Immunisation

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect you, your family and others in the community from serious diseases. The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free vaccines against a number of diseases, to increase national immunisation rates and reduce vaccine preventable disease.

When to get vaccinated

Find out when to get vaccinated and what vaccinations are provided for free.

Check the National Immunisation Schedule

The schedule sets out free vaccinations given at specific times throughout your life, from birth to adulthood.

Check immunisation history

Find out what vaccines you or your child has received and request an immunisation history statement.

Find out about free vaccines

Find out about free vaccines available through the National Immunisation Program.

COVID-19 vaccines

If you are looking for information about COVID-19 vaccines, please visit the COVID-19 vaccines page

National Immunisation Program

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free essential vaccines to protect eligible people against a range of diseases.

Learn more about the NIP

Influenza vaccination

The best way to protect against influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated each year. The influenza vaccine is recommended for all people aged 6 months and over. For some people the vaccine is free.

Shingles vaccination

There are changes to the shingles vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Free shingles vaccination under the NIP is available for eligible people most at risk of complications from shingles. Find information about the shingles vaccine.

Childhood vaccination

Childhood immunisation is a safe, free and effective way to protect your kids from serious diseases. On time vaccination will give your child the best protection.

Get all your questions answered

  • Why do we need vaccines?
  • What do vaccines do?
  • Are vaccines safe for my child?
  • Can my child be vaccinated and when should they be vaccinated?

Newsletters for health professionals

Subscribe to NIP updates

Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest clinical and program guidance on the National Immunisation Program (NIP), to help you deliver immunisation services to your patients.

Subscribe to AIH updates

Subscribe to receive notifications about updates to the Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH).

Quick links for health professionals

View the National Immunisation Schedule

The National Immunisation Program Schedule sets out the funded vaccines for children, adolescents and adults at scheduled ages.

Plan catch-up immunisations

Find out how to plan catch-up immunisations for patients who have delayed or missed vaccine doses. Use the calculator to create a catch-up schedule for children 0 to 10 years of age.

Use the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

Find out how to use the AIR to record vaccines you give to your patients, check which vaccines your patients may have had and if they are overdue for any vaccines.

View the Australian Immunisation Handbook

The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides guidelines for healthcare professionals about using vaccines safely and effectively.

General public resources

General public resources

3:16

Childhood immunisations – how do they work?

Parents and carers have lots of questions about childhood immunisations, and how they work to protect their child against illness. In this video, Australian Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan answers some of the top questions.
5:05

Childhood immunisations – the schedule

The National Immunisation Program schedule outlines the routine childhood immunisations recommended for all children in Australia. In this video, Australian Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan answers questions from parents and carers about the schedule.
3:00

Childhood immunisations – vaccine safety

Childhood immunisation is a safe and effective way to protect children against serious disease. Vaccines go through many stages of development and testing. Australian Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan explains how vaccine safety is ensured.

Health sector resources

Health sector resources

2024 PHN Childhood immunisation coverage data

These spreadsheets provide 2024 childhood immunisation coverage data by Primary Health Network (PHN), for all children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Did you know?

92.82%

Immunisation coverage for all one year olds

95.23%

Immunisation coverage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 5 year olds

93.85%

Immunisation coverage for all 5 year olds

Source: Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) annualised quarterly reports, June 2024.