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.

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

Annual vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and it complications. The best way to protect against influenza 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. 

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?

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.

Immunisation program updates

Health professionals can sign up to receive the latest clinical updates and guidance on the National Immunisation Program.

Latest news

Latest news

Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 update 8 May 2023

In this issue, read about managing COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccination booster doses, influenza vaccinations, accessing COVID-19 PCR testing through Medicare, IPC Lead Nurse training grants, PPE winter deployment, and the ACCPA Winter preparedness webinar.

Latest general public resources

Latest resources - public

Influenza (flu) immunisation data – 1 March to 29 May – 2020–2023

This infographic shows the number of flu (influenza) vaccinations reported to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) during the 2020-2023, since 1 March.

COVID-19 vaccine rollout update – 26 May 2023

This presentation, delivered on 26 May 2023, contains an update to Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

COVID-19 vaccination – vaccination data – 26 May 2023

This data file contains statistical data about Australia's COVID-19 vaccinations.

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) Annual Statement on Immunisation 2023

The ATAGI 2023 Annual Statement on Immunisation is the third publication in this series. It covers key successes, trends and challenges in the use of vaccines and control of vaccine-preventable diseases in 2023. It also signals ATAGI’s priority actions for addressing key issues for 2023.

Latest health sector resources

Latest health sector resources

Childhood vaccinations – Your questions answered – FAQ

Have any questions about immunisation or vaccinations? We have compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about childhood vaccinations

Advisory Committee for the COVID-19 Response for People with Disability – Summary of outcomes 3 April 2023

This communique provides a summary of the advisory committee's meeting on 3 April 2023.

Vaccine Clinic Finder (VCF) Connect – User Guide – March 2023

VCF Connect allows vaccination providers to self-manage vaccination service information.

Flu in kids can be serious – 2023 influenza poster for kids under 5

This poster provides information about the influenza vaccine for parents of young children and can be used in health care and community settings.

Did you know?

93.61%

immunisation coverage for all one year olds

95.76%

Immunisation coverage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 5 year olds

94.20%

immunisation coverage for all 5 year olds

Source: Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) annualised quarterly reports, December 2022.