Skip to main content
All vaccinationsReturning home

Vaccinations for Australians returning home

Coming back after years abroad , alone, with a partner, with children. Reconcile your overseas vaccinations onto the AIR, catch up on anything missed while you were away, and register dependants properly.

Read this page in your language

Pick a language to open this page translated by Google. Google translations may contain errors. Confirm health advice with a clinician. Ask us about interpreter support through TIS National 131 450; eligibility and costs may vary.

Common situations

Which of these is you?

Most returning families fall into one of these patterns. Pick the closest match and the steps are roughly the same.

Returning solo after years away

Bring records of vaccination received overseas and any previous AIR statement. A provider can help locate the appropriate record, assess acceptable doses and identify any current recommendations. Confirm record-review fees before work.

Returning with a partner on a visa

A partner new to Australia may need Services Australia advice about Medicare eligibility or an IHI. Available clinical services and funded eligibility are assessed separately.

Returning with children

Bring each child’s records. A recognised provider assesses overseas doses and AIR reporting; the age authorisation for giving a new vaccination is a separate check. Ask the school or early-childhood service what evidence it requires.

Returning after a short stint abroad

The length of time abroad does not by itself determine what is needed. Review new doses, current age and risk recommendations and any changes to health or medicines.

What changed

What likely changed while you were away

  • Maternal RSV is recommended from 28 weeks in each pregnancy, including assessment after 36 weeks. Funding and suitability are checked. More on pregnancy.
  • Shingles vaccine funding includes adults from 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults from 50 and adults from 18 with specified immune conditions or treatments.
  • HPV usually requires one dose for immunocompetent people aged 9 to 25. Funding starts at 12 and ends at 25; specified immune conditions need a different course.
  • Older-adult RSV NIP funding includes adults from 75 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults from 60. Other clinical consideration groups have separate funding checks.
  • Free Victorian MMR catch-up is based on birth year, valid dose or immunity evidence and clinical suitability. The current program has no stated expiry on this page. More on MMR catch-up.
  • COVID-19 vaccines moved to new NIP funding criteria in October 2026. Clinical recommendations and funded eligibility are separate; the former Victorian healthcare-worker directions were revoked in October 2024.

Reconcile overseas vaccinations onto your AIR record

A recognised provider assesses overseas records and which doses can be added to AIR. Confirm the record-review fee before work begins. A statement may not include every earlier dose, and the receiving organisation decides which evidence it requires.

How AIR upload works
Common questions

FAQs from returning Australians

Can I ask about care without Medicare?

Yes. The provider checks available services, clinical suitability and funding. Eligible Victorian adult MMR services have no patient charge without a Medicare requirement. NIP generally requires Medicare eligibility. Private vaccination has a $20 service fee per dose, with any medicine cost confirmed privately.

What overseas records should I bring?

Bring original certificates, official digital records and any other evidence of doses. A recognised provider assesses dates, ages, intervals and which entries can be recorded. A translation may be needed; missing records do not automatically mean doses must be repeated.

How much does record review cost?

The fee for reviewing and recording overseas vaccinations must be confirmed with the pharmacy before work begins. No fixed fee, same-day upload or instant statement is promised.

What if I do not have an IHI?

Services Australia explains how to obtain an Individual Healthcare Identifier if you are not eligible for Medicare. Apply through the current official pathway. The provider checks which identifier and record arrangements apply to you.

Can the pharmacy vaccinate my child?

The service starts from age five within the applicable authorisation and program scope. Younger children need an appropriate GP, council or other authorised provider. Record-review and vaccination age rules are separate.

Will an AIR statement meet an enrolment or employment requirement?

Ask the receiving organisation which evidence it needs. No Jab No Play applies to specified early-childhood services and uses AIR evidence, with support provisions. It does not apply to primary or secondary school enrolment. An AIR statement is not proof of immunity to every disease.

What if I need an interpreter?

Tell the pharmacy your preferred language before booking. Staff language availability, interpreter eligibility and costs need to be confirmed. Automatic translations can contain errors and are not a substitute for a clinical conversation.

Sources and further reading

General information only, not personal medical advice. Your clinician checks your records, suitability, current guidance and funding before vaccination.

Welcome home

Contact us before attending. Bring your overseas records for an individual assessment.