ADHD assessments in Australian general practice are becoming more common, yet many GPs still feel underprepared when a patient walks in requesting an evaluation. With a structured approach and the right tools, you can walk into every assessment feeling confident and well prepared.
Quick links
- Why structured preparation matters
- The five pillars of assessment preparation
- Building your pre-appointment workflow
- What Velluto does differently
- References
Why structured preparation matters
GP ADHD assessments are billed under standard consultation MBS items, not a specific ADHD item number. Most initial assessments fall under MBS item 44 (Level D, 40+ minutes), which reflects the time needed for developmental history, symptom review, and differential diagnosis. Follow-up consultations typically use item 36 (Level C, 20+ minutes). Thorough documentation of clinical reasoning supports correct billing and strengthens your medicolegal position. See what this could mean for your practice with our ROI calculator.
A well prepared clinician covers developmental history, current symptom burden, functional impact across domains, and differential diagnoses in a single extended consultation. That is a lot to hold in your head without a framework.
The difference between a good ADHD assessment and a great one is preparation. When you know exactly what to cover before the patient sits down, you can focus entirely on listening.
Dr Sandy Skinner, GP
The five pillars of assessment preparation
Every thorough ADHD assessment rests on five pillars of preparation:
- Pre-appointment screening questionnaires sent to the patient
- Collateral history from a family member or partner
- School reports or workplace performance data where available
- Review of previous mental health treatment and medications
- A structured clinical template that guides your consultation
Building your pre-appointment workflow
Start by sending validated screening tools before the appointment. The ASRS-5 is a quick screener that takes patients less than two minutes to complete. For a more detailed picture, consider the full ASRS v1.1 alongside the WFIRS (Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale).
Having these completed before the patient arrives means you can spend the consultation exploring flagged areas rather than gathering basic information. It also demonstrates to Medicare that your clinical approach is systematic and evidence based. See a walkthrough of the automated workflow.
What Velluto does differently
Velluto automates the entire pre-appointment workflow. When you create an assessment, Velluto sends the screening questionnaires to your patient, collects collateral history from their nominated contact, and assembles everything into a structured clinical summary that is ready on your desk before the appointment.
While this post focuses on ADHD, Velluto supports any GP assessment pathway. Read about the broader GP ADHD reforms in Your GP already knows you. As new categories like menopause, autism, and chronic disease management launch, the same structured intake applies.
No more chasing paperwork. No more starting from scratch. Just a calm, prepared consultation where you can focus on what matters most: the person sitting in front of you. Have questions? Read our FAQ.
References
- MBS Item 36 (Level C consultation) — MBS Online, Australian Government
- MBS Item 44 (Level D consultation) — MBS Online, Australian Government
- Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD — AADPA, 2022
Which MBS items do GPs use to bill ADHD assessments?
GPs bill ADHD assessments under standard consultation items. Initial assessments typically use MBS item 44 (Level D, 40+ minutes) due to the time required for developmental history, symptom review, and differential diagnosis. Follow-up consultations usually fall under item 36 (Level C, 20+ minutes). There is no ADHD-specific MBS item for general practice.
What screening tools should I send before an ADHD assessment?
The ASRS-5 is a validated five-item screener that takes patients under two minutes. For a fuller clinical picture before the consultation, send the ASRS v1.1 (18 items) alongside the WFIRS (Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale) for functional impact data. Collecting collateral history from a family member or partner is also strongly recommended by the AADPA guidelines.
Do I need a psychiatrist referral to assess ADHD in general practice?
No. GPs in Australia can assess and diagnose ADHD in adults without a psychiatrist referral. The AADPA clinical guidelines support GP-led assessment where the clinician has appropriate training. Referral to a psychiatrist or paediatrician is appropriate for complex presentations or when prescribing requires specialist oversight under state or territory regulations.
How long should an initial ADHD assessment consultation take?
Most initial ADHD assessments require 40 to 60 minutes, which aligns with an MBS Level D consultation (item 44). This allows time for developmental history, current symptom review, functional impact across work, relationships and daily life, screening for comorbidities, and discussion of differential diagnoses. Pre-appointment questionnaires reduce in-consult admin time significantly.
What documentation do I need for a defensible ADHD assessment?
Document the clinical reasoning behind your assessment, including developmental history (childhood symptom onset), validated screening scores, collateral information sources, functional impact across at least two domains, differential diagnoses considered, and comorbidities screened for. This supports both Medicare billing requirements and your medicolegal position if the assessment is ever reviewed.
Clinical information disclaimer
This article contains general clinical information for healthcare professionals. It is not a substitute for individual clinical judgement, professional guidelines, or specific patient assessment. Always apply your own clinical reasoning when making treatment decisions.
Velluto is a clinical intake platform. It does not diagnose, recommend treatment, or make clinical decisions. All clinical decisions remain with the treating GP.