Information for general practitioners

 

Information for general practitioners

 

The RACGP > Faculties > RACGP Western Australia > WA ADHD GP Training Program > Information for general practitioners
Last updated 5 March 2024

Thank you for your interest in the WA ADHD GP Training Program. This initiative supports general practitioners to play a formal role in the diagnosis and management of ADHD within primary care in Western Australia.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) period for cohorts 1 and 2 closed in August 2025. WA specialist GPs interested in the program are encouraged to submit their details below to be informed as soon as the next round of EOIs open.  

submit your details 

ADHD GP Training Program structure

The current training program, developed in partnership with the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA), includes:

 
  • Two RACGP GPlearning modules
    • Module 1: Identification and Management of ADHD (90 minutes)
    • Module 2: Pharmacological Management of ADHD (120 minutes)
 
  • Six live, 90‑minute online peer‑learning sessions
    1. Deep dive into ADHD
    2. Accurate assessment and diagnosis
    3. Optimising medication – Part 1: Multimodal treatment of ADHD
    4. Optimising medication – Part 2: Starting ADHD medication
    5. ADHD with co-occurring conditions
    6. Bringing it all together
  • Access to an asynchronous support platform for case discussions, with input from psychiatric and paediatric specialists
  • Optional bridging sessions between scheduled sessions for additional support
 
  • This is optional, however encouraged whilst on the program. The model involves a non-GP specialist mentor who reviews a GP‑referred patient and discusses diagnostic reasoning and management to strengthen clinical capability.

GP Designated Stimulant Prescriber 

GPs who have completed the WA ADHD GP Training Program are permitted to apply to become GP designated stimulant prescribers, to prescribe ADHD stimulant medications within defined conditions.

 
  1. Prescribe in line with the RACGP ADHD training program.
  2. Review ScriptCheckWA prior to prescribing stimulant medicines.
  3. Prescribe for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  4. Prescribing as a designated stimulant prescriber to patients 10 years old and above.
  5. Prescribe for patients who do not require an authorisation in line with the Monitored Medicines Prescribing Code.
  6. Prescribe for patients who reside in Western Australia under this designation
  7. Prescribing stimulants in line with the designated dose limits.
 
  • Persons under 10 years of age
  • Patients with complex, high-risk, or atypical presentations that require specialist multidisciplinary assessment, intensive intervention, or management beyond the scope of primary care/shared-care arrangements.

Full exclusion criteria is provided as part of the training.


Following successful application to the Medicines and Poisons Regulation Branch, there is an initial authorised patient load of 50 patients for whom the GP is the primary prescriber. This initial limit is designed to support safe practice during early implementation, rather than to impose a fixed limit on patient access. 

Importantly, this is a graduated model - GPs can apply to increase their authorised patient load through a structured process, with approvals considered on a case-by-case basis. Decisions are informed by demonstrated clinical safety and capacity to manage additional patients. 

This approach enables the safe scaling of GP involvement in ADHD care. 

Further details on how to apply to increase patient loads will be shared once finalised. 

GPs with queries related to prescribing and patient loads are to contact the Medicines and Poisons Regulation Branch.

 
  • WA GP designated stimulant prescribers will only be permitted to initiate ADHD stimulant medication to patients residing in Western Australia. GPs are encouraged to stay informed about prescribing requirements in other jurisdictions, as part of their ongoing, self-directed professional development.

Eligibility criteria

To participate in the WA ADHD GP Training Program, applicants must:

  • Be a specialist general practitioner registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
  • Be currently practising in Western Australia and commit to providing ADHD services in WA for at least 24 months following completion of the program
  • Hold AHPRA registration with no conditions
  • Be selected through the Expression of Interest (EOI) process.

Eligibility for the program may be subject to further refinement to meet WA Health requirements and priorities.

Future cohorts (Expressions of interest)

Further details regarding potential program expansion and future cohorts are pending, subject to funding and Government approval.  
 


Interested WA specialist GPs are encouraged to submit their details below to be informed as soon as the next round of EOIs open.  

submit your details 

What can I do in the meantime?

  1. Complete the RACGP GPLearning ADHD Management Modules:
    Module 1: Identification and Management of ADHD (90 mins) 
    Module 2: Pharmacological Management of ADHD (120 mins)
    Module 3 is coming soon.


  2. Join the RACGP Specific Interest Group for ADHD, ASD and Neurodiversity


  3. Review AADPA ADHD resources including:
    ADHD guidelines
    ADHD prescribing guide
    Co-prescribing regulations in WA 

  4. Review Monitored Medicines Prescribing Code

  5. Build relationships with a willing Paediatrician or Psychiatrist and explore shared-care or co-management models

Current regulations for co-prescribing psychostimulant medication in WA

As of December 2024, WA specialist GPs can prescribe under a shared care model. This applies where:

  • The stimulant was initiated by an approved specialist
  • The patient is under ongoing treatment
  • The prescribing is consistent with written instructions or visible ScriptCheckWA history
  • The prescriber has reviewed the patient and is satisfied it is safe to continue treatment 

Under Regulation 126(2) of the Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016, the initial prescription for a S8 stimulant must be written by the approved specialist. 


A GP or Nurse Practitioner (NP) may participate in a shared care arrangement at the specialist’s request, but can only prescribe the same medication and dose specified in the specialist’s written instructions. Under the shared care arrangement, the GP or NP cannot change the medication type or formulation. Any proposed change requires review by the approved psychiatrist or paediatric specialist.

There can only be one stimulant prescriber at a time, which can be verified through ScriptCheckWA. 
 If the specialist is unavailable, a GP or NP may continue treatment independently, but only for the medication and dose originally prescribed by the specialist, as confirmed through ScriptCheckWA. 
 


Additionally, the review interval for adults over 18 has been extended from annually to no more than three years. The annual review for under 18s has not changed.  


For more information visit:

Further information

Contacts:


RACGP WA

Email: WA.faculty@racgp.org.au   

Phone: 9489 9555 

Medicines and Poisons Regulation Branch

Phone: 9222 6883
Fax: 9222 2463

Email: MPRB@health.wa.gov.au

To be informed of the next round of EOIs

submit your details