Who Can Diagnose ADHD in Australia? Psychologist vs Psychiatrist vs GP

When looking to get an ADHD assessment in Australia, it can be tricky to know which provider to turn to.

Should you get a psychologist, a psychiatrist or a GP to carry out your assessment? What are the key things to consider for each? And are assessments from all providers created equal?

We’ve outlined everything you need to know below – so you can stop the mental gymnastics and make the decision that feels right for you.

Who can diagnose ADHD?

There isn’t just one avenue to go down when you’re looking to be assessed for ADHD – in Australia, both psychologists and psychiatrists are qualified to diagnose ADHD. An appropriately trained GP may also be able to do so, although this pathway is still developing and availability varies depending on where you live.

Whoever you choose, look for someone with experience assessing ADHD who takes the time to listen and understand your experiences.

What should an ADHD assessment involve?

A thorough assessment should explore your developmental history, how your symptoms affect your life, information from people who know you well where possible, and whether something else could explain or contribute to what you’re experiencing. There isn’t a separate diagnostic test that only a psychiatrist can perform.

At ADHD Therapy Australia, our online ADHD assessments for adults, children and teens are carried out by our team of registered psychologists and clinical psychologists, and include:

• A pre-screening survey

• Information from people who know you well

• A clinical interview

• A 30-minute feedback session

• A detailed written report

Clinicians use recognised diagnostic criteria, including those in the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11, to guide their assessment.

Want to know more? Read our article “How Do You Get Tested for ADHD? What an ADHD Assessment Actually Involves”.

What are some key considerations?

One important difference is medication – although psychologists can assess and diagnose ADHD, we aren’t able to prescribe medication.

If you’d like to explore medication after an assessment with us, you’ll need a separate medical appointment with a psychiatrist. We work with selected psychiatrists who use the information we’ve gathered as part of their own assessment, which means you may not need to repeat every step.

Doctors outside those we regularly collaborate with may follow their own ADHD assessment process and may not accept information gathered by psychologists. If you intend to see another doctor, we suggest checking whether they’re happy to work collaboratively with a psychologist on your ADHD assessment before booking with us.

Another thing to note is that ADHD can present differently in women, whose experiences don’t always fit the picture many people have in mind. Choosing a provider with experience in assessing and diagnosing ADHD in women can help ensure these differences are recognised and explored.

Whether or not you receive an ADHD diagnosis, your feedback session will help you make sense of what we’ve learned and explore what could help next – from therapy and everyday strategies to support at work or school.

Generally, psychologists have shorter waiting times for the initial appointment than psychiatrists. And if you’re interested in medication, you can start understanding your symptoms and accessing support while you wait for a medical appointment.

We also offer ongoing ADHD therapy after your assessment, so you can keep working with us if you’d like to.

Have questions about our psychologist-led process? Get in touch. We’ll explain what an assessment with us involves and help you understand what your next steps could look like.