If you are looking for information COVID-19 vaccines, please visit the COVID-19 vaccination page.
Routine vaccines for children
The National Immunisation Program provides the routine childhood immunisations recommended for all children in Australia, free of charge.
This helps to protect them from the most serious childhood infections, some of which may threaten their lives. Some children may need extra vaccines. Speak to your doctor about your child’s specific needs.
Routine childhood immunisations help to protect your child against:
|
Age |
Disease |
|---|---|
|
Birth |
Hepatitis B (usually offered in hospital) |
|
2 months (can be given from 6 weeks of age) |
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Rotavirus, Pneumococcal |
|
4 months |
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Rotavirus, Pneumococcal |
| 6 months to less than 5 years (given annually) | Influenza |
|
6 months |
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) |
|
12 months
|
|
|
18 months
|
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox (varicella) Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) |
|
4 years |
Find more information on:
National Immunisation Program childhood schedule fridge magnet card
Influenza
Influenza can be serious for young children. Yearly influenza immunisation is free through the NIP for all children aged 6 months to less than 5 years and for people with certain medical conditions that make them more likely to get severe influenza.
Find more information on the Influenza vaccine.
Access to family assistance payments and childcare immunisation requirements
To access family assistance payments such as Family Tax Benefit (Part A) and Child Care Subsidies children are required to be vaccinated against the diseases as per the age appropriate early childhood vaccination schedule.
Additionally, some states and territories may require a child to meet the immunisation requirements, or provide an immunisation record, to enrol in early education and care services.
Find more information: Immunisations for access to family assistance payments and early childhood services.
Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
As well as the routine childhood vaccinations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can have the following extra free vaccines:
- additional doses of pneumococcal vaccine
- meningococcal B vaccine
- hepatitis A vaccine for children living in WA, NT, SA and Qld.
- annual influenza vaccine each year from 6 months
Find more information on Immunisations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Children with medical risk conditions
Some children have medical risk conditions that increase their risk of disease. They can get extra free vaccines. This is in addition to the routine childhood vaccinations.
Find more information: Immunisations for people with medical risk conditions
Missed vaccinations
All children should receive any missed routine childhood vaccinations. Children who missed their recommended vaccines in childhood can still receive them free under the National Immunisation Program up until they turn 20 years old (25 years of age for HPV vaccine).
Refugees and other humanitarian entrants of any age can also get National Immunisation Program vaccines for free. This is if they did not receive the vaccines in childhood and they are still clinically recommended.
Check the National Immunisation Program schedule and talk to your doctor if your child has not had all the recommended vaccinations.
See Getting vaccinated for information on where to get vaccinated, what to expect, immunisation records and possible side effects.