About Jess Kennedy

My name is Jess Kennedy, and I am a Mental Health, ADHD, and Addiction Advocate, as well as a public speaker and occasional MC.

I’m writing to bring your attention to a parliamentary petition that has been gaining momentum regarding Victoria’s lack of progress in ADHD diagnosis and prescribing reforms.

While every other state has moved forward with reforms in line with the RANZCP and AADPA guidelines, Premier Jacinta Allen has ignored the issue—despite multiple emails from federal MPs requesting an explanation.

The petition reads as follows:

Issue:
This petition of residents in Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Assembly we call on the Victorian Government to allow GPs to diagnose and prescribe for ADHD after announcements in Western Australia, the ACT, and New South Wales. ADHD is within the scope of general practice, with education available for GPs through the current curriculum for RACGP GP training and ADHD modules in the College’s gplearning platform. Specialist GPs are often patients’ first point of contact for an ADHD assessment and often manage their patients’ ADHD in shared care arrangements with treating psychiatrists and paediatricians. But in Victoria, GPs are not authorised to diagnose ADHD or start patients on stimulant medication and must obtain a permit to prescribe stimulant medication for each patient under Victorian regulations. As in other jurisdictions, GPs must also receive authorisation for each prescription under Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme rules.

Around 1 million Australians are delaying or skipping specialist appointments due to high cost and lack of availability. Psychiatrists are at the top of the list, charging fees that are inaccessible to many Victorians. There are no public ADHD diagnostic services. Most patients have to pay over $1000 for a private diagnostic assessment, some up to $2000. GPs already play an important role in supporting patients who have ADHD, and are well-placed to take on the roles of assessment and prescribing. This would ensure that people have greater access to potentially life-changing care.

Action:
The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly Call on the Labor Government to implement reforms that allow GPs to diagnose and prescribe medication to treat ADHD.

(there is currently an active petition in the Legislative Assembley – you can see that here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/train-gps-to-diagnose-and-treat-adhd?fbclid=IwY2xjawMBRQ9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHs205hzA384SHqTmlgh9hm3fy7wvo4WRlHfzPgkpbA2fIYjuWSwjYVrNa2l7_aem_HM0cGM2wGS99ytY1Ysr5Gw

The Human Impact

Right now, many people are forced to use expensive telehealth clinics that charge over $1,000 for a single assessment report—with no prescribing or follow-up care. These clinics only exist because our mainstream system is failing.

A personal example: my wife was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Like many, she felt grief for the years lost without support, and hope for the future. But when she returned to her long-term GP in Eltham, she was told the entire clinic refuses to prescribe ADHD medication—even with the required authority in hand.

We contacted nine other GP practices between Eltham and Doreen. All refused.

Only my GP in Croydon, who already manages my ADHD care, agreed to take her on—but most people don’t have that option.

This barrier would disappear if Victoria followed other states and trained 1,000 GPs in ADHD diagnosis and treatment.

Why This Matters

As someone who has lived with ADHD and worked in the mental health sector for years, I’ve seen the real impact—especially in workplaces. I’ve experienced discrimination, burnout, and being pushed out of lived experience roles.

Now, I’m fortunate to work at the Whittlesea Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub—a workplace that embraces diversity and neurodivergence. (In fact, 90% of our staff have ADHD, which makes for a dynamic and creative team!)

We currently have children as young as five and adults well into their fifties unable to access care. Without reform, we are creating a preventable healthcare crisis.

Victoria can choose to be a leader—not because it’s forced to act, but because it values its people.

I would greatly appreciate any publicity that can be offered to this issue. I am aiming for 10,000 signatures to trigger a debate in parliament if the Labour Government continues to ignore the importance of this chage.

I’m happy to answer any questions or discuss further. My contact details are below, and I’ve attached a case study graphic showing current costs and wait times.

Kind regards,

Jess

______________________________

Jess Kennedy

www.jesskennedy.com.au

contact@jesskennedy.com.au

0422 682 302

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia