A clear picture of attention, focus and follow-through
Comprehensive, neuroaffirming ADHD assessment in Melbourne children, teens and adults — an assessment that looks at attention, impulsivity and executive function across real settings, not just a single checklist in one room.
- Children, teens and adults
- Comprehensive or brief options
- No referral required
Who Conducts an ADHD Assessment?
Provisional vs registered psychologist — what’s the difference?
Our fees are structured around this distinction, so it’s worth understanding upfront.
Provisional Psychologist
Completing their final year of supervised practice. Every report is reviewed and signed off by their individual supervisor before it’s issued, and carries the same standing for schools, workplaces and NDIS applications as a registered psychologist’s report.
Registered Psychologist
Fully qualified and working independently, without a supervision requirement on the report itself.
What’s Involved in an ADHD Assessment
The full assessment, step by step
Comprehensive Interview
Covers early development, behaviour, strengths and current concerns, using the DIVA or Young DIVA diagnostic interview alongside a full developmental history. Depending on age, we’ll usually also interview the young person directly to hear their own perspective.
Kinder or School Observation
Children only
Where relevant, we observe your child at kinder or school to see how they interact with peers and educators in a familiar, structured setting.
Cognitive Assessment
Age-matched Wechsler testing (WPPSI-IV, WISC-V or WAIS-IV) to understand how the brain processes information.
- Verbal Comprehension
- Visual-Spatial Reasoning
- Fluid Reasoning
- Working Memory
- Processing Speed
Social-Emotional and Executive Function Questionnaires
Completed by you, and where relevant by parents, teachers or partners — these cover behaviour, emotional regulation and executive function day to day.
Report and Feedback
A written report covering strengths, challenges, diagnosis (where applicable) and specific recommendations, walked through in a dedicated feedback session. We call again two weeks later to check in on anything that’s come up since.
Getting Ready for an ADHD Assessment
How to prepare – and why there’s not much to do
There’s nothing to study or rehearse — this isn’t a test you can prepare for in the usual sense. A little reflection beforehand can still make the interview more useful, if it’s helpful to you.
Looking Back
- For a child: a baby book, old school reports or early videos can jog memories of developmental milestones
- For an adult: it can help to ask a parent or sibling what school and early childhood were actually like
Thinking About Now
- For a child: current play and social preferences, sensory needs, and what they’re genuinely good at
- For an adult: how you learn best, and where your interests and strengths tend to show up
Fees
What’s Included, and What It Costs
Comprehensive Assessment – Children and Adolescents
Provisional Psychologist
$1880-2355
- Parent/Carer Interview (1.5hrs)
- Interview with young person (if required; 1hr)
- Cognitive Assessment (2hrs)
- Teacher consultation (30min)
- School observation (if required; 1 hr)
- Social-Emotional Questionnaires
- Comprehensive Written Report
- Feedback (1.5hrs)
Registered Psychologist
$2560-3275
- Parent/Carer Interview (1.5hrs)
- Interview with young person (if required; 1hr)
- Cognitive Assessment (2hrs)
- Teacher consultation (30min)
- Social-Emotional Questionnaires
- Comprehensive Written Report
- Feedback (1.5hrs)
Cost may depend on complexity and whether additional observations are required, and whether you book with a provisional or registered psychologist. You’ll get an exact quote after the intake call.
If a cognitive assessment has already been completed elsewhere in the last 12 months, the fee may reduce — mention this at intake and we’ll confirm whether it applies.
Comprehensive Assessment – Adults
Provisional Psychologist
$1775
- Diagnostic Interview (1.5hrs)
- Cognitive Assessment (2hrs)
- Social-Emotional Questionnaires
- Comprehensive Written Report
- Feedback (1.5hrs)
Registered Psychologist
$2355
- Diagnostic Interview (1.5hrs)
- Cognitive Assessment (2hrs)
- Social-Emotional Questionnaires
- Comprehensive Written Report
- Feedback (1.5hrs)
Brief Assessment – Adults
Provisional Psychologist
$935
- Diagnostic Interview (1.5hrs)
- Social-Emotional Questionnaires
- Diagnostic Letter (3-5 pages)
- Feedback (1hr)
Registered Psychologist
$1255
- Diagnostic Interview (1.5hrs)
- Social-Emotional Questionnaires
- Diagnostic Letter (3-5 pages)
- Feedback (1hr)
Funding Options
Medicare
Medicare doesn’t cover a standalone ADHD assessment — worth knowing upfront so it isn’t a surprise later. (The exception is if ADHD is being assessed alongside autism under a Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders referral — ask us if that might apply to your situation.)
NDIS
Some assessments may be covered under your NDIS plan – speak to your Local Area Coordinator to find out. Please note NDIS does not typically fund diagnostic assessments.
Private Health
Some extras policies offer a partial rebate – speak to your health provider to confirm. Please note that provisional psychologists are not eligible to receive a rebate under some health insurers.
Common Questions
Can a psychologist prescribe medication?
No — psychologists aren’t medical practitioners. If you’re considering medication for ADHD, that conversation needs to happen with a psychiatrist or paediatrician, though our assessment report is exactly what they’ll need to have that conversation from an informed starting point.
What’s the difference between going to a psychologist and a psychiatrist for an ADHD diagnosis?
A psychological assessment tends to go deeper into how the brain actually works day to day — including executive function — which is useful for building practical strategies, not just reaching a diagnosis. Worth knowing: even with a psychologist’s diagnosis in hand, most psychiatrists and paediatricians will still want to complete their own assessment before prescribing. You can find a registered psychiatrist through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
Looking for other services?
READY TO BOOK AN ASSESSMENT?
Get In Touch
Start with a short intake call — we’ll talk through what’s going on and confirm whether a comprehensive or brief assessment fits best.