From 1 December 2025, Queensland became the first state in Australia to allow specialist GPs to diagnose ADHD in adults and prescribe stimulant medication. For people on the Gold Coast who have spent years on waitlists, paying high out-of-pocket costs, or simply not knowing where to start, this is a genuinely positive change  it brings ADHD care closer to home and into general practice.

But it’s just as important to be clear about what the reform does not mean. An adult ADHD assessment is still a structured, evidence-based medical process. There are no shortcuts, no same-day diagnoses, and no instant prescriptions. What has changed is who can provide this care and how accessible it can be. At Marketplace Medical & Skin Clinic in Hope Island, our ADHD clinic offers careful, paced GP assessments for adults — and this article explains exactly how the process works.

Why an adult ADHD assessment matters

Many adults live with undiagnosed ADHD well into their twenties, thirties or beyond. Trouble concentrating, chronic disorganisation, restlessness, emotional overwhelm and recurring burnout are often brushed off as personality quirks, stress, or simply “the way I am.” Left unrecognised, these patterns can quietly affect work, study, relationships and mental health for years.

For a long time, getting an adult ADHD diagnosis in Australia meant seeing a psychiatrist — which, for many people, involved long delays and significant cost. Queensland’s reform aims to lower those barriers while keeping care safe and clinically sound. A diagnosis isn’t about putting a label on someone; it’s about understanding what’s been going on and building a plan that actually helps.

What changed in Queensland

Queensland is currently the only state where appropriately trained specialist GPs (those who have completed their fellowship) can diagnose ADHD in adults and initiate, adjust and continue stimulant medication, within existing dose limits and in line with national clinical guidelines. This allows ADHD to be managed within general practice, reducing waiting times and improving access something that matters especially for people outside major specialist hubs.

There are some real advantages to this model. Care with a regular GP is often more affordable than a specialist-only pathway, and it allows ADHD to be managed as part of whole-person care, alongside your mental health, physical health, sleep and lifestyle. Psychiatrists still play a vital role: people with complex presentations, overlapping conditions, or diagnostic uncertainty may still be referred for specialist input. You can read the official background on these changes via Queensland Health, and plain-language information about ADHD through healthdirect.

What this means if you’re in Hope Island or the northern Gold Coast

Not every GP offers ADHD assessments or prescribing. Only doctors who have undertaken the relevant training and feel confident managing ADHD under the new framework will provide this service. At our Hope Island clinic, one of our GPs has a special interest in ADHD management, and our team follows the national guidelines for assessment and prescribing.

For patients across Hope Island, Sanctuary Cove, Paradise Point, Helensvale, Coomera and Runaway Bay, this means a thorough, local assessment is now a realistic first step — without necessarily needing to travel for a specialist appointment to begin the process.

Why there’s no same-day diagnosis or prescription

This is the single most common misunderstanding about the Queensland changes, so it’s worth stating plainly: stimulant medication is never started at a first appointment even for people who have been diagnosed or taken ADHD medication before.

An adult ADHD assessment is not completed in one visit. Most people need two to three consultations, sometimes more if symptoms overlap with anxiety, depression, trauma or other neurodevelopmental conditions. The assessment usually involves:

• Standardised questionnaires, completed ahead of your appointments
• A detailed history, including how symptoms affect your daily life now and evidence that difficulties have been present since childhood
• Supporting documents where available — such as school reports, past assessments, psychology letters or previous medical records
• Collateral information, where helpful, from a partner or family member
• Ruling out other explanations, which may include blood tests or other checks

Prescribing decisions are only made once the assessment is complete and the clinical requirements have been met. This deliberate pace is what keeps medication use safe and appropriate.

If you’ve been diagnosed before

Adults with an existing ADHD diagnosis may be able to continue stimulant medication under the care of a participating GP provided their documentation meets Queensland’s requirements. Your GP will need to review previous diagnostic letters, prescriptions and relevant records before continuing treatment. It helps enormously to bring these documents with you, as it can speed the process considerably.

Starting and adjusting medication

When medication is appropriate, beginning it is a gradual, monitored process rather than a one-off event. Follow-up appointments are used to adjust the dose, monitor side effects, check blood pressure and heart rate, review sleep and appetite, and assess how well the treatment is working. Finding the right medication and dose can take time, and it’s normal for this to involve some fine-tuning. Once things are stable, reviews become less frequent and are tailored to your individual needs.

It’s also important to know that medication isn’t right for everyone, and prescribing is never guaranteed, it’s always based on clinical judgement within an evidence-based framework. Some people benefit most from non-medication strategies, and many do best with a combination of approaches.

ADHD care doesn’t end at diagnosis

A diagnosis can bring real clarity and relief, but it’s only one part of managing ADHD well. Long-term management often includes behavioural strategies, psychological support, and practical tools for routines, time management, sleep and emotional regulation. Your GP will work with you to understand how ADHD affects your particular circumstances at work, in study, and at home and adjust the plan as life changes. ADHD care works best when it’s personalised and ongoing.

What we’ll ask of you

For the process to run smoothly, patients are asked to attend their appointments, complete questionnaires before each visit, and provide any requested documents promptly. Face-to-face visits are required for diagnosis and for starting medication where appropriate. Throughout, our aim is to be open and transparent, explaining each step and setting clear expectations so you always know where things stand.

Take the first step

If you think ADHD may be affecting your life, speaking with a trained GP is a practical place to start. Marketplace Medical & Skin Clinic is located at 99–103 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island QLD 4212, serving the northern Gold Coast. Book online or call our reception team on 07 5510 9222 to ask about an adult ADHD assessment. You can also read more about our adult ADHD service.