Schedule & eligibility

Vaccine schedule for Australia , what’s free, when, and where

A plain-English overview of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and Victorian state-funded vaccines, drawn from the Australian Immunisation Handbook and Victorian Department of Health. Eligibility, ages and brands change, confirm your specific situation with our immuniser at the time of vaccination.

Children (birth to 4 yrs)

Age / cohort	Vaccines (commonly delivered)
Birth	· Hepatitis B Timing is assessed by the birth provider.
2 months, from six weeks	· Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B and Hib · Pneumococcal · Rotavirus Additional meningococcal B applies to eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants.
4 months	· Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B and Hib · Pneumococcal · Rotavirus Age limits and additional risk-based doses apply.
6 months	· Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B and Hib Additional pneumococcal applies to specified groups. Annual influenza is funded from six months to under five, subject to Medicare eligibility.
12 months	· Measles, mumps and rubella · Meningococcal ACWY · Pneumococcal Additional risk-based doses may apply.
18 months	· Measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox · Hib · Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough Prior doses and clinical circumstances are checked.
4 years	· Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio Ask the childhood provider to review the full record.

Children under 5 yrs are best vaccinated by their GP or local council immunisation session. Our pharmacist immunisers can vaccinate from age 5 in line with current Victorian scope of practice.

Adolescents

Age / cohort

Vaccines (commonly delivered)

Year 7 · ~12 yrs

· HPV, usually one dose
· dTpa booster

School program for eligible students. Specified immune conditions require a different HPV course.

Year 10 · ~15 yrs

· Meningococcal ACWY

Year 10 school program.

For missed school doses, ask the school, council or pharmacy about the appropriate provider, age, consent and funding requirements.

Adults

Age / cohort	Vaccines (commonly delivered)
Adult MMR catch-up	· Victorian state-funded MMR Born during or since 1966 without evidence of two valid doses or immunity. Medicare is not required for this state program; clinical suitability applies.
Pregnancy	· Influenza at any stage · Whooping cough preferably 20 to 32 weeks · Maternal RSV from 28 weeks Each pregnancy; individual assessment and NIP Medicare eligibility apply. RSV can still be considered after 36 weeks.
From age 65	· Influenza · Pneumococcal · Shingles · COVID-19 NIP Medicare, history and clinical criteria apply. COVID-19 interval depends on age and risk.
From age 75	· Older-adult RSV · COVID-19 interval review Current NIP and clinical criteria apply; not every person needs every dose listed.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults	· Pneumococcal from 25 · Shingles and COVID-19 funding from 50 · Older-adult RSV from 60 Influenza funding starts from six months. Medicare, prior-dose and program requirements apply.
Specified medical risks	· Additional or earlier recommendations and funding These vary by condition, treatment, age and history. Some adult pneumococcal and shingles groups start from 18; a clinician confirms eligibility.

Other vaccines (travel, occupational, private)

Vaccine	Typical cohort	Funding
Q fever	At-risk workers (abattoirs, farming, wildlife)	Workplace / private
Japanese encephalitis (JE)	Travellers; Victorian risk groups (state-funded eligibility applies)	State or private
Mpox	Eligible cohorts under Victorian state program	State-funded
Hepatitis A / B (adult)	Travellers; healthcare workers	State eligibility, workplace or private; assess individually
Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Cholera, JE, Rabies	Travel medicine	Private

15-minute observation

Stay for at least 15 minutes after vaccination, longer if advised. Serious allergic reactions can occur after leaving. Follow the clinician’s aftercare instructions and call 000 for breathing difficulty, tongue or throat swelling or collapse.

Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

Mandatory AIR reporting applies to specified vaccinations. Ask about your dose, reporting and how to obtain a statement through Services Australia. AIR may not include every earlier or overseas dose; instant access is not guaranteed.

Pharmacist immuniser scope (Vic)

The pharmacy vaccinates from age five only within its applicable vaccine and program authorisation. Age, health, previous doses, funding and availability are assessed individually. Some services need referral.

When to see your GP instead

Children under five need another authorised childhood provider. Complex health, uncertain records or some specific services may need a GP or specialist. Pregnancy services are assessed with the maternity care plan.

Sources & further reading

General information only. This page is not personal medical advice. Always confirm eligibility, contraindications and dose timing with a qualified immuniser on the day.

This is a selected schedule overview, not a complete dosing or catch-up plan. Check the current Victorian schedule and Handbook, especially for medical risks, overseas doses and changing programs.

Check the current official schedule with your clinician.

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