ADHD Assessment & Diagnosis in Melbourne | Adult ADHD

If you’ve spent years struggling with focus, organisation, or restlessness — and suspect ADHD might be behind it — you’re not alone. Adult ADHD is significantly underdiagnosed in Australia, particularly in people who developed coping strategies in childhood.

At CBD Doctors Melbourne, the GPs are experienced in assessing ADHD symptoms, providing referrals for formal diagnosis, and managing ongoing medication for patients who already have a diagnosis. We offer same-day appointments at our clinic at Level 10, 53 Queen Street, Melbourne CBD, serving patients from across the CBD and inner Melbourne suburbs including Southbank, Docklands, Carlton, Fitzroy, and East Melbourne.

What is ADHD in adults?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain manages attention, impulse control, and activity levels. While it’s often thought of as a childhood diagnosis, ADHD frequently persists into adulthood — and many adults are only diagnosed later in life, sometimes after decades of unexplained difficulties at work, in relationships, or with day-to-day functioning.

ADHD in adults can present differently to the stereotype of a hyperactive child. Many adults experience primarily inattentive symptoms — difficulty sustaining focus, losing things, forgetting tasks, or feeling chronically disorganised — without obvious hyperactivity.

There are three presentations of ADHD:

Predominantly inattentive (sometimes called ADD) — difficulty with focus, organisation, and follow-through
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive — restlessness, interrupting, difficulty waiting
Combined presentation — features of both

Common adult ADHD symptoms

ADHD symptoms in adults can affect almost every area of life. Common signs include:

Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks, especially those that aren’t immediately engaging
Frequently losing items (keys, phone, wallet)
Forgetting appointments, deadlines, or commitments
Starting many tasks but struggling to finish them
Poor time management and chronic lateness
Feeling overwhelmed by ordinary tasks
Impulsive decision-making — spending, speaking, acting without thinking
Difficulty sitting still or a persistent need to keep busy
Emotional dysregulation — frustration, irritability, or low frustration tolerance
Hyperfocus on highly engaging tasks (while neglecting others)
Underachievement relative to apparent ability

Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD have been told they’re lazy, unmotivated, or not trying hard enough. In many cases, the difficulty is neurological — not a character flaw.

How is adult ADHD diagnosed in Melbourne?

In Victoria, a formal ADHD diagnosis in adults currently requires assessment by a specialist — typically a psychiatrist. The GP plays a critical first role in this pathway.

Step 1 — GP assessment and referral

Your first appointment at CBD Doctors Melbourne is a dedicated ADHD initial consultation. Your GP will:

Discuss your current symptoms and how they affect your daily life (work, study, relationships, finances)
Review your history, including any relevant childhood behaviour, school reports, or family history of ADHD
Rule out other conditions that can mimic ADHD, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, thyroid dysfunction, and iron deficiency
Complete screening questionnaires (such as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale)(patients usually do this assessment at home).
Provide a referral to a psychiatrist for formal assessment if clinically indicated

Your GP will write a referral requesting a one-off comprehensive psychiatric assessment and management plan. This referral entitles you to a Medicare rebate on the psychiatrist consultation and a written diagnostic report.

Step 2 — Psychiatric assessment

The psychiatrist will conduct a detailed clinical interview, review any questionnaires and supporting information (such as old school reports or collateral history from a partner or family member), and may use standardised assessment tools. The appointment typically takes 45–90 minutes and may be conducted in person or via telehealth.

Following the assessment, the psychiatrist will:

Confirm or rule out an ADHD diagnosis
Identify any co-existing conditions (anxiety, depression, ASD, learning difficulties)
Recommend a treatment plan
Send a written report to your GP
If prescribing stimulant medication, provide a delegation letter authorising your GP to apply for an S8 permit to continue prescribing

Step 3 — Ongoing GP management

Once a diagnosis is confirmed and your CBD Doctors Melbourne GP has received the report you will need to book a follow up appointment with your GP. Following this appointment the doctor will apply for a ‘permit’ to prescribe you the medication. From then on, GPs will work in collaboration with your psychiatrist – this is called co-prescribing.

Please be aware the permit application approval process takes about 3-4 weeks. The GP will not be able to prescribe any medication until the permit has been approved. The permit is valid for 2 years and you will need another assessment by a psychiatrist in order to continue with the treatment.

We suggest you call or email us 3 weeks after your initial appointment to see if the doctor has received the permit.

Your CBD Doctors Melbourne Doctor can manage your ongoing care — including repeat prescriptions, dose adjustments, monitoring of side effects, and annual reviews. Please note given the medication is a schedule 8 medication an appointment is required each time you require a script.

ADHD medication options in Australia

ADHD medications fall into two main categories: stimulants and non-stimulants. Most adults with ADHD respond well to stimulant medication, which is considered the first-line treatment in Australia.

Stimulant medications

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) A long-acting stimulant taken once daily, lasting 12–13 hours. Vyvanse is PBS-listed for adults diagnosed with ADHD, meaning the cost is subsidised. As of 2026, the patient co-payment is approximately $25 per script (or $7.70 for concession card holders). Generic lisdexamfetamine is now also available in Australia, with the same PBS co-payment as the brand name.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Concerta) Methylphenidate is available in immediate-release (Ritalin) and long-acting (Ritalin LA, Concerta) formulations. It is PBS-listed for ADHD. Long-acting formulations are generally preferred for adults as they provide more consistent coverage throughout the day.

Dexamfetamine (dexamphetamine) An immediate-release stimulant with a shorter duration of action (4–6 hours), requiring dosing two to three times daily. It has one of the broadest PBS listings and is the most cost-effective stimulant option in Australia — particularly useful for patients who need flexibility with timing or are on a concession card.

When both stimulant classes are trialled sequentially, response rates reach 80–90%.

Your CBD Doctors Melbourne GP can continue this management.

Non-stimulant medications

Non-stimulant options are considered when stimulants are not suitable — for example, if there is a history of substance use disorder, significant cardiovascular concerns, or intolerable side effects.

Atomoxetine (Strattera) A non-stimulant medication that works on the noradrenaline system. It is PBS-listed for ADHD in adults and takes several weeks to reach full effect. It is particularly useful when anxiety is a significant co-existing condition.

Guanfacine (Intuniv) A non-stimulant option primarily used in children and adolescents, though it may be considered in some adult cases. It can help with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation.

ADHD medication costs and Medicare

All major ADHD medications are available on the PBS in Australia, which significantly reduces costs. With a valid specialist diagnosis and an authority prescription, the patient co-payment is the same as any other PBS medication:

General patients: ~ $25 per script
Concession card holders: ~$7.70 per script

ADHD medications are Schedule 8 (S8) controlled substances in Victoria. This means your GP requires a S8 permit to prescribe — which is arranged following the psychiatrist’s delegation letter. Once in place, your GP can continue prescribing without further specialist involvement for stable patients.

A GP consultation at CBD Doctors Melbourne to discuss ADHD is covered by Medicare.

How long does it take to get an ADHD diagnosis in Melbourne?

Waitlists for adult ADHD psychiatrists in Melbourne have been long — often three to six months or more in the private system. Some telehealth psychiatry services (such as those offering item 291 assessments) have shorter wait times.

Your GP can help you navigate this by:

Providing a clear, detailed referral that is accepted by a wide range of psychiatrists and telehealth services
Recommending services with shorter current waitlists
Discussing interim strategies (sleep, exercise, routine, therapy) while you wait for a specialist appointment
Arranging a mental health care plan to access subsidised psychology if appropriate

Do I have ADHD — or is it something else?

ADHD shares symptoms with several other conditions, which is why assessment by a GP before referral is important. Conditions that can look like ADHD include:

Anxiety disorders — racing thoughts, restlessness, difficulty concentrating
Depression — low motivation, poor concentration, fatigue
Sleep disorders (especially obstructive sleep apnoea) — daytime inattention, poor memory
Iron deficiency — fatigue, poor focus, restlessness
Thyroid disorders — affects energy, mood, and cognition
Trauma and PTSD — hypervigilance, concentration difficulties

It’s also common for ADHD to co-exist with anxiety, depression, or autism spectrum disorder. A thorough GP assessment helps identify what’s going on — and ensures the right pathway is taken.

Frequently asked questions

Can a GP diagnose ADHD in Melbourne? Currently in Victoria, a formal ADHD diagnosis for adults requires a specialist (psychiatrist). However, your GP plays the essential first role: assessing your symptoms, ruling out other causes, and providing the referral. Your GP also helps with you on going management of ADHD.

Can a GP prescribe Vyvanse or Ritalin? Yes — once a psychiatrist has made the diagnosis and provided a delegation letter, your GP can apply for an S8 permit to continue prescribing stimulant medication. This means most of your ongoing ADHD care — prescriptions, dose reviews, side effect monitoring — can happen at CBD Doctors Melbourne without repeated specialist visits.

How much does an ADHD assessment cost in Melbourne? Part of the GP consultation is covered by Medicare. The specialist psychiatric attracts a Medicare rebate of approximately $350–400, but most private psychiatrists charge $600–$1,200 for the initial assessment, leaving an out-of-pocket gap. Some telehealth psychiatry services offer assessments closer to the Medicare rebate amount. Your GP can help you find the right option for your budget.

I was diagnosed with ADHD interstate — can CBD Doctors Melbourne help? Yes. If you have moved to Victoria with an existing ADHD diagnosis and are on stable medication, your GP can apply for a S8 permit to continue your prescription without needing a new assessment. Bring your previous diagnosis documentation and any specialist letters to your appointment. Please note a S8 permit application takes about 3-4 weeks until approval is received.

Can I get a Mental Health Care Plan for ADHD? Yes. And it is strongly recommended. A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from a CBD Doctors Melbourne GP can give you access to up to 10 subsidised psychology sessions per year under Medicare. Psychology can be highly effective alongside medication for ADHD — particularly for organisation strategies, emotional regulation, and any co-existing anxiety or depression.

I think my child might have ADHD — can CBD Doctors help? Your GPs can provide an initial assessment and referral for children and adolescents as well as adults. Paediatricians and child psychiatrists assess and diagnose ADHD in children in Victoria.

My doctor at CBD Doctors Melbourne is not seeing patients or is fully booked how do I get a script? Once the permit is approved for one of the doctors, any doctor at CBD Doctors Melbourne can prescribe the medication. The permit is connected to the clinic. So should your doctor not be seeing patient you are free to book an ADHD follow up consultation with any doctor at CBD Doctors Melbourne.

Book an ADHD assessment in Melbourne

CBD Doctors Melbourne is located at Level 10, 53 Queen Street, Melbourne CBD — easily accessible from across inner Melbourne including Southbank, Docklands, Carlton, Fitzroy, East Melbourne, North Melbourne, and West Melbourne. Same-day appointments are available. If you’re concerned about ADHD symptoms — whether newly noticed or long-suspected — book a consultation with one of our GPs to take the first step.

Book online by selecting the doctor you prefer and the time, then ADHD initial consultation as the reason for seeing the doctor. It is recommended that you book a long appointment, particularly after the initial assessment by a psychiatrist.

A Telehealth option is available however an initial in person consultation is recommend. If you choose the Telehealth option please note if you have not been to the clinic in the past 12 months you may not be eligible for a medicare care rebate – this is a Department of Health requirement and is not set by the clinic.

Other useful resources

Mental Health Care Plan page (MHCP for psychology support)
Women’s Health page (ADHD often presents differently and is underdiagnosed in women)
Iron Infusions page (iron deficiency is a common ADHD mimic)
Additional ADHD information

Why Choose CBD Doctors Melbourne?

Convenient CBD location – Level 10/53 Queen Street, easy access via public transport
Same-day appointments – Often available for urgent consultations
Experienced GPs – FRACGP-qualified doctors with weight management expertise
Comprehensive services – Medical assessment, prescriptions, referrals, ongoing support
Online booking – Book 24/7 via HotDoc for maximum convenience

Contact CBD Doctors Melbourne

📍 Location: Level 10/53 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

🕐 Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

💻 Online Booking: Book 24/7 via HotDoc at here. Simply select your preferred doctor and initial ADHD consultation as the reason for seeing the doctor.

ADHD Assessment & Diagnosis in Melbourne | Adult ADHD | CBD Doctors Melbourne