At a glance
- Only approved specialists — typically an ADHD paediatrician or psychiatrist — can start stimulant medication in WA.
- Shared care allows your GP or nurse practitioner to write ongoing repeat scripts once the specialist has initiated treatment.
- Your GP can conduct the 6-month review, while the specialist must see your child at least every 12 months.
- Pharmacists must dispense repeats every 25–28 days — early supply requires a new script or written prescriber approval.
- A single prescription covers a maximum of 6 months of treatment. You'll need at least two prescriptions per year.
- Psychologists don't prescribe, but they provide essential therapeutic and behavioural support alongside medication.
“Shared care” means your child’s ADHD specialist starts and oversees treatment, while your regular GP or nurse practitioner helps manage ongoing prescriptions and follow-up care.
This can make it easier for families to access repeat prescriptions closer to home without needing to see the specialist for every script.
This guide explains:
- Which specialists can initiate stimulant medication for the treatment of ADHD
- What “shared care” means and how it works
- Recent changes to regulations to make it easier for families
- Common questions parents ask about ADHD prescriptions
Contents
Why Western Australia has its own rules for ADHD medication
If you’ve recently started the ADHD medication journey with your child, you’ve probably noticed that getting a script isn’t quite the same as picking up antibiotics.
That’s because ADHD stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), dexamfetamine, and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) are classified as Schedule 8 (S8) controlled medicines.
These medications are strictly regulated in Western Australia with a specific Code of Practice that governs exactly how these medications are prescribed, dispensed, and monitored.
Recent updates to WA’s shared care model have actually made the process smoother for families than it’s ever been. So let’s break it down step by step.
It all starts with a specialist
Why your ADHD paediatrician or psychiatrist is the gatekeeper
In Western Australia, only approved specialists can start your child on ADHD stimulant medication.
This includes paediatricians or a psychiatrist whose clinical work includes ADHD as well as neurologists.
Your ADHD paediatrician or child and adolescent psychiatrist will confirm the diagnosis, explain the medication options, choose a starting dose, and write the first prescription.
They’ll also create a treatment plan. Your specialist can prescribe methylphenidate or dexamfetamine for children aged 4 and older, and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) from age 6 onwards.
Quick reference guide: who does what?
| Role | Start medication? | Repeat scripts? | Adjust medication? | Six-month review? | Annual Review? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paediatrician, Psychiatrist or Neurologist | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| GP | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (shared care) | ✅ Yes (shared care) | ✅ Yes (shared care) | ❌ No |
| Nurse Practitioner | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (shared care) | ✅ Yes (shared care) | ✅ Yes (shared care) | ❌ No |
| Pharmacist | ❌ No | Dispenses only | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Psychologist | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
What is 'shared care'?
The model that saves you time, stress, and specialist waitlists
Shared care is one of the most parent-friendly parts of the WA prescribing system, yet many families don’t fully understand how it works.
For most families, shared care means that once your ADHD paediatrician has started stimulant medication and set up a treatment plan, your GP or nurse practitioner can take over the routine prescribing. This means you don’t need to visit the specialist every single time your child needs a repeat script.
Under shared care, your GP can issue repeat prescriptions at the same dose and form. If your specialist has provided written directions, your GP can even make certain adjustments.
This is a huge relief for families, particularly those in regional areas or those facing long specialist wait times.
However, it’s important to remember that your specialist remains the treatment lead throughout and must review your child at a minimum of every 12 months while they are under 18 years of age.
What pharmacists need you to know
Dispensing rules, timing and why you can't pick up medications early
Here’s where things can catch families off guard. Because ADHD stimulants are S8 medicines, pharmacists must follow very specific dispensing rules in WA.
Pharmacies can only dispense a repeat every 25 to 28 days. This interval is legally required, your pharmacist isn’t being difficult, they’re following the law.
As a result, you can’t simply collect medication early each month “just in case.”
If you need an early supply for travel, holidays, or an unexpected change you’ll need your prescriber to issue a new script or provide specific written instructions allowing the early supply.
It’s a good idea to build a relationship with your regular pharmacy so they understand your child’s medication routine.
WA pharmacists can dispense prescriptions written by interstate prescribers, which is helpful if your family travels or sees a specialist through telehealth who is located outside of the state.
Understanding script limits and timeframes
Why a single prescription can't cover a full year
Another common source of confusion for families is the maximum script duration.
In WA, a prescriber can only write a stimulant prescription for up to 6 months of treatment at a time. This might look like a script with six monthly repeats, or a smaller number of repeats depending on the treatment plan.
What this means practically is that you cannot get a single script that covers a full twelve months.
Your child must be reviewed within that 12-month period for shared care to continue, and you may need a new prescription if you run out earlier than expected or if treatment changes.
While this might feel like a lot of admin, it’s actually a built-in safety net to provide regular touchpoints so medication is being monitored and your child’s wellbeing stays front and centre.
The review cycle: what to expect over 12 months
From first script to annual review — and everything in between
Understanding the typical review cycle can help you plan ahead and feel more in control.
Your ADHD paediatrician or psychiatrist starts the medication and writes the initial prescription.
Your child’s specialist may manage titration of medication to the optimal dose for your child. Or they may provide written instructions for a GP or nurse practitioner to support this process.
At the six-month mark, you can return to your specialist or ask your GP or nurse practitioner to conduct the mid-year review and write the prescriptions for the next six months.
You could also ask GP or nurse practitioner to update your referral to your specialist for your next review so you can claim the Medicare rebate as these referrals are valid for 12 months.
Then, at month twelve, your child returns to the specialist for a full annual review. They must see their specialist at a minimum once every 12 months until they turn 18 years.
During this appointment, the specialist will review the treatment plan, adjust medication or dosing if needed, renew the shared care arrangement, and issue a new prescription for the next period. After that, the cycle begins again.
Knowing this timeline in advance helps you book appointments early and avoid any gaps in medication supply.
Example timeline from first prescription to annual review
Use this is as a guide to understand what to expect over your child’s first year on ADHD medication
A few questions you may want to ask
Questions you may want to ask your child’s specialist:
- Do you support shared care with our GP?
- What review schedule do you recommend?
- Will you provide written prescribing instructions for our GP?
- Are there any reasons my child may need specialist-only prescribing?
- What should we do if our GP is uncomfortable continuing prescriptions?
Where does a psychologist fit in?
Supporting the whole child
While psychologists don’t prescribe medication, they play an incredibly valuable role in your child’s ADHD support team. A psychologist can conduct or contribute to the initial ADHD assessment, provide therapy and behavioural strategies, and support your child’s emotional wellbeing alongside medication.
Many families find that the best outcomes come from combining medication with ongoing psychological support. Strategies for organisation, emotional regulation, social skills, and self-esteem can make a real difference in your child’s day-to-day life. So even though your psychologist won’t be involved in the prescribing side of things, they’re an essential part of the bigger picture.
Frequently asked questions by parents
Who can start ADHD medication in Western Australia?
Approved Specialists (usually paediatricians and psychiatrists, however neurologists are also included) whose clinical work includes ADHD can start stimulant treatment without needing special approval, as long as the Code criteria are met.
They can prescribe:
- Methylphenidate or dexamfetamine from age 4+
- Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) from age 6+
The specialist:
- Confirms diagnosis
- Starts medication
- Sets the treatment plan and dosing
- Provides instructions for shared care
What is 'shared care'?
“Shared care” means your child’s ADHD specialist starts and oversees treatment, while your regular GP or nurse practitioner helps manage ongoing prescriptions and follow-up care.
This can make it easier for families to access repeat prescriptions closer to home without needing to see the specialist for every script.
How does shared care work in WA?
After a specialist has started treatment, GPs and Nurse Practitioners can continue prescribing stimulant medication provided it is at the same dose and formulation.
Children under 18 years must see their specialist for review at least every 12 months until they are 18 years, then every 3 year once they are 18 years.
Does my specialist need to appoint a co-prescriber?
Requirements for specialists to appoint the patient’s GP as a ‘co-prescriber’ are no longer in place.
For most patients this will mean their GP or nurse practitioner can continue stimulant treatment commenced by a specialist.
Who do I see about changing my child’s medication type or dose?
Your specialist remains the lead clinician overseeing treatment and is responsible for making changes to stimulant types and dosage.
GPs and Nurse Practitioners can only do this if they are provided clear written instructions by the specialist.
My GP said they couldn't write a repeat stimulant script for my child - why?
They might not know the regulations have changed
Sometimes a GP might not be aware that the regulations have changed in Western Australia for the co-prescription of stimulant medications.
Before, specialists needed to formally appoint a GP as the authorised co-prescriber. This is no longer required as GPs can use the new WAScriptCheck system to verify your child’s current medication and dose and write a repeat script for this.
You can download and show them the fact sheet ‘ADHD medication prescribing for kids in Western Australia‘, show them this blog or encourage them to visit the Department of Health website to confirm the changes.
Other limitations to co-prescription it's worth knowing about
While the rules now allow GPs and nurse practitioners to continue prescribing stimulant medication under shared care, there are some important limitations.
Your GP or nurse practitioner can choose whether to prescribe
Even if shared care is permitted, a GP or nurse practitioner does not have to prescribe stimulant medication if they:
- do not feel comfortable managing ADHD medication
- believe it is outside their personal scope of practice
- do not feel they have enough information to prescribe safely
Some clinics may also have their own policies about ADHD prescribing.
Some specialists prefer to manage prescriptions themselves
Safety checks still apply at every appointment
The GP or nurse practitioner must be satisfied that prescribing is safe at the time of the appointment.
This may include reviewing:
- side effects
- growth and weight
- blood pressure and heart rate
- mental health concerns
- how the medication is working at school and home
Some children may still require specialist-only prescribing
In some situations, stimulant prescribing remains more tightly controlled.
For example:
- very young children
- children with significant mental health or psychiatric complexities
- higher-risk prescribing situations
These cases may have a Department of Health prescribing authorisation attached to the specialist. This information is visible to prescribers through ScriptCheckWA.
If this applies, the GP or nurse practitioner may not be able to continue prescribing under shared care.
When will GPs start diagnosing and treating ADHD in Western Australia?
The WA Government has said they expect the first graduates of the GP ADHD training program in August 2026.
According to the WA Department of Health the graduates will be able to diagnose and treat ADHD and be authorised to initiate stimulant medications for patients aged 10 and older, helping reduce wait-times and expand access to care – particularly in regional and outer metropolitan areas.
Is there a list of the GPs who are completing the WA GP ADHD Training Program?
No, there’s not one that I have seen published as yet, but keep an eye out for it as it gets closer to the anticipated graduation around August/September.
You can also ask your GP if they are participating in the training or know of anyone who is.
Just be aware that the first group of trainees are GPs working in rural, remote and outer metropolitan communities, in areas of low socio-economic advantage and from the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
Are you a GP completing the WA GP ADHD Training Program?
I’d love to hear from you if you’re willing to be added to a list so families can know if this service will be available near them later this year. Many families are hoping the process will be more accesssible and affordable and are waiting for this announcement.
WA GPs currently completing the WA ADHD GP Training Program
I’ll add here the list of those who let me know or who have published publicly that they are completing the program:
Useful resources
Reviewed May 2026
References
DISCLAIMER:
This information is general educational information only and is based on current Western Australian prescribing arrangements at the time of publication. Prescribing laws, Department of Health requirements, and individual clinic policies may change over time. Perth Kids Hub is not a medical provider and cannot provide medical advice. Families should confirm the latest requirements with their treating specialist, GP, nurse practitioner, or the WA Department of Health.
