Getting an ADHD assessment for adults in Melbourne can feel confusing, particularly if you are unsure where to start or which professional to see. Many adults begin exploring ADHD assessment after noticing long-standing difficulties with focus, organisation, time management, emotional regulation, or daily functioning at work or home.
A formal assessment is often the first step. However, for many adults, ongoing functional support is just as important. This page explains how adult ADHD assessment works in Melbourne and how mobile occupational therapy can support adults after assessment or diagnosis by helping them apply practical strategies in real-life settings.
Adults in Melbourne typically begin the ADHD assessment process in one of two ways.
Seeing your GP is the most common starting point. Your GP can review your current concerns, functional challenges, and relevant history, then refer you to a psychiatrist and/or psychologist for further assessment.
A GP referral is required if:
Some private psychologists and telehealth services accept self-referrals for ADHD assessments and written reports. This pathway can explore symptoms, daily functioning, and provide recommendations.
However, self-referral does not provide access to Medicare rebates for psychiatrist appointments or ADHD medication. A GP referral is still required for those.
Your GP may specifically request Medicare item 291, which is a one-off comprehensive psychiatric assessment and management plan provided by a psychiatrist. This item must be clearly requested on the GP referral.
Item 291 allows a Medicare rebate for a detailed psychiatric assessment and a written report back to your GP. It supports thorough evaluation but does not replace the psychiatrist’s role in diagnosis, treatment decisions, or ongoing care.
According to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Item 291), this item provides a one-off rebate for a comprehensive psychiatric assessment and written management plan when specifically requested by a GP.
Psychologists commonly conduct detailed ADHD assessments, which may include:
Psychologists do not prescribe medication and do not make the formal medical diagnosis, but their reports often inform diagnostic decisions and support planning.
In Australia, psychologists do not prescribe medication or provide medical diagnoses, but they commonly conduct detailed ADHD assessments that inform diagnostic and treatment decisions.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who:
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are qualified to diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication where clinically appropriate.
Mobile occupational therapy does not diagnose ADHD, but it can play an important role before or after assessment. Mobile occupational therapists support adults with the functional impacts of ADHD, such as organisation, routines, time management, and daily living skills, often working from recommendations provided by psychologists or psychiatrists.
Adults in Melbourne can access ADHD assessments through:
Mobile occupational therapy services, such as those provided by Roaming Therapy, complement these pathways by supporting adults in their own homes or community settings after assessment.
While formats vary between providers, adult ADHD assessments commonly include:
These assessment components are consistent with Australian best-practice guidelines for the assessment of ADHD in adults.
Many private adult ADHD assessments are completed over approximately 2–3 sessions, including interviews and a written report, though the number and format varies by provider.
Mobile occupational therapy can help adults apply assessment recommendations in daily life once this process is complete.
Costs vary depending on the provider and assessment type.
After an ADHD assessment or diagnosis, many adults benefit from ongoing, practical support.
Mobile occupational therapy for ADHD adults focuses on functional, real-world strategies rather than diagnosis. At Roaming Therapy, this may include:
For eligible participants, these supports may be accessed through NDIS occupational therapy under capacity-building or improved daily living goals. Mobile and in-home therapy can reduce travel barriers and allow support to be tailored to the environments where challenges occur.
Many adult ADHD assessments involve approximately 2–3 sessions, often lasting 60–90 minutes each, though this varies by provider.
Some psychologists accept self-referrals. However, a GP referral is required for psychiatrist assessments, Medicare rebates, and ADHD medication.
Partial rebates may be available for psychiatrist assessments, including Medicare item 291, when specifically requested by a GP. Psychologist sessions may also attract rebates under a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
Ongoing support may include psychology, ADHD coaching, occupational therapy, and NDIS-funded supports where eligible.
Mobile occupational therapy helps adults apply strategies in daily life, supporting organisation, routines, independence, and functional goals in the home or community.
If you have completed an ADHD assessment or are seeking practical, functional support, Roaming Therapy provides mobile occupational therapy across Melbourne. Our therapists work with adults in their own environment to build sustainable strategies that support everyday life.
Book a mobile occupational therapy session today to start personalised, home-based ADHD support.
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