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    Perth paediatricians & child
    psychiatrists with open books

    Finding a paediatrician in Perth with open books can be extremely challenging. This page tracks which paediatricians and child psychiatrists have opened their books or updated their waitlists, so you don’t have to ring thirty clinics to find out.

    Last updated: 10 June 2026

    At a glance

    As at June 2026, there are 15+ paediatricians, child psychiatrists and telehealth clinics with open books or short waitlists for Perth families seeking ADHD, autism and developmental assessments. In Western Australia, paediatricians, psychiatrists and neurologists can all prescribe stimulant medication for ADHD. Interstate providers via telehealth are also an option. 

    Not sure who your child should see?

    Many families don’t realise a child and adolescent psychiatrist can assess and diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication, just like a paediatrician. Psychiatrist waitlists are sometimes shorter, and several see Perth children entirely by telehealth.

    A psychiatrist may be a good fit if your child is a teenager, or if anxiety, mood or other mental health concerns are part of the picture. A paediatrician may be helpful if your child has complex medical needs or you’d like a broader developmental review.

    Both types of doctors are included in the list below. You can filter by specialty.

    The short list. Who has open books right now

    Legend

    ✅ Accepting referrals for this service.  ✅* Conditions apply to referral.  See notes under table.  📚 Books closed – not currently accepting referrals for this service.  

    Region abbreviations: NOR = North of the River; SOR = South of the River; Tele = Telehealth /online.  (For Perth people, cross the Swan River is a BIG deal, you can filter for doctors on your side of the river if it helps 😀)

    Notes

    Dr Grant Ferguson: autism assessment is provided for adolescents aged 10 to 18 years with a clinical psychologist and paediatrician Dr Grant Ferguson.

    Dr James Fitzpatrick and Patches no longer provide initiation of or ongoing medication management for ADHD.

    Dr Chaandini Subramaniam’s preferred autism assessment pathway is an initial assessment with psychologist Vishal Mahraj and referral to Dr Subramaniam if indicated.

    Dr Paul Wallman provides an autism assessment and diagnostic clinic for 2 to 16 year olds with a clinical psychologist, but not ongoing management.

    Tip: Many families have got appointments faster than expected by treating finding a paediatrician as a part time job. Call regularly and take whatever is offered. Not all paediatricians offer the same services, so it’s worth reading how to find the right paediatrician for your child first.

    Who can help with ADHD and autism assessments in WA

    In Western Australia, only paediatricians, psychiatrists and neurologists can currently prescribe stimulant medication often used to treat ADHD. You can also use providers located interstate, including via telehealth.

    For an autism assessment, you may not need a paediatrician at all. The NDIS will accept a diagnosis of autism level 2 or 3 from a single clinician who is a clinical psychologist, educational and developmental psychologist or neuropsychologist.

    WA public schools have different evidence requirements. Check the requirements early so your chosen assessment pathway meets your intended support needs. This article explains the current requirements for evidence of an autism diagnosis for school and NDIS supports.

    A paediatrician may be helpful for an autism assessment if:

    • Your child has complex medical needs
    • You are also seeking ADHD medication
    • You would like a broader medical or developmental review

    North of the River paediatricians and psychiatrists

    Practitioners: autism assessments by a clinical psychologist and developmental paediatrician Dr Paul Wallman (diagnosis only) or an occupational therapist.

    Services: autism assessments for children 2 to 16 years.

    Availability: approx 2.5 month waitlist for autism assessment. Limited availability. The developmental paediatrician is for autism diagnosis only, not ongoing management.

    More information: Greenhouse Paediatrics

    Practitioners: Dr Grant Ferguson, Paediatrician, and Dr Rachel Halpin-Evans, Specialist Pain Medicine Physician and Paediatrician.

    Services: currently accepting GP referrals for ADHD (ages 10 to 24); eating disorders (ARFID, Bulimia Nervosa, ages 10 to 24); autism assessments (ages 10 to 18); specialist pain medicine (ages 10 to 24); and general adolescent medicine.

    Availability: appointments for eating disorder concerns can usually be arranged within six weeks once the intake process is complete. The ADHD waiting list has reopened for referrals for ages 10 to 24 years (as at 16 March 2026). Multidisciplinary autism assessments with a clinical psychologist are usually available within two weeks of intake paperwork being submitted, and satisfy both Department of Education and NDIS requirements.

    More information: Westerly Youth Clinic

    Services: developmental and behavioural assessments, including ADHD and autism. Educational psychology for learning difficulties and cognitive assessments (with internal referral back to Dr Barrett so families don’t need to rejoin a waitlist), plus social work support for school reintegration, NDIS support coordination, complex care coordination, youth mentoring and family therapy. Children referred internally after an autism screening with psychologist Sian Reed can be seen by Dr Barrett.

    Availability: books currently closed for direct referrals; request addition to waitlist via the website. Waitlisted families are notified before availability is announced publicly. Books are expected to open in July 2026.

    More information: Wild Child Paediatrics

    Paediatrician Dr Shahzad Shabir (West Leederville) is accepting referrals for the opening of WA Paeds paediatric clinic in late July 2026.  He is accepting referrals for infants, children and adolscents for general paediatrics, paediatric gastroenterology and developmental and behavioural paediatrics.  You can book online directly through the website with a referral.  Phones will not start until mid July but emails are being monitored.  

    More information: WA Paeds

    Services: accepts referrals for all ages and concerns, including ADHD and autism diagnosis.

    Availability: books open for new referrals.

    Note: please email referrals to reception@drmarkparker.com.au for consideration. This practice does not have a website.

    Services: accepts referrals for patients aged 13 to 65 years. Comprehensive assessment and treatment for ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders, personality disorders and addiction (including compulsive behaviours). For patients seeking a combined approach, Dr McCarthy offers ongoing talking therapy with a single clinician. For adolescents, this may involve incorporating parents or family members into therapy sessions as appropriate.

    Availability: new to Clear Health Psychiatry and accepting referrals now.

    Note: Dr McCarthy does not manage patients with a history of psychosis or neurodegenerative disorders, and does not conduct diagnostic assessments for suspected autism. He is not affiliated with any private psychiatric hospital and does not manage patients requiring inpatient admission.

    More information: Clear Health Psychiatry

    Practitioner: Paediatrician Dr James Fitzpatrick plus a multidisciplinary team for assessments.

    Services: developmental and behavioural assessments, including ADHD, autism, global developmental delay and FASD.

    Availability: almost immediate availability for assessments.

    Note: Patches does not provide support for the initiation or management of medications for the treatment of ADHD. This is important to know if you would like to consider stimulant medication as part of your child’s treatment plan.

    More information: Patches

    South of the River paediatricians and psychiatrists

    Services: youth mental health, psychiatric and psychological care with specific emphasis on coaching and mentoring.

    Availability: accepting referrals for ages 12 to mid twenties.

    Note: Voix has moved from Nedlands to a brand new clinic in South Perth. They do not provide specialised autism or educational assessments.

    More information: voix.com.au

    Practitioners: Paediatricians Dr Farhat Hussain and Dr Nancy Elsheikh.

    Services: developmental paediatrics including ADHD, autism and anxiety.

    Availability: accepting autism and ADHD referrals. Current wait time is approx six months as at 21 November 2025.

    Cost: ADHD assessments are $1,100 and autism assessments are $1,200 to $1,500 depending on complexity. For children with an existing diagnosis and evidence of it, they are happy to take over care and management. The initial consult is usually approx $700 to $850 depending on complexity and scripts required.

    Note: formerly Murdoch Baby Matters at SJOG Murdoch. The business recently changed ownership and name and is updating its website, which currently mostly references babies and neonatology. They already see many developmental patients via referrals from psychologists, GPs and word of mouth.

    More information: murdochbabymatters.com.au

    Services: developmental paediatric appointments. Dr Savery specialises in ADHD, autism, global developmental delay, learning difficulties, anxiety and sensory issues.

    Availability: books reopened as at January 2026, with availability from March 2026.

    Note: Dr Savery can provide telehealth appointments to rural families. This is a family run practice without fulltime reception staff, and Dr Savery often works regionally, so there can be delays in response times. Please be patient. It is worth it!

    More information: Dr Andrew Savery

    Services: ADHD assessments and treatment only, for children aged 5 to 16 years.

    Availability: books open. Approx four month wait as at April 2026.

    Note: email through a GP referral, one recent school report and a parent summary of the issues you’re having with your child. The doctors assess the reports, then parents are contacted for an appointment.

    More information: murdochpaediatrics.com.au

    Services: developmental and behavioural assessments, including ADHD and autism.

    Availability: the waitlist opens one day per month for new patients. Waitlist information and opening dates are published at smartpaeds.com/newpatient.

    Telehealth paediatricians and psychiatrists

    Practitioners: Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Murugesh Nidyananda and Psychiatrist Dr Marie-Caroline Viebke.

    Services: comprehensive psychiatric assessments and ongoing care for ages 5 to 75, with particular expertise in ADHD, autism (including PDA and non-verbal profiles), school refusal and school related anxiety, ODD and conduct disorder, and general mental health.

    Cost: with Dr Nidyananda, ADHD or autism assessments for children and adolescents are $939.40 out of pocket, or $1,544.40 for a combined ADHD and autism assessment. With Dr Viebke (adolescents and adults), assessments are $739.40 out of pocket, or $1,344.40 combined.

    Practitioner: Dr Rajesh Harjai, Consultant Child, Adolescent and Youth Psychiatrist.

    Services: autism and ADHD assessments for children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years, plus diagnostic evaluations and ongoing management for anxiety and a broad range of emotional and behavioural concerns.

    More information: Evolve Psychiatric Services

    Services: autism and ADHD assessments for children and adults.

    Availability: initial assessments within 1 week of enquiry. The process generally takes 2 to 4 weeks from initial assessment to diagnosis and treatment.

    Cost: the full ADHD assessment package is $3,849.50 (subject to Medicare rebates), covering 13 appointments: a comprehensive clinical assessment, a 45 minute specialist diagnostic consultation, a 15 minute specialist review and 10 Dialectical Behaviour Therapy sessions.

    More information: Nexia Healthcare

    Services:

    • ADHD assessments
    • Ongoing management for children with an existing ADHD diagnosis
    • Complex neurodeveloopmental assessment
    • Allergy and Immunology

    ADHD assessments

    With paediatricians for ages 5 to 16.  Appointments available from November 2026 and added regularly. You can book without a GP referral and add it to the system later, making it easier to snap up an appointment. Worth checking their booking system often.  Cost: approx $985 out of pocket for the initial assessment, diagnosis and management package (confirm the current figure with the clinic).  Note: suitable for non-complex ADHD cases. I have had excellent feedback from Perth families who have seen Dr Zayna Adamu via Cub Care.

    Existing ADHD diagnosis: If your child has an existing ADHD diagnosis they can provide “Cub Care” which may be suitable if there’s no one currently managing your child’s ADHD care.  This may apply if your paediatrician has retired or moved.  To access this pathway your child must have a formal, documented ADHD diagnosis from a paediatrician or psychiatrist.  Cost is from $680 out of pocket for the 60-minute inital paediatrician consultation, updated management plan, medication review and prescribing (if clinically appropriate), parenting coach session and tailored ongoing care plan.  Additional appointments incur additional costs.

    Autism: They added a new complex neurodevelopmental pathway in January 2026.

    Allergy and Immunology: Also offering allergy and immunology consults with Perth based Dr Christiane Remke.

    More information: Cub Care

    Which Perth paediatricians have closed their books?

    Medical registration suspended by Ahpra and unable to practice while his case is before the courts.

     
    Services: developmental and behavioural assessments, including ADHD and autism. Educational psychology for learning difficulties and cognitive assessments (with internal referral back to Dr Barrett so families don’t need to rejoin a waitlist), plus social work support for school reintegration, NDIS support coordination, complex care coordination, youth mentoring and family therapy. Children referred internally after an autism screening with psychologist Sian Reed can be seen by Dr Barrett. Availability: books currently closed for direct referrals; waitlist available via the website. Waitlisted families are notified before availability is announced publicly. Books are expected to open in July 2026.More information: Wild Child Paediatrics

    While their books are open, their waitlist for ADHD and autism referrals are 3+ years.  Check the latest updates on their website: https://www.paedsplus.com.au/new-referral-landing-page

     

    Dr Michelle Howell (Nest Medical) has retired from private practice. A visiting paediatrician is providing support for families with 12 month reviews due before April. Families due for a review from April 2026 will need to speak with their GP about referral to a paediatrician or psychiatrist for ongoing care.

     

    Letting patients know that he is transitioning to retirement in the next two years and not taking on new patients.  He will be missed.

    Dr Michael Slattery of Impulse Paediatrics has closed his books for referrals as at 20 February 2026.

    Office permanently closed.

    Download the full paediatrician and psychiatrist list

    The full list covers every Perth paediatrician and child and adolescent psychiatrist I know of, updated February 2026, including those with closed books.

    Download the PDF

    TIP: download the full list and confirm availability with each office or website. Books open and close without warning.

    Frequently asked questions

    In Western Australia, only paediatricians, psychiatrists and neurologists can currently prescribe stimulant medication often used to treat ADHD. GPs and psychologists cannot initiate stimulant medication. Interstate specialists seen via telehealth are also an option.

     

    Yes. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can assess and diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication. Psychiatrists may be a particularly good fit for teenagers, or where anxiety, mood or other mental health concerns are also present. Several psychiatrists see WA children entirely by telehealth, and their waitlists are sometimes shorter than paediatricians’.

     

    Not always. The NDIS will accept a diagnosis of autism level 2 or 3 from a single clinician who is a clinical psychologist, educational and developmental psychologist or neuropsychologist. WA public schools have different evidence requirements. Read more about autism diagnosis requirements for school and NDIS supports.