The following Word and PDF documents provide national conscientious objection yearly, from 1999 to 2015. Conscientious objection statistics are given as at a point in time, not a total number recorded each year. Only historical conscientious objection data is published on this page.
Background to data:
Formal objections were accepted into the AIR against a child’s record until 31 December 2015. A conscientious objection form must have been lodged and signed by both a recognised immunisation provider and a parent or guardian to be valid. An immunisation provider must declare that they have explained both of the following to the parent or guardian:
- risks and benefits associated with immunisation
- potential dangers of a child not being immunised.
Since 1 January 2016, conscientious objection has been removed as a valid exemption from immunisation requirements for family payments. Families can only receive family assistance payments linked to immunisation status such as childcare assistance and Family Tax Benefit Part A Supplement if their child/ren:
- are fully immunised
- are on a recognised immunisation catch- up schedule, or
- has/ve a medical exemption.
Services Australia has further details about immunisation requirements and immunisation medical objections.