Adult ADHD Assessment — VIC
Adult ADHD Assessment & Diagnosis in Melbourne
Adults in Melbourne can be assessed and diagnosed for ADHD by secure video — without the months-long waitlists that often come with in-person psychiatry. Psychiatrists Australia connects people across the CBD, plus the northern, eastern, western and south-eastern suburbs, and regional Victoria including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, the Latrobe Valley and Shepparton, with Dr Andrew Nielsen, a FRANZCP consultant psychiatrist with more than 20 years' experience, from the privacy of home.
ADHD assessment access in Melbourne
Demand for adult ADHD assessments in Melbourne has grown sharply, and private psychiatry waitlists across Victoria can stretch for many months. Telehealth removes that bottleneck: because your psychiatrist consults by encrypted video, you are not competing for a limited number of local in-person appointments, and you can usually be seen sooner. Patients in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, the Latrobe Valley and Shepparton — where local specialist availability is thinner — get the same standard of assessment as someone in central Melbourne.
Your ADHD psychiatrist in Melbourne
Every assessment is carried out by Dr Andrew Nielsen (MBBS, FRANZCP). Because he is a psychiatrist, the doctor who assesses you is the same one who can make a formal ADHD diagnosis, explain what it means, talk through treatment and, where clinically appropriate, start medication. For people in Melbourne and regional Victoria looking for an adult ADHD psychiatrist, that means one clinician from the first consult through to an ongoing plan shared with your GP.
What an adult ADHD assessment involves
An ADHD assessment is a structured clinical process, not a single quiz. Your psychiatrist takes a detailed developmental and current-symptom history, reviews validated questionnaires such as the ASRS, and considers other factors like anxiety, depression or sleep that can look similar to ADHD. It usually takes place over one to three video sessions. You can complete our free ADHD self-check beforehand to help you prepare — it is not a diagnosis, but it helps you describe your experiences.
ADHD diagnosis in Melbourne: who can diagnose adult ADHD?
In Australia, adult ADHD is most often diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Some clinical psychologists also assess for ADHD, but they cannot prescribe, so a psychiatrist is usually still involved if medication is being considered. Which doctors can prescribe ADHD medication, and on what conditions, is set by each state; in Victoria, Dr Nielsen works within the current requirements and coordinates with your GP. If you choose to share it, the written report from your assessment can support study or workplace adjustments.
After your assessment
If ADHD is diagnosed, Dr Nielsen explains the findings and the options in plain terms. Treatment is tailored to you and may include medication, practical strategies, attention to anything that commonly sits alongside ADHD such as anxiety, low mood or sleep problems, and referral to a psychologist or coach. If medication is started there are follow-up appointments while it is adjusted, then care is shared with your usual GP, whether they are from Footscray to Frankston or in Geelong, Ballarat or Bendigo. If the assessment points to something other than ADHD, you get a clear explanation and a plan for that instead.
Referrals, Medicare and prescribing in Victoria
To claim Medicare rebates on your assessment you need a referral from your GP — they can send it directly to us. If ADHD is diagnosed and medication is appropriate, stimulant prescribing is regulated in Victoria; your psychiatrist initiates treatment and then coordinates ongoing prescriptions with your GP in line with current Victoria requirements. Everything is handled by telehealth, so patients across Melbourne and Victoria can start and continue care without travelling.
ADHD assessment in Melbourne — FAQs
Can I get an ADHD diagnosis in Melbourne as an adult?
Yes. Adults of any age can be assessed, and many people are diagnosed for the first time in their 20s, 30s or later. Dr Andrew Nielsen assesses adults across Melbourne and regional Victoria by telehealth and can make a formal diagnosis where the criteria are met.
Is an ADHD diagnosis made by telehealth a formal diagnosis?
Yes. The assessment follows the same clinical process as an in-person appointment: a detailed history, validated questionnaires and consideration of other conditions. The diagnosis is made by a FRANZCP psychiatrist and documented in a report to your GP.
Can I get an ADHD assessment in Melbourne by telehealth?
Yes. Our psychiatrist assesses adults across Melbourne and Victoria entirely by secure video. As long as you have a private space and a stable internet connection, you can complete the full assessment from home.
How much does an ADHD assessment cost in Melbourne?
Fees depend on the length and number of sessions. With a valid GP referral, Medicare rebates apply to your psychiatrist consultations, which reduces the out-of-pocket cost. See our Fees & Medicare page for the current breakdown.
Do I need a referral to be assessed for ADHD in Melbourne?
To access Medicare rebates, yes — a GP referral is required. Your GP can email the referral to us and we will arrange your first telehealth appointment. Without a referral you would pay the full private fee.
Can my ADHD medication be prescribed in Victoria?
If a diagnosis is made and medication is clinically appropriate, your psychiatrist can initiate treatment and coordinate ongoing prescriptions with your GP, in line with current Victoria prescribing rules. This is arranged through telehealth as part of your care.
How long is the wait to be assessed in Melbourne?
Because assessments are delivered by telehealth rather than a fixed local clinic roster, waits are typically much shorter than in-person psychiatry in Melbourne. Once your referral is received we contact you to arrange your first session.
Ready to take the first step?
Book an appointment or send a referral today. Our team will be in touch within one business day.