodonga The training for participating GPs was delivered by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. It covered ADHD assessment, diagnosis and treatment. GPs will also be supported by psychiatrists, paediatricians and peer learning networks for safe, high-quality care. Currently, adults can only be diagnosed and treated by a specialist, and children must see a paediatrician or psychiatrist. That means too many people facing high out-of-pocket costs and long wait times of up to six to 12 months. This change will save families time and money. It will also help people get the support they need sooner to tackle the challenges of living with ADHD. As demand for assessments grows, it will also help ease pressure on specialty areas like psychiatry and paediatrics. It’s estimated up to 163,000 Victorian children and 320,000 adults may be living with ADHD. This is all part of the Carroll Labor Government’s plan to make health care work better for families. While Jess Wilson’s Liberal-One Nation Coalition has a $40 billion cuts plan that will leave families worse off. To find a participating GP visit health.vic.gov.au/primary-care/adhd-care-in-general-practice . Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt “Getting an ADHD diagnosis shouldn’t cost thousands of dollars or up to a year of waiting for an appointment.” “We’re making it easier and cheaper for hardworking Victorians to access a timely ADHD diagnosis.”

## Key details

- Author/spokesperson: Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Health
- Published: 26 Oct 2026
- Publisher country: Australia
- Subject country/region: Victoria (Australia)

Original source: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/making-adhd-care-easier-and-cheaper-more-victorians
MediaRelease.co canonical URL: https://mediarelease.co/au/mr02323-making-adhd-care-easier-and-cheaper-for-more-victorians-26102026.html