Our pathways
ADHD assessment & diagnosis
A structured, evidence-based pathway for adults seeking clarity around ADHD. From your first GP referral through to diagnosis and ongoing management, every step is designed to be thorough, efficient, and as cost-effective as possible.
Step 1 — Getting started
How your journey begins
Every pathway at Shama Health begins the same way — with a GP referral and a careful triage process.
GP sends referral
We triage
Accepted
Intake forms emailed
You complete & email back
We call to book
Step 2 — The ADHD pathway
Your assessment and diagnosis journey
Once booked, your ADHD assessment follows a structured clinical pathway. Each stage builds on the last — designed to reach an accurate diagnosis and a clear management plan as efficiently as possible.
NURSE PRACTITIONER — SESSION 1 OF 2
Initial assessment — history & background
A detailed clinical interview exploring your full personal and family history, current symptoms, and any co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or learning difficulties. A comprehensive report is prepared for the psychiatrist so your specialist appointment is focused and informed.
NURSE PRACTITIONER — SESSION 2 OF 2
Deep-dive assessment — completing the picture
A second detailed interview to explore any remaining history, gather collateral information, and complete validated ADHD assessment tools. The nurse practitioner finalises a thorough clinical report for the psychiatrist, ensuring no detail is missed before your diagnosis appointment.
PSYCHIATRIST — DIAGNOSIS APPOINTMENT
ADHD assessment, diagnosis & management plan
Armed with the nurse practitioner's detailed report, your psychiatrist conducts a focused diagnostic interview and reaches a clinical diagnosis. A personalised management plan is written — shared with both you and your GP — and you are discharged back to the nurse practitioner for ongoing medication management.
NURSE PRACTITIONER — ONGOING REVIEWS
Medication titration & monitoring
Following diagnosis, you will have regular short reviews with your nurse practitioner to titrate your medication — gradually adjusting the dose until you reach a stable, effective level with minimal side effects. Most patients reach stability within 2–4 reviews, though this varies individually.
Most patients reach stability within 2–4 reviews, though this varies individually.
Once stabilised — discharge to GP
Ongoing care returns to your GP
Once your medication is stable and your condition is well managed, you are discharged back to your GP for ongoing prescriptions and monitoring. The process differs slightly depending on your state.
Queensland (QLD)
Your nurse practitioner discharges you back to your GP directly in a short appointment. Your GP takes over ongoing prescribing and monitoring.
Victoria (VIC)
A psychiatrist appointment is required to formally discharge you back to your GP. This is billed at the equivalent of a 45-minute review.
Fees — ADHD pathway
What your ADHD assessment costs
We believe in transparent pricing. Below is the complete fee schedule for the ADHD assessment pathway, including any applicable Medicare rebates.
| Consultation type | Fee | Out of pocket |
|---|---|---|
| NURSE PRACTITIONER | ||
NP assessment — session 1 History, comorbidities, initial clinical report | $250 | No Medicare rebate |
NP assessment — session 2 Deep-dive assessment, validated tools, final report | $250 | No Medicare rebate |
NP review — medication titration Ongoing dose adjustment until stable | $100 | No Medicare rebate |
NP discharge to GP (QLD only) Formal discharge back to GP | $100 | No rebate |
| PSYCHIATRIST | ||
ADHD diagnosis & management plan Diagnostic interview, formal diagnosis, management plan to GP | $700 | Max $437.90 |
Discharge to GP — 45 min review (VIC only) Formal psychiatrist discharge required in Victoria | $600 | Max $415.10 |
Please note
Payments & Cancellations
• A reminder is sent 5 business days before your appointment. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let us know by 5pm on the day you receive this reminder — that's when our team finishes for the day, so we're only able to action requests received by then.
• Cancellations or reschedules requested after this time, or non-attendance, will incur the full appointment fee.
• Your appointment fee is charged to the card on file 4 days before your session.
• If payment doesn't go through, we'll contact you by email and SMS straight away, and try again that evening. If it's still unresolved, your slot will be released to another patient on the waitlist.
• Your Medicare rebate is claimed after your appointment takes place.
Private practice
We are a private (non-bulk billing) practice. Gap fees apply — the out-of-pocket cost is the difference between our fee and the Medicare rebate.
Individual fee structures
Individual doctors may have different fee structures, particularly for ADHD and ASD assessments. Please contact our admin team for your specific doctor's fee schedule.
Out-of-consultation scripts
Out-of-consultation scripts are not a routine service and will only be issued where clinically appropriate. Please ensure you are booked with your prescribing clinician well in advance — our psychiatrists can be booked weeks ahead.
Medicare Safety Net
Ready to refer?
Send a referral today
We accept GP referrals via email. Include a brief clinical summary and the patient's preferred contact details. Our admin team will follow up within 2 business days.
admin@shamahealth.com.auGet in touch
Contact Us
We're here Monday to Friday. Reach out and we'll get back to you promptly.
Fax
07 2143 6768
For clinical correspondence
Hours
Mon – Fri
9:00am – 5:00pm AEST
About our phone system: Calls go to a triage voicemail. Leave your name and the reason for your call. We'll either action your request and confirm by SMS, or call you back within 60 minutes.
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