The ADHD Foundation welcomes the Australian Government’s response to the Senate Inquiry into ADHD and appreciates its acknowledgement of the hardships caused by current healthcare system inadequacies.
Of the 15 recommendations outlined in the Senate ADHD report, the government has fully supported one, supported nine in principle, and noted five others. While budgetary constraints are acknowledged, the ADHD Foundation urges the government to move swiftly beyond “noted” and “in principle” support to full implementation of all recommendations, following the example set with Recommendation 5.
Key recommendation: Uniform prescribing rules to achieve national parity
The ADHD Foundation commends the government’s full support of Recommendation 5. Current state regulations and legislative requirements create significant challenges, particularly for individuals moving or travelling interstate.
The Foundation urges the government to expedite these reforms while also introducing a mandatory standard fee for psychiatric diagnoses to prevent exorbitant charges and exploitative practices by some clinics.
A Critical Gap: ADHD inclusion in policies and frameworks
The ADHD Foundation is committed to ensuring that ADHD is transparently included in government policies and frameworks, particularly in terms of financial support and acceptance.
However, ADHD remains notably absent from key policies such as the National Disability Advocacy Framework 2023–2025 and the Disability Advocacy Work Plan. This omission leaves individuals with ADHD largely unsupported by federal disability services, including the NDIS. The Foundation strongly urges the government to explicitly include ADHD in both the Framework and the Work Plan to ensure fair representation and support for the ADHD community.
Psychiatric and Health Professional Training: The $17.8 million allocated for upskilling health professionals and the $40.5 million RANZCP postgraduate certificate both lack ADHD-specific training. The ADHD Foundation calls for comprehensive integration of ADHD-related education and seeks clarification on how these programs will address the needs of individuals with ADHD.
Global Guidelines: The government’s response overlooks the globally recognised 2022 Australian ADHD Guideline, the most current and evidence-based standard for ADHD assessment and management. The ADHD Foundation aligns with the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association’s (AADPA) response and recommends that Recommendation 13 be updated to reflect this guideline.
Budget Allocation and Grassroots Representation
The ADHD Foundation welcomes the $361 million allocated to new mental health services through the Stronger Medicare package. However, it remains unclear how these funds will directly address ADHD-specific needs, such as tailored medication support or affordability improvements.
Additionally, the Mental Health Reform Advisory Committee does not include representatives from grassroots ADHD communities. This lack of representation leaves a critical gap in understanding the lived experiences and challenges faced by individuals and families impacted by ADHD.
“While we welcome the government’s commitment to addressing mental health challenges, the lack of clarity on ADHD-specific support in these initiatives is deeply concerning,” said Christopher Ouizeman, Director of the ADHD Foundation.
“ADHD medications and tailored support are vital for improving the quality of life for thousands of Australians. We urge the government to ensure these initiatives translate into meaningful change for those impacted by ADHD.”
Senate Report for ADHD: A Call for Action
The ADHD Foundation views the government’s response to the Senate ADHD report as an encouraging first step but emphasises that more concrete action is required.
Specifically, the Foundation calls on the government to convene a dedicated working group inclusive of ADHD community representatives, clinical experts, and policymakers to develop a transparent implementation roadmap. This roadmap should include clear deadlines, measurable outcomes, and a commitment to fully support all 15 recommendations.
This action is essential to drive the systemic changes needed to improve the quality of life for individuals with ADHD and their families.