Children and adults suspected of having ADHD will have access to free GP assessments in NSW for the first time, potentially saving up to $1500 per year in out-of-pocket fees.

Under the $1.5m program, 2500 people aged six and older will be able to access free consultations with a GP in early 2027.

Typically, children and adults seeking an assessment for ADHD require multiple long GP appointments, which cannot be bulk billed, or specialist care, which can cost between $500 to $1500, with large gap fees.

Premier Chris Minns said the change would make it “easier and cheaper for families” to access care.

“For many families, when times are tough every dollar counts and healthcare may not be a priority. By making these free ADHD consultations available we hope this means families won’t have to go without critical healthcare,” he said.

“This is also about expanding and using the skills of our already highly trained healthcare professionals like our GPs, our community pharmacists.”

The program was announced as part of the NSW government’s $11.7m package in the 2026-27 state budget, presented this week, to expand GP services.

Under recent reforms, specially trained GPs have been empowered to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for ADHD, which the government hopes will reduce cost pressures on families for treatment which typically required specialist care.

Since last year, more than 1400 GPs have signed up to become “continuing prescribers”, meaning they can prescribe repeat ADHD psychostimulant scripts.

As of April, a further 311 GPs across NSW had also started training to diagnose, and commence treatment for, ADHD.

In total, more than 15,000 people have accessed medication since the reforms were passed last year, according to the government, filing more than 70,000 scripts.

Health Minister Ryan Park said the reforms had already helped thousands of people and families access the care “faster and at a lower cost”.

“This investment in the Budget takes this even further, with funding for free assessments and to support more GPs coming on board,” Mr Park said.

“We are hearing time and time again about the stress and anxiety many people and their families feel whilst waiting for an ADHD diagnosis. These free assessments will make a huge difference to reducing that for thousands of people in our state.”

The NSW government has also sought to expand access to the contraceptive pill through pharmacists and improve access to virtual care and services outside the GP or hospital systems since coming to power in 2023.