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 – 4 yrs)
| Age / cohort | Vaccines (commonly delivered) |
|---|---|
Birth |
|
2 months (from 6 weeks) |
|
4 months |
|
6 months |
|
12 months |
|
18 months |
|
4 years |
|
Adolescents
| Age / cohort | Vaccines (commonly delivered) |
|---|---|
Year 7 · ~12 yrs |
Delivered at school under the Victorian Secondary School Immunisation Program. |
Year 10 · ~15 yrs |
Year 10 school program. |
Adults
| Age / cohort | Vaccines (commonly delivered) |
|---|---|
20–59 yrs · MMR catch-up |
Free for anyone aged 20–59 without two documented doses, regardless of Medicare status. Funded by the Victorian Department of Health until 30 June 2026. |
Pregnancy |
Recommended every pregnancy regardless of past doses. |
50+ yrs |
|
65+ yrs |
|
70+ yrs |
|
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander |
Eligibility for several NIP-funded vaccines starts at younger ages. Confirm with your immuniser. |
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 | Private (sometimes workplace) |
| Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Cholera, JE, Rabies | Travel medicine | Private |
15-minute observation
The Australian Immunisation Handbook requires patients remain under observation for at least 15 minutes after vaccination. Severe reactions, if they occur, almost always present within that window. We’ll provide a comfortable place to wait, and ask you not to drive during that time.
Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
We report every vaccination to AIR within 24 hours (mandatory since 1 July 2021). You can view your full record any time via myGov or the Medicare Express Plus app.
Pharmacist immuniser scope (Vic)
Under current Victorian regulations our pharmacist immunisers can deliver NIP and most private vaccines to anyone aged 5 and over. Some vaccines (dTpa, MMR, MenACWY) have age-16+ restrictions; we’ll confirm on the day.
When to see your GP instead
Children under 5, complex catch-up schedules, pregnancy-specific consults, and significant medical histories are usually best handled by your GP or local council immunisation session. We’ll happily refer.
Sources & further reading
- National Immunisation Program schedule
- Australian Immunisation Handbook
- Victoria immunisation schedule & eligibility
- Vic adult NIP & state-funded vaccines
- Better Health Channel (Vic)
General information only. This page is not personal medical advice. Always confirm eligibility, contraindications and dose timing with a qualified immuniser on the day.
TGA advertising compliance. All vaccines for human use in Australia are Schedule 4 prescription-only medicines. In accordance with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code, we describe vaccines by disease, type or category, not by brand name. Your immuniser will discuss the specific vaccine, registered indications and any alternatives during the pre-vaccination consultation.
Last reviewed: 14 May 2026.
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