School staff
For teachers, support staff and casuals in primary, secondary and special-needs schools
School staff have occupational immunisation recommendations under the Australian Immunisation Handbook but are not covered by the No Jab No Play rule — that applies only to early childhood education and care. School enrolment in Victoria has different vaccination requirements which are handled by school nurses and the secondary-school immunisation program.
If you teach, support or work casually in a Victorian primary or secondary school (state, Catholic or independent), this page covers what's recommended for your protection and what your employer is likely to ask for.
What you need to demonstrate
Listed as immunity to demonstrate, not shots to receive — many adults have evidence of immunity already (from childhood vaccination, prior serology or AIR records) and need only the gaps filled.
Required
Annual influenza vaccination
Recommended for all school staff under the occupational schedule. Whether mandatory depends on your specific school's policy — many do require it, particularly for staff working with vulnerable students.
Strongly recommended
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
Two documented doses or serology. Measles outbreaks in schools can spread rapidly given the close-contact environment.
Varicella (chickenpox)
Two doses or serology — particularly important for staff in primary schools and special-needs settings.
Whooping cough (dTpa)
Single adult dose every 10 years. Strongly recommended if you have close contact with young students or work with babies (e.g., parenting classes, infant siblings on campus).
COVID-19
Strongly recommended under ATAGI advice. Employer policy may apply.
Hepatitis A
Recommended for staff in special-needs schools with personal-care responsibilities.
Legal basis
School-staff vaccination recommendations come from the Australian Immunisation Handbook (occupational chapter), not from No Jab No Play — which applies only to early childhood education and care. Victorian government schools follow Department of Education and Training workforce policy; Catholic and independent schools set their own policy. Worksafe Victoria duty of care under the OHS Act 2004 also applies.
COVID-19 status (Victoria, October 2025)
The Victorian Secretary Direction for COVID-19 vaccination in education settings was revoked in October 2025. Individual schools may continue to require COVID-19 vaccination through their own workforce policy.
What your employer needs to see
For every occupational requirement above, the accepted proof in Victoria is the same single document: your AIR Immunisation History Statement. You download it yourself and provide it to your employer — they do not access the Australian Immunisation Register directly.
- 1
Sign in to myGov
Visit my.gov.au and sign in (or create an account). Link the Medicare service if it isn't already linked.
- 2
Open the Australian Immunisation Register
From the Medicare service menu, open Immunisation history. Or download the Medicare Express Plus app and find the same screen there.
- 3
Download the Immunisation History Statement (PDF)
Click "View immunisation history statement" — a PDF generates with every dose, batch number, date and provider. Send this to your employer.
Ready to bring your record up to date?
Walk in, or book a guaranteed time online via Priceline's booking system.
What we do in one visit, what we refer
We're honest about where the pharmacy scope ends. Some checks (e.g. serology blood tests, post-exposure prophylaxis) need a GP, pathology service or hospital — and we'll tell you that on the day.
In one visit at our clinic
- Annual influenza vaccination — in our walk-in clinic, or via an on-site workplace clinic for larger school workforces.
- MMR catch-up (free for adults 20–59 in VIC), dTpa booster, varicella, hepatitis A, COVID-19 boosters.
- Recording overseas vaccinations on the AIR ($25 service fee) — particularly useful for new arrivals to the workforce.
- For students aged 5+ needing catch-up of missed NIP doses: walk in with the AIR Immunisation History Statement showing gaps.
Referred elsewhere
- School-program adolescent NIP doses (HPV at Year 7, dTpa at Year 7, meningococcal ACWY at Year 10) — these are delivered by the council immunisation team during the school program. We can do catch-ups for students who missed the school day.
- Hepatitis B serology blood test — your GP or pathology collection centre.
FAQs about schools vaccinations
Does No Jab No Play apply to my school?
No — No Jab No Play applies only to early childhood education and care (long day care, kinder, family day care). School enrolment is governed differently. Students at school have their own routes (the Year 7 and Year 10 NIP school programs run by the council).
I'm a casual relief teacher — what do I need?
Whatever the school you're placed at requires. Most schools ask for current flu vaccination at minimum. Some larger employers (like Anzuk or ClassCover) maintain their own minimum requirements.
A student in my class missed their Year 7 HPV dose. What do they do?
They can either wait for the council team to run a catch-up clinic, see their GP, or walk into us with their parent/guardian and the AIR statement. We can administer HPV catch-up under the NIP for free up to age 25.
My MMR record from overseas isn't on the AIR. Can you help?
Yes. Bring the original overseas record (translated if needed). For $25 we verify the doses and submit them to the AIR so your school sees them on your Immunisation History Statement.
Do I really need the dTpa booster as a teacher?
It's recommended every 10 years for all adults and is particularly important if you work with young children, vulnerable students or any cohort where pertussis transmission would be serious.
Sources and further reading
- Australian Immunisation Handbook — Vaccination for people at occupational risk
- Victorian Department of Health — Health-care worker immunisation
- Better Health Channel — Immunisation and the workplace
- Services Australia — Getting your Immunisation History Statement
- NCIRS — National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
General information only — not personal medical advice. Vaccines are described by disease or category in line with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. Your AHPRA-registered immuniser confirms what applies to you at the pre-vaccination screening.
Book your schools appointment
Bring your AIR statement and any past records — we'll fill the gaps in one visit where we can.
Other occupations
All occupationsHospital and healthcare workers
For clinical staff in hospitals, GP clinics, allied health and community health
See requirementsAged-care workers
For residential aged-care, home-care and disability-services staff under the strengthened standards
See requirementsChildcare and early childhood educators
For educators in long day care, family day care, kinder and OSHC — plus the No Jab No Play rule for children
See requirementsDisability and community-support workers
For NDIS support workers, group-home staff, supported-living and community-services workers
See requirementsPathology, laboratory and first responders
For pathology collectors, laboratory scientists, paramedics, fire and rescue, and police
See requirements