The Minns Labor Government’s landmark ADHD reforms have helped New South Wales families save roughly $10 million each year in out-of-pocket fees to access scripts for ADHD medication, according to analysis by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
Nearly 10,000 people have avoided long wait times and expensive specialist fees, providing real cost of living relief thanks to the Minns Government’s life-changing reforms.
Under the reforms, people can access a repeat prescription for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication from their general practitioner (GP) rather than a psychiatrist, saving families anywhere between $250 to $670 per visit.
These changes have also eased pressure on the specialist system, with nearly 10,000 fewer people needing to see specialists for routine care — freeing up appointments for those with more complex needs.
Savings are expected to grow as more GPs join a growing cohort of continuation prescribers.
There are now more than 1,100 GPs across NSW able to prescribe repeat ADHD psychostimulant scripts, giving people, especially children and young people, improved and more affordable access to their medication.
The reform has also expanded access for people living in rural and regional areas of NSW, with 44 per cent of those GPs located outside of metropolitan Sydney.
As part of the Minns Government’s reforms, 311 GPs have commenced training to be able to diagnose and treat ADHD which will give even more people access to life-changing treatment.
The 311 GPs currently undergoing training are located across the state including on the Central Coast, Far West NSW, the Hunter, the Illawarra, the Mid North Coast, the Nepean and Sydney.
Applications for GPs wishing to express their interest in future training rounds remain open and GPs can apply to become a continuation prescriber at any time.
Patients looking to find an ADHD medication continuation prescriber can search here.
NSW Premier Chris Minns:
“Our landmark ADHD reforms are helping NSW families right when they need it. As cost-of-living pressures eat into household budgets, this reform is putting money back in people’s pockets.
“These reforms make sense, we’re making it easier for people to access healthcare.
“Importantly, the reforms improving access for our regional areas too, access to essential healthcare should be available to everyone, regardless of where they live.”
Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“The health system’s capacity to support people with ADHD continues to go from strength to strength, as more GPs come on board as part of our reforms.
“We know that more than 9,800 people have now avoided the long waits, high costs, and stress associated with accessing a specialist to get their scripts filled.
“This is a win for everyone, and I am so pleased to see our rural and regional GPs embracing these reforms. We heard people in those areas loud and clear when they said they needed another option and we have delivered.”
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:
“We’re changing the way people access ADHD care—more than 37,900 prescriptions already issued by GPs, getting people the care they need, faster.
“That is literally millions of dollars back in the pockets of hardworking families, who can now access scripts from their family GP for a fraction of the cost.
“We’ve been told that these reforms are life-changing and this is why. This reform is improving options for people, saving families time, money, and heartache.
“It’s also freeing up waiting rooms so that the people who actually need to see those specialists can get a spot. This is exactly the kind of common sense reform that Labor is delivering to improve access to healthcare in our state.”
RACGP NSW Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman:
“These reforms show what’s possible when governments trust GPs to deliver ongoing, high‑quality care within a safe and structured framework.
“Allowing appropriately trained GPs to prescribe ADHD medication has reduced costs for families, cut wait times, and improved access to care, particularly for children and young people.
“GPs are the right place for ongoing ADHD care for many patients. This reform has eased pressure on an overstretched specialist system while ensuring care remains coordinated, evidence‑based and centred around the patient.
“We’re particularly encouraged to see the strong uptake in rural and regional NSW. For families outside metropolitan areas, these changes are genuinely life‑changing, removing expensive travel, long waits and unnecessary barriers to care.
“The RACGP supports reforms that improve access while maintaining patient safety. Continued investment in GP training and clear clinical pathways will be essential to ensure these reforms remain sustainable and deliver long‑term benefits for patients and the health system.”