The Victorian Greens are calling on the Victorian Labor Government to implement reforms that would allow GPs to diagnose and prescribe medication to treat ADHD, improving access and affordability for thousands of Victorians.

A Grattan Institute report found that around 1 million Australians are delaying or skipping specialist appointments due to high cost and lack of availability. Psychiatrists are at the top of the list, charging fees that are inaccessible to many Victorians, especially those on lower incomes.

To make matters worse, there are no public ADHD diagnostic services provided by Victorian health services for adults over 25. Most patients have to pay over $1000 for a private diagnostic assessment, some up to $2000.

In 2023, the Greens-initiated Federal Senate inquiry into the availability of ADHD treatment and support services in 2023 highlighted the urgent need for reforms to improve access and affordability of care.

According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, up to 480,000 children and adults living with ADHD in Victoria are unable to access diagnosis and treatment due the high out of pocket cost and lack of appointment availability.

GPs already play an important role in supporting patients who have ADHD, and are well-placed to take on the roles of assessment and prescribing. This would ensure that people have greater access to potentially life-changing care, and in a more holistic context.

These changes would bring the state in line with similar reforms in NSW, QLD, SA and WA.