Your Medicare rebates for ADHD assessment in 2026

The short version: Medicare covers some of it, not all of it, and the gap depends on who you see.

A full adult ADHD assessment in Australia in 2026 costs between $600 and $2,400 out of pocket depending on the clinician and state. Medicare rebates exist but are often smaller than people expect. Here’s what you actually get back.

Step 1: GP referral

Book a long consultation with your GP (item 44, ~$85 rebate). Ask for a written referral to a psychiatrist. Some GPs will also write a Mental Health Treatment Plan (item 2715, ~$100 rebate) which unlocks 10 subsidised psychology sessions.

Step 2: The psychiatrist

A psychiatric assessment is billed under item 291 (initial assessment, ~$440 rebate) or item 296 (longer, ~$520 rebate). The psychiatrist’s actual fee is usually $600–$1,200, so the out-of-pocket gap is $200–$700 on the first visit. Follow-ups are shorter and cheaper.

Step 3: Ongoing prescriptions

Once you have a diagnosis, a standard review every 6–12 months (item 293, ~$150 rebate) keeps your prescription active. Your GP can usually write repeat scripts under shared care.

What’s not covered

Private rating-scale assessments, cognitive testing, and "comprehensive neuropsychology reports" are usually not rebated. They’re rarely required for a diagnosis — don’t pay for them unless a psychiatrist specifically asks for them.

Bulk-billed options

Public mental health services do assess ADHD in some states, free of charge, but wait times can stretch past 18 months. Telepsychiatry services like those available in regional areas sometimes offer lower-gap options.

Costs and item numbers correct as of April 2026 and subject to change at each MBS review.