The words
in the rules.
Plain-English meanings of the terms you will meet in ADHD prescribing rules, each linked to the government page it comes from.
Approved by Foundlab, 26 September 2026. Definitions follow the linked government pages. Not individual medical advice.
Schedule 8 (S8) medicine
The schedule that ADHD stimulant medicines such as methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine belong to. States and territories set extra rules on who may prescribe Schedule 8 medicines and when a prescriber needs an approval.
Sources: NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, ADHD in general practice: questions for clinicians ↗; Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, medicine finder (Ritalin) ↗; NSW Health, prescribing psychostimulant medicines ↗
Psychostimulant
The group of ADHD medicines that includes dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulant ADHD medicines such as atomoxetine, guanfacine and clonidine are not subject to the same prescribing controls.
Source: NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, ADHD in general practice: questions for clinicians ↗
Approval, authority or permit to prescribe
Permission from a state or territory health department that a prescriber may need before prescribing a Schedule 8 psychostimulant. Each state uses its own name and process, for example a NSW Health approval, a Victorian permit, a Tasmanian authorisation or a South Australian section 18A authority.
Sources: NSW Health, prescribing psychostimulant medicines ↗; Victorian Department of Health, stimulants for ADHD: permit requirements ↗; Tasmanian Department of Health, seeking authorisation to prescribe S8 psychostimulants ↗; SA Health, prescribing drugs of dependence ↗
PBS authority
Lets you get a medicine at the subsidised Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme price. It is not the same as the state or territory approval a prescriber may need to prescribe a Schedule 8 medicine.
Sources: NSW Health, prescribing psychostimulant medicines ↗; SA Health, prescribing drugs of dependence ↗
Continuation prescriber (NSW)
A NSW GP who has completed accepted training and holds an authority to prescribe ongoing ADHD treatment, under specific conditions, for people aged 6 and over who already have a diagnosis.
Sources: NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, ADHD in general practice: questions for clinicians ↗; NSW Health, prescribing psychostimulant medicines ↗
Endorsed prescriber (NSW)
A NSW GP continuation prescriber with additional accredited training who may assess and diagnose ADHD and start treatment where appropriate.
Sources: NSW Health, prescribing psychostimulant medicines ↗; NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, ADHD in general practice: questions for clinicians ↗
Treatment permit (Victoria)
Most medical practitioners in Victoria need a permit before prescribing ADHD stimulants such as dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate. Applications can be made in SafeScript. Some exceptions apply for paediatricians and psychiatrists.
Source: Victorian Department of Health, stimulants for ADHD: permit requirements ↗
Section 59E authorisation (Tasmania)
The Tasmanian authorisation a prescriber applies for to prescribe Schedule 8 psychostimulants to a patient. Authorisations are generally issued for up to 36 months; for a child, until the child turns 18.
Source: Tasmanian Department of Health, seeking authorisation to prescribe S8 psychostimulants ↗
Monitored Drugs Prescribing Code (South Australia)
A South Australian code for prescribing monitored drugs. SA Health says a prescriber who prescribes Schedule 8 stimulants in accordance with the code does not need a section 18A authority.
Real-time prescription monitoring
A national system that monitors the prescribing and dispensing of medicines each state and territory chooses to monitor, to reduce their misuse. Each state runs its own version; in Victoria it is called SafeScript.
Sources: Australian Government, National Real Time Prescription Monitoring ↗; Victorian Department of Health, stimulants for ADHD: permit requirements ↗
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
The leaflet for a particular medicine brand, written for the person taking it. It covers how to use the medicine and important safety information. The Commission's medicine finder links to the CMI for each brand.
Source: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, medicine finder (Ritalin) ↗