*Prices are based on a single person living in Sydney earning less than $105,000 per year.
The government's National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule lists the immunisations given at specific times in life. Routine vaccinations are typically available for free from providers that bulk bill. The eligibility for free vaccines is linked to eligibility for Medicare benefits.
Here are the key vaccines listed under the NIP:
| Routine vaccine | When is it administered under the NIP Schedule? |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Free under the NIP only for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in QLD, NT, WA or SA - 2 doses, at 18 months and 4 years of age |
| Diphtheria | Can be given from 6 weeks of age |
| Tetanus | Can be given from 6 weeks of age |
| Whooping Cough | Can be given from 6 weeks of age |
| Hepatitis B | Typically first offered in the hospital post-birth; then at 6 weeks; 4 and 6 months |
| Polio | Can be given from 6 weeks of age |
| Haemophilus Influenzae Type B | Can be given from 6 weeks of age |
| Rotavirus | Can be given from 6 weeks of age |
| Pneumococcal | Can be given from 6 weeks of age |
| Varicella (chickenpox) | Given to children at 18 months |
| Meningococcal meningitis | Offered at 12 months and again in school programs at age of 14-16 |
| Measles, Mumps and Rubella | Routinely offered at 12 months |
| Human Papillomavirus (HPV) | Offered via school programs at age of 12-13 |
| Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | Free for adults aged 75 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 60 and over, and pregnant women at 28-36 weeks (maternal dose) |
| Shingles | Free for people aged 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over, and people aged 18 and over at increased risk due to an underlying condition or immunosuppressive treatment (2 doses of Shingrix) |
| Annual Influenza | Offered free-of-charge to the following:
|
Everyone can get their COVID-19 vaccines for free in Australia. You don't need a Medicare card and it doesn't matter whether or not you're eligible for Medicare.
You can book an appointment via the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker. You can get your free vaccinations at:
If you don't hold a valid Medicare card, you'll want to get proof that you've had your COVID-19 vaccination. Simply ask your vaccination provider to print a copy of your Immunisation History Statement.
Here are some common costs of travel vaccinations:
| Travel vaccine | Cost* | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Cholera | $50-$70 | Sachet |
| Hepatitis A | $60-$90 | Dose |
| Hepatitis B | $20-$35 | Dose |
| Hepatitis A + B | $75-$100 | Combined dose |
| Japanese encephalitis | $275-$325 | Combined dose |
| Meningococcal meningitis | $60-$70 | Dose |
| Rabies | $110-$130 | Dose |
| Typhoid | $50-$70 | Dose |
| Typhoid/Hepatitis A | $125-$150 | Combined dose |
| Yellow fever | $90-$130 | Dose |
*Use these figures as a general guide. Prices can vary significantly.
Vaccine requirements can change at any time – check Smart Traveller and Travel Doctor for the latest information. Here are some typical vaccinations in 4 regions:
| Area | Recommended travel vaccines |
|---|---|
| Southeast Asia |
|
| South America |
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| Africa |
|
| Pacific Islands |
|
"Sometimes you can be eligible for free vaccinations based on your situation or recent changes to the law. When I was pregnant in 2023 I was able to get the flu shot for free, along with elderly people and other at-risk groups. In 2024, all Queenslanders aged 6 months and over could get the flu vax for free (until September). It's always worth asking!"
Any government-approved vaccines that aren't included on the pharmaceutical benefits list (PBS) can be claimed for through some Extras cover plans. The medicine will need to cost more than $25.00. Otherwise, you may need to fund the vaccine privately and you should talk to your GP about this.
Below are policies from Finder partners with cover for Non-PBS Pharmaceuticals. All prices are based on a single individual with less than $105,000 income and living in Sydney.
Each month we analyse over 10,000 extras insurance products and rate each one on price and features. What we end up with is a nice round number out of 10 that helps you compare extras cover a bit faster.
We want to compare apples to apples, not apples to apple pie. It doesn't make sense to compare a top extras policy with coverage for hearing aids and braces against a policy designed only for dental. So we've separated all the extras policies on the market into pools and categories. Once in their pools and categories, each product gets a price score and a features score, which are then combined to give the Final Score.
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