Psychostimulants for ADHD – updated permit requirements

If you decide that it is appropriate for a GP or NP to prescribe dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate for the treatment of ADHD for a non-drug-dependent patient you must issue a valid ADHD treatment instruction. (Note: a permit continues to be required before prescribing any Schedule 8 medicine for a drug-dependent patient).

While an ADHD treatment instruction may be in the format of a letter similar to the clinical correspondence routinely provided to a patient's primary care practitioner, an ADHD treatment instruction is now a regulatory requirement and must include, at a minimum, the details outlined below.

Transition period

There will be a period from 14 October 2026 to 30 November 2026 to assist you in transitioning to the new requirements. During this period, you must include in an ADHD treatment instruction the following details:

• your name, address and telephone number
• your medical qualifications
• (ADHD practitioner only) a declaration that you are an ADHD practitioner and details of your completion of that training course or other education (if the Secretary’s approval under regulation 159AA defines the class to which you belong using criteria relating to the completion of a training course or other education)
• patient’s name, address and date of birth
• the date on which the instruction is given

Ongoing requirements

From 1 December 2026, you must include in an ADHD treatment instruction the following details:

• your name, address and telephone number
• your medical qualifications
• (ADHD practitioner only) a declaration that you are an ADHD practitioner and details of your completion of that training course or other education (if the Secretary’s approval under regulation 159AA defines the class to which you belong using criteria relating to the completion of a training course or other education)
• patient’s name, address and date of birth
• the date on which the instruction is given
• details of the medication including:
  • medication name
  • dose
  • frequency
  • maximum dose
• details of the patient's diagnosis of ADHD.

There are penalties for not providing a valid treatment instruction for the patient, so it is important that you are aware of the changes and your responsibilities.

Details of the patient’s diagnosis of ADHD should include:

• the date of diagnosis
• the identity of the diagnosing physician
• confirmation of the ADHD diagnosis
• sufficient information regarding the assessment undertaken and the treatment plan.

This information should provide the GP or NP with a reasonable basis to be satisfied that the diagnosis has been established through an appropriate assessment, and that ongoing prescribing of ADHD medication is clinically indicated and consistent with your recommendations.

When issuing an ADHD treatment instruction, you may determine the review period appropriate for the individual patient according to their clinical needs.

The ADHD treatment instruction will remain valid until the review date you specify, if any.

If you write an incomplete ADHD treatment instruction, the GP or NP who has taken over prescribing for your patient may be in touch with you to discuss missing particulars. The GP or NP will not be able to continue prescribing without a permit for the patient, until the ADHD treatment instruction is valid per the new requirements.

For your patient’s GP or NP to continue prescribing ADHD medications in Victoria without a permit, your ADHD treatment instruction must contain all the details listed in Part A.

ADHD treatment instructions issued by interstate GPs are generally not recognised for the purposes of the Victorian permit exception. An exception applies when an interstate GP has completed the Victorian Department of Health approved training in ADHD diagnosis and management, and issues a valid ADHD treatment instruction.

A Victorian GP or NP may only prescribe without a permit where the ADHD treatment instruction has been issued by a paediatrician, psychiatrist or a person approved as an ADHD practitioner under the Victorian regulations.

No. Paediatricians do not require a permit to prescribe psychostimulants for ADHD to patients of any age, provided the patient is non-drug-dependent.

The previous age-based restrictions on prescribing by paediatricians have been removed, and decisions regarding appropriateness of treatment are left to the professional judgement of the treating clinician.

You may prescribe in accordance with a valid ADHD treatment instruction issued by a paediatrician, psychiatrist or ADHD practitioner without a permit, provided the patient is non-drug-dependent.

When assessing an ADHD treatment instruction, you should be satisfied that it has been issued by a paediatrician, psychiatrist or ADHD practitioner. If you have concerns about the authenticity or validity of the ADHD treatment instruction, you should take reasonable steps to verify the details of the issuing practitioner, including their qualifications or, for an ADHD practitioner, that they have completed the required training. This might be through checking SafeScript, or other professional verification avenues.

If the patient is drug-dependent, you must obtain a permit before prescribing, unless a specific exception applies.

If you can verify the patient’s ADHD treatment instruction is valid (i.e. that it has been written by the appropriate practitioner and it contains all the prescribed information), and the patient is non-drug-dependent, you may prescribe dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate for the treatment of ADHD without obtaining a permit from the Victorian Department of Health.

When issuing an ADHD treatment instruction, the paediatrician, psychiatrist or ADHD practitioner may determine the review period appropriate for the individual patient according to their clinical needs.

The ADHD treatment instruction will remain valid until the review date specified by the paediatrician, psychiatrist or ADHD practitioner, if any.

You should ensure the patient has been reviewed within the timeframe specified in the ADHD treatment instruction or earlier if, in your professional opinion, a review is clinically necessary.

You may continue prescribing under your current permit until it expires. There is no need to cancel your permit or refer the patient back to their paediatrician, psychiatrist or ADHD practitioner solely for an ADHD treatment instruction before then, unless a clinical review is otherwise required.

Once the permit expires, you will need to obtain a valid ADHD treatment instruction for the patient or a new permit from the Victorian Department of Health to continue prescribing. To support continuity of treatment, you are encouraged to make the necessary arrangements before the permit expires.

If you have a pending permit application that is no longer required under the new arrangements, please cancel the application through the patient’s profile in SafeScript or by completing the online form as soon as possible. This will help reduce unnecessary processing and improve permit turnaround times for applications that continue to require assessment.

For step-by-step instructions on how to cancel a permit application in SafeScript, please visit Cancel a Permit or Permit Application.

You are encouraged to liaise with the patient’s paediatrician, psychiatrist, or ADHD practitioner to coordinate the issue of a valid ADHD treatment instruction. Under the new requirements, it is an offence for a paediatrician, psychiatrist, or ADHD practitioner to issue a non-compliant ADHD treatment instruction. GPs and NPs should not prescribe based on an invalid ADHD treatment instruction.

If your patient is unable to obtain a valid ADHD treatment instruction, you will need to apply for a permit to ensure the patient can access their medications, and your legal obligations are met.

You must not issue a prescription for dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate if you have reason to believe an ADHD treatment instruction has been forged or is fraudulent, or has been altered other than by the paediatrician, psychiatrist or ADHD practitioner who gave the instruction.

If you suspect or have reason to believe that an ADHD treatment instruction is forged or is fraudulent, you must immediately inform the Victorian Department of Health and Victoria Police.

Reports can be made to the department by Online Report and to Victoria Police at Crime Stoppers Victoria.

No. These changes will not affect your practice at this stage, as Special Schedule 8 medicines will not initially be included within the prescribing scope of practice for Paramedic Prescribers.