Key facts
- Number of doses: One every year, 2 if first dose and under 2 years of age.
- Free for: Children aged 6 months to under 5 years, pregnant women, adults 65 years and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 6 months or over, and people with specified medical risk conditions.
- Side effects can include drowsiness, tiredness and muscle aches.
What is flu
Flu (also called influenza) is a very contagious infection that affects the nose, throat and lungs.
Flu spreads through coughing, sneezing and close contact with someone who has the virus.
Flu can be serious, especially for babies, young children, pregnant women, older people and people with certain medical conditions. It can lead to hospitalisation and death.
What is the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is a yearly injection that helps protect people from the flu. It teaches the immune system to recognise and fight the flu virus without causing the disease itself.
Because the flu virus changes over time, the vaccine is updated each year to protect against the strains most likely to spread during flu season. Getting vaccinated every year is the best way to protect yourself from the flu and serious complications.
You can find product information and consumer medicine information about flu vaccines on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website.
Who can get the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is free once per year under the NIP schedule for:
- children aged 6 months to under 5 years
- pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- adults aged 65 years or over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 6 months or over
- people aged 6 months or over with specified medical risk conditions.
Most people, including those with an egg allergy, can safely have a flu vaccine. Talk to your health professional if you have any questions.
You should not have the flu vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous flu vaccine or any of its ingredients.
A cell-based flu vaccine is also available under the NIP for people aged 5 to 64 years with certain medical conditions that increase their risk of serious illness from the flu.
You must also have a Medicare card or be eligible for one. This includes babies and children.
If you are not eligible for the free vaccine through the NIP
Everyone over 6 months of age is recommended to get the flu vaccine every year. If you’re not eligible for a free vaccine, you can buy one privately.
If you buy the vaccine yourself, you will need to pay for it. The cost is not covered or reimbursed through the NIP.
Some vaccines not funded by the NIP may be funded by your state or territory. Check the immunisation schedule for your state or territory to find out more.
How the flu vaccine is given
The vaccine is injected into a muscle (intramuscularly) or under the skin (subcutaneously).
When to get the flu vaccine
Free flu vaccines are usually available from April each year. The timing may be different in your local area.
Get your flu vaccine anytime from April onwards to protect yourself from the peak flu season (usually June to September). You are most protected in the first 3 to 4 months after getting the vaccine.
It’s never too late to get vaccinated. You can get sick with the flu all year round.
Costs
Some providers charge a consultation fee to give vaccines (including free ones). Check before you make an appointment.
Side effects
Common side effects after the flu vaccine can include:
- drowsiness or tiredness
- muscle aches
- pain, redness or swelling where the needle went in
- mild fever.
Occasionally, a lump may form at the injection site. This may last for many weeks, but no treatment is needed.
Find out how to manage common vaccine side effects. If you’re worried, talk to a health professional.
Safety data
See safety data for the 2025 flu vaccines from AusVaxSafety.
This includes data for children aged under 5 years and 5 years to less than 18 years, people aged 50 years and older, pregnant women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Checking immunisation history
You can get proof of vaccination for you or your child. Visit the Check immunisation history page to find out how.
Information for health professionals
If you are a health professional, visit our Vaccination clinical support for health professionals page for more information.
You can also read the Australian Immunisation Handbook Influenza (flu) page.
Next steps
Talk to a health professional to confirm if the flu vaccine is free or recommended for you or your child.
Find a health professional in your area or call your state or territory health department.
More information
View our NIP resources.
Flu vaccine
Find out more about the flu vaccine for pregnant women and newborns, children and teenagers.
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