Schedule
S8
Class
ADHD stimulant
TGA indications
—
Brand names
5 (AU)
Reviewing this for a participant?
Open in the multi-substance review
At a glance
SourcesT1×8·T2×5·T3×53
Verified 10 May 2026(oldest claim)
Also known as
↗ Brand list (Wikipedia)Brand · AU
- Methylphenidate Sandoz XR
- Methylphenidate-Teva XR
- Ritalin
- Ritalin LA
- Concerta
§01
Jurisdictional framework
Select your state to see jurisdictional framework, reporting obligations, and authority links. Substance information above is the same in every state.
Restrictive practice framework8 states
ACT2 citations
- In the Australian Capital Territory, use of Methylphenidate as chemical restraint is regulated by the Senior Practitioner Act 2018 (ACT), which establishes the Office of the Senior Practitioner with independent oversight across disability services, education, residential care, and child protection. A Positive Behaviour Support Plan must justify the practice as the least-restrictive option, with active reduction strategies. The ACT framework's stated aim is the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices.
- Statutory anchor: Methylphenidate use as chemical restraint in the ACT is regulated by the Senior Practitioner Act 2018 (ACT). The Act's stated object is the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices and it applies broader-than-NDIS oversight: disability services, education, residential care, and child protection all sit within scope.
NSW1 citation
- In New South Wales, use of Methylphenidate as chemical restraint by a registered NDIS provider must be authorised under the NSW Restrictive Practices Authorisation framework administered by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ). Authorisation requires a Behaviour Support Plan documenting the practice, evidence that it is the least-restrictive option, and a documented reduction strategy. Psychotropic medications used as restraint should be reviewed at least every six months by a medical practitioner and at least every twelve months by a psychiatrist.
NT1 citation
- In the Northern Territory, use of Methylphenidate as chemical restraint by a registered NDIS service provider requires authorisation by the NT Senior Practitioner via the Restrictive Practice Authorisation System administered by NT Health. Applications must include the Behaviour Support Plan, evidence of consultation with the participant and relevant others, particulars of the providers applying the practice, and a summary of every restrictive practice applied in the preceding 12 months.
QLD4 citations
- In Queensland, use of Methylphenidate as chemical restraint on an adult with disability requires consent from a restrictive-practices guardian appointed by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), or short-term approval by the chief executive of the relevant disability service while a Positive Behaviour Support Plan is being developed. The Office of the Public Guardian acts as substitute decision-maker where appointed. Use must be the least-restrictive option to prevent serious harm and is subject to reduction planning.
- In Queensland, use of Methylphenidate as chemical restraint by funded disability service providers is governed by the Disability Services Act 2006 (Qld) and the positive behaviour support / restrictive practices framework administered by the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety. Authorisation must follow assessment by an appropriately qualified practitioner, a Positive Behaviour Support Plan, and the legislative tests of least-restrictive practice and reduction planning. Authorisation is granted per restrictive-practice type — separate authorisation is required for each.
- Statutory anchor: substitute decision-making for Methylphenidate use as chemical restraint on adults with impaired capacity in Queensland is governed by the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 (Qld). Chapter 5B Part 4 sets out QCAT's powers to appoint a restrictive-practices guardian and the Office of the Public Guardian's role as substitute decision-maker.
- Statutory anchor: Methylphenidate use as chemical restraint by funded disability service providers in Queensland is regulated by the Disability Services Act 2006 (Qld), Chapter 5B of which sets out the positive behaviour support and restrictive-practice authorisation framework. The PBSRP Reform Bill 2024 lapsed in October 2024; the existing framework remains in force.
SA2 citations
- In South Australia, use of Methylphenidate as chemical restraint is a Level 2 restrictive practice under the SA Restrictive Practices Authorisation Scheme (in force from 30 May 2022) and can only be authorised by the Senior Authorising Officer — Authorised Program Officers cannot approve chemical restraint. Authorisation requires a Behaviour Support Plan, advice from a Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner, and consultation with the participant and their family. The scheme is administered by the Restrictive Practices Unit within the Department of Human Services.
- Statutory anchor: Methylphenidate use as chemical restraint in South Australia is regulated by the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA), with the operative detail in the Disability Inclusion (Restrictive Practices — NDIS) Regulations 2021. Together they establish the two-tier authorisation scheme (Authorised Program Officer for Level 1, Senior Authorising Officer for Level 2 including chemical restraint) in force from 30 May 2022.
TAS2 citations
- In Tasmania, use of Methylphenidate as chemical restraint by a disability service provider requires authorisation by the Tasmanian Senior Practitioner under the Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Act 2024 (Tas). The Senior Practitioner authorises, oversees, and reports on restrictive practice use in NDIS-funded and Department of Communities Services–funded disability services, with a statutory requirement to protect the rights of people subject to restrictive practices to the greatest extent possible.
- Statutory anchor: Methylphenidate use as chemical restraint by disability service providers in Tasmania is regulated by the Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Act 2024 (Tas), which establishes the Tasmanian Senior Practitioner with statutory powers to authorise, oversee, and report on restrictive-practice use in NDIS-funded and Department of Communities Services–funded disability services.
VIC2 citations
- In Victoria, use of Methylphenidate as chemical restraint requires authorisation by the Victorian Senior Practitioner under the Disability Act 2006 (Vic). Authorisation must satisfy the legislative tests of necessity to prevent harm, least-restrictive option, and a documented reduction plan.
- Statutory anchor: Methylphenidate use as chemical restraint in Victoria is regulated by the Disability Act 2006 (Vic), Part 7 of which establishes the Senior Practitioner role and the regulated-restrictive-practice authorisation framework. The Act's tests of necessity, least-restrictive option, and reduction planning are statutorily binding.
WA1 citation
- In Western Australia, use of Methylphenidate as chemical restraint requires authorisation through a Quality Assurance Panel under the WA Department of Communities Authorisation of Restrictive Practices framework (effective 1 December 2020). The panel must include at least two decision-makers: a senior manager from the implementing provider and an independent NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner external to that provider who did not write the Behaviour Support Plan. Unlike single-administrator state models, the panel decision is the authorisation.
- ↗NDIS CommissionT2✓
- ↗NDIS ActT2✓
- ↗ACSQHC Psychotropic Medicines in Cognitive Disability or Impairment Clinical Care Standard (2024)T2✓
§04
PBS-subsidised indications
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder↗PBST2✓
Show clinical criteria
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Clinical criteria: Patient must have demonstrated a response to immediate-release methylphenidate hydrochloride with no emergence of serious adverse events, AND Patient must require continuous coverage over 8 hours, AND The treatment must not exceed a maximum daily dose of 80 mg of PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug. Population criteria: Patient must be or have been diagnosed between the ages of 6 and 17 years inclusive; OR Patient must have had a diagnosis of ADHD prior to turning 18 years of age if PBS-subsidised treatment is continuing beyond 18 years of age; OR Patient must have a retrospective diagnosis of ADHD if PBS-subsidised treatment is commencing after turning 18 years of age; OR Patient must have had a retrospective diagnosis of ADHD if PBS-subsidised treatment is continuing in a patient who commenced PBS-subsidised treatment after turning 18 years of age. Treatment criteria: Must be treated by a health practitioner who is any of: (i) a medical practitioner, (ii) a nurse practitioner who is continuing treatment with this medicine (of any strength) that was initiated by a medical practitioner as a PBS benefit. A retrospective diagnosis of ADHD for the purposes of administering this restriction is: (i) the presence of pre-existing childhood symptoms of ADHD (onset during the developmental period, typically early to mid-childhood); and (ii) documentation in the patient's medical records that an in-depth clinical interview with, or, obtainment of evidence from, either a: (a) parent, (b) teacher, (c) sibling, (d) third party, has occurred and which supports point (i) above.
§05
Adverse effects
Serious
- cerebrovascular disorders↗TGA PIT1✓
- severe headache, unilateral weakness or paralysis, and impairment of coordination, vision, speech, language, or memory↗TGA PIT1✓
- cerebral ischemia↗TGA PIT1✓
- temporary slowing in growth rate (on average, a total of about 2 cm less growth in height and 2.7 kg less growth in weight over 3 years)↗TGA PIT1✓
Curated subset. The full adverse-effect list is in the TGA Product Information; click any citation above to open it.
§06
Contraindications
- Motor and verbal tics and worsening of Tourette's syndrome↗TGA PIT1✓
Reviewing this for a participant?
Open in the multi-substance review
Reference page·RP Check is informational, not clinical advice·a PracticeWise project
Working under the parallel aged-care framework? Aged-care equivalent →