ADHD response probed
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The government’s ADHD response offers recognition but little relief for those still struggling.
The Australian Government has unveiled its long-awaited response to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee’s report on ADHD assessment and support services.
While it acknowledges the systemic challenges faced by Australians with ADHD, experts and advocates have criticised the lack of significant new measures or funding, arguing that the response falls short of addressing the pressing needs of individuals and families.
The Senate inquiry, launched in early 2023, highlighted numerous barriers to accessing ADHD diagnosis, treatment, and support.
Its final report, tabled in November 2023, included 15 recommendations for reforms aimed at improving access to healthcare, standardising prescribing rules across states, and increasing public awareness.
The government has supported many of these recommendations in principle but has not committed to substantive new initiatives, with most actions linked to broader mental health and disability reforms already underway.
The government’s response calls for collaboration across federal, state, and territory jurisdictions to address gaps in ADHD services.
It praises existing efforts, such as a $1.5 million grant in 2022 for developing national clinical guidelines, and cites investments in telehealth, bulk billing incentives, and early intervention services under recent mental health budgets.
It also acknowledges the need for culturally appropriate support, particularly for First Nations people, and promises to pursue consistency in prescribing regulations across jurisdictions.
However, these measures have been met with disappointment.
Dr Alison Poulton, a senior lecturer in paediatrics at the University of Sydney, described the response as “too little, too late”.
While acknowledging the contributions of over 700 submissions to the inquiry, she said; “The desperation of those who have missed out - and continue to miss out - on appropriate diagnosis and treatment for ADHD has been largely glossed over”.
She pointed to repeated stories of individuals struggling for years, feeling inadequate, and grieving lost opportunities when diagnosis and treatment were delayed.
Poulton highlighted the inefficiencies in the current system, noting that ADHD patients are often excluded from public mental health services.
She called for more funding for GP-led care, supported by streamlined Medicare payments and the removal of legislative barriers that require specialist involvement.
“The legislation that ties GPs up with unnecessary form-filling and mandates specialist involvement should be scrapped,” she said.
Advocates have also criticised the government for not committing to a dedicated ADHD information portal or adequately supporting advocacy organisations.
Louise Brown, a PhD candidate from Curtin University who also lives with ADHD, has also expressed frustration over the lack of urgency in addressing unmet needs.
“As a person with ADHD, it feels like our needs and experiences have been dismissed and invalidated - yet again,” she said.
She says failure to improve diagnosis and treatment would consign another generation of Australians to poorer health, education, and employment outcomes.
The inquiry shed light on ADHD’s significant impact, with around 8 per cent of children and 6 per cent of adults affected.
The condition costs the Australian economy an estimated $20 billion annually, but the social and emotional toll on individuals and families is harder to quantify.
The government’s response does little to ease concerns that current systems remain fragmented and inaccessible for many.
While the response reflects some progress, particularly in recognising the challenges faced by women, First Nations people, and other marginalised groups, critics argue it lacks urgency and specificity.
Advocates want immediate action to address workforce shortages, geographic disparities, and financial barriers to care, warning that delays will continue to harm individuals and families struggling without adequate support.
Experts believe that while the government has acknowledged the issues, it has yet to match this recognition with meaningful action to deliver the change urgently needed by people with ADHD.
