Australia childhood vaccination schedule
The vaccines on Australia's National Immunisation Program (NIP) for babies, children and teenagers, by age. Based on the NIP schedule current from May 2026.
Vaccines by age
This is the schedule for all children. Some groups and states get extra vaccines, listed further down.
| Age | Vaccine | Protects against |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B |
| 2 months (from 6 weeks) | 6-in-1 vaccine (DTPa-hepB-IPV-Hib) Pneumococcal Rotavirus (drops by mouth) | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio, Hib Pneumococcal infections Rotavirus |
| 4 months | 6-in-1 vaccine, 2nd dose Pneumococcal, 2nd dose Rotavirus, 2nd dose | As at 2 months |
| 6 months | 6-in-1 vaccine, 3rd dose | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio, Hib |
| Every year from 6 months to under 5 | Flu vaccine | Flu |
| 12 months | MenACWY MMR Pneumococcal, 3rd dose | Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y Measles, mumps, rubella Pneumococcal infections |
| 18 months | Hib booster MMRV (MMR 2nd dose and chickenpox) DTPa booster | Hib Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough |
| 4 years | DTPa-IPV booster | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio |
| Year 7 (12 to 13 years) | HPV, one dose dTpa booster | Cancers and genital warts caused by HPV Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough |
| Year 10 (14 to 16 years) | MenACWY | Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y |
Flu: children under 9 having the flu vaccine for the first time need 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart, then one dose every year. RSV protection for babies isn't on the national schedule; ask your state or territory health service. Rotavirus vaccine is only given to young babies.
Extra vaccines for some children
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
The national schedule adds MenB at 2, 4 and 12 months and an extra pneumococcal dose at 6 months. In Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland, it also adds hepatitis A at 18 months and 4 years.
MenB in Queensland and South Australia
Both states offer MenB vaccines free through their own programs. See Queensland Health and SA Health for who is eligible.
Catch-up vaccines
Catch-up vaccines on the National Immunisation Program are free for everyone under 20.
Moving to Australia with children
- Coming from the UK? See moving from the UK to Australia.
- Get your child's overseas vaccines onto the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). A GP or other vaccination provider can add them. Bring a record with vaccine names and dates.
- Check the rules for your state before enrolling in childcare or kindergarten. Under No Jab No Play, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia require children to be up to date or on an approved catch-up schedule.
- No Jab No Pay applies everywhere: your child must meet the immunisation requirements for Family Tax Benefit Part A supplements and the Child Care Subsidy.
- Common differences: Australia gives hepatitis B at birth, MenACWY at 12 months and again in Year 10, and a free yearly flu vaccine to under-5s.
Moving away from Australia
- Get a copy of your child's vaccination record from the AIR or your GP before you leave.
- Your new country may schedule vaccines differently. For example, the UK gives MenB to babies and a yearly nasal flu vaccine from age 2, and Germany requires proof of measles vaccination for Kita and school.
Questions
Are vaccinations compulsory in Australia?
Not by law, but they are linked to childcare and payments. Under No Jab No Play, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia require children to be up to date, or on an approved catch-up schedule, to enrol in childcare or kindergarten. Under No Jab No Pay, children must meet the immunisation requirements for Family Tax Benefit Part A supplements and the Child Care Subsidy.
Are childhood vaccines free in Australia?
Vaccines on the National Immunisation Program are free. Catch-up vaccines on the program are free for everyone under 20, and the flu vaccine is free every year for children from 6 months to under 5.
What is the AIR?
The Australian Immunisation Register records every vaccine given in Australia. It's what counts for No Jab No Play and No Jab No Pay. A GP or other vaccination provider can add vaccines your child had overseas.
Is MenB part of the Australian schedule?
Not for all children. It's on the national schedule for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies, and Queensland and South Australia offer it free through their own programs.
Keep track with VaxFile
VaxFile shows your child's Australian schedule, reminds you of upcoming doses, and keeps records from every country you've lived in. Free on iOS and Android.
Sources: Australian Government, NIP schedule (May 2026) · Australian Government, catch-up immunisation · NCIRS, No Jab No Play / No Jab No Pay · Australian Government, flu vaccine for children · Queensland Health MenB program · SA Health MenB program
This page summarises the official Australian schedule for information only. It isn't medical advice. Your GP decides which vaccines your child needs.
Last checked against the official sources: 8 October 2026.