Hills District guide
Where can I get tested for ADHD in Sydney? Who can diagnose adults?
You have read the checklists, seen yourself in more of them than you expected, and now you simply want to know who can give you a real answer. Knowing which door to knock on turns months of second-guessing into one clear next step and a plan you understand. In Australia, adults are diagnosed by a psychiatrist, a psychologist or, in NSW since October 2026, a GP who has completed NSW Health endorsement training. There is no reliable biological test, so diagnosis rests on a structured assessment that confirms symptoms began in childhood.
Who can diagnose ADHD in adults?
NSW Health says ADHD is currently diagnosed by a paediatrician, psychiatrist or psychologist, and that since October 2026 trained NSW GPs can also assess and diagnose ADHD in people aged 6 and over. Paediatricians see children, so for adults the realistic choices are:
- A psychiatrist, usually through a referral from your GP.
- A psychologist, who can complete a diagnostic assessment. If you then want to talk about medicine, you will need to see a doctor to start treatment.
- A GP endorsed prescriber in NSW. Under the NSW reforms, these GPs can assess and diagnose ADHD, start ADHD medicines and adjust them.
Not every GP is endorsed. GP continuation prescribers, who have been able to prescribe since 1 September 2025, look after people who are already diagnosed and stable on treatment. They do not make new diagnoses. Our guide to endorsed GPs and continuation prescribers explains the difference.
Which pathway suits you?
Each route can lead to a proper diagnosis. They differ mainly in how you get in, how long you wait and what happens afterwards.
| Pathway | How you get in | Can start medicine? | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | Referral from your GP | Yes | A GP referral to a specialist lasts 12 months from the first appointment unless noted otherwise, and you can choose where to take it. |
| Psychologist | Book directly | No, a doctor starts treatment | Useful if you want a detailed assessment first and a medicine decision later. |
| Endorsed GP (NSW) | Book with a GP who holds endorsement | Yes | Available across NSW since October 2026. Ask the practice directly whether their GP is endorsed. |
| Free NSW Health GP assessment | Referral from your regular GP | Yes | Up to 2,500 free assessments in selected practices from early 2027, with priority for people facing cost or access barriers and children in their early school years. |
For a side by side look at prices, see how much an adult ADHD assessment costs in Sydney.
How do I find an endorsed GP near me?
The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation keeps a find-a-prescriber map, and more than 300 GPs are undergoing training, with a second round expected to start in November 2026. NSW Health notes that not every participating GP is listed, so it suggests talking to your regular GP first. It also says it is best to receive all your care with one GP.
In West Pennant Hills, Dr Jaspreet Saini has held NSW Health endorsement since October 2026 and sees adults for a two-visit adult ADHD assessment at the practice on Castle Hill Road. You do not need a referral to book.
Before you book
If you are hoping for one of the free NSW Health assessments in 2027, you will need a referral from your regular GP, so it is worth raising it at your next visit.
What happens in an adult ADHD assessment?
Whoever you see, the core is similar. Healthdirect describes clinical interviews plus medical and psychological assessment, and your doctor may speak with family members, a partner or teachers. NSW Health adds that rating scales and questionnaires are commonly used.
To make a diagnosis, symptoms need to have lasted more than 6 months, been present before age 12 and caused real difficulty in at least 2 settings, such as work and home. For adults, it has to be established that symptoms began in childhood, so school reports help.
A proper assessment also looks for other explanations. Healthdirect notes there can be other reasons for being inattentive or impulsive, and that anxiety, depression and sleep disorders are linked with ADHD. That is why a careful history matters.
What to bring
Old school reports, a list of your medicines and supplements, notes on how your symptoms affect work and home, and if possible someone who knew you as a child.
Can I be assessed online?
Many services offer video consultations, but Ahpra reminds patients that virtual care does not replace face-to-face care, that prescribing is generally safest when you have seen the practitioner in person before, and that consultations by email or text message may not provide good care. Check that whoever you see is a registered practitioner.
What does it cost at a Hills District practice?
ADHD appointments at Rosedale are privately billed. Current fees:
| Assessment | Who you see | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Adult assessment, age 18 and over | Dr Jaspreet Saini | $1,202.45 |
| Child and adolescent assessment, age 17 and under | Psychologist-led with Niro Wanigatunga | $1,452.45 (no Medicare rebate) |
See the full fees page for every ADHD appointment type. Prices include HotDoc’s $2.45 booking fee.
Key points
- Adults can be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, a psychologist or, in NSW since October 2026, an endorsed GP.
- Continuation prescribers manage existing diagnoses. They do not diagnose.
- There is no single test. Diagnosis needs symptoms that began before age 12 and affect at least 2 areas of life.
- Free NSW Health GP assessments start in early 2027 and need a referral from your regular GP.
- Bring school reports and, if you can, someone who knew you as a child.
Frequently asked questions
Can my GP diagnose ADHD in NSW?
Only if your GP is an endorsed prescriber. NSW Health says trained GPs can assess and diagnose ADHD since October 2026. Continuation prescribers cannot make a new diagnosis.
Do I need a referral to get tested for ADHD?
It depends on the pathway. Psychiatrists are usually seen with a GP referral, and the free NSW Health GP assessments from early 2027 need a referral from your regular GP. Some practices, including Rosedale, take adult bookings without a referral.
Can a psychologist diagnose ADHD?
Yes. NSW Health lists psychologists among the clinicians who diagnose ADHD. If medicine is then considered, a doctor needs to start it.
Is there a free ADHD assessment in NSW?
From early 2027, NSW Health will fund up to 2,500 free assessments with trained GP endorsed prescribers in selected practices, for people aged 6 and over, with no gap payment.
What should I bring to an ADHD assessment?
School reports, a medicine list and notes on how symptoms affect daily life. Information from a parent, partner or someone who knew you as a child is also helpful.
Ready to take the next step?
We have looked after West Pennant Hills and the Hills District since 1997. If you would like to start with a GP, book an appointment and we will talk through which pathway fits you.
Book your appointment →Or call02 9680 9644
Sources
- NSW Health: ADHD (current as at 22 September 2026)
- NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation: ADHD in general practice, consumers (updated 30 June 2026)
- NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation: ADHD in general practice, clinicians (updated 21 September 2026)
- NSW Government: GPs to provide up to 2,500 free ADHD consultations (29 June 2026)
- Healthdirect: ADHD (last reviewed December 2025)
- Services Australia: Referrals for specialist treatment (updated 15 August 2025)
- Ahpra: Information for people about virtual care (reviewed 15 September 2026)
- Rosedale Medical Practice fees