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Parents and children

Details are provided here about childhood and adolescent immunisation programs and eligibility for government benefits. Some Government benefits are available for children who meet the immunisation requirements, that is, they are up to date with immunisation or have an exemption (benefits can be received without a child being fully immunised).

For more information about childhood immunisation, please also see Immunisation: myths and realities, and Understanding Childhood Immunisation.

The Medicare Australia website has information for parents and guardians about the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register.

Current childhood and adolescent immunisation programs

The Australian Government currently funds the following specific programs:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program;
• Meningococcal C program;
• Chickenpox (varicella) program;
• Pneumococcal program; and
• Hepatitis A program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the NT, WA, SA and QLD.

Other free childhood immunisations

These vaccines, which are routinely recommended for your child, are also funded by the Australian Government and provided free of charge:

• Hepatitis B;
• Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis);
• Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b);
• Polio;
• Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles); and
• Rotavirus

The following vaccines are also provided free of charge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children:

• Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
• Pneumococcal; and
• Hepatitis A.

Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA)

The Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA) (Family Assistance Office) is a payment for children aged 18-24 months who are fully immunised or have an approved exemption from immunisation.

Child Care Benefit

The Child Care Benefit (Centrelink) helps you with the cost of child care for long day care, family day care, occasional care, outside school hours care, vacation care and registered care. The benefit applies to children who are fully immunised or have an approved exemption from immunisation.

What are the exemptions?

To receive benefits without your child being fully immunised your healthcare provider needs to certify that:

• your child has a medical reason not to have a particular vaccination; or
• your child has had a disease and has a natural immunity; or
• a particular vaccine is unavailable.

You can also make a formal conscientious objection if you have a personal, philosophical, religious or medical belief that your child should not be immunised. You will need to complete the Immunisation exemption: conscientious objection form (Medicare Australia) and ask your healthcare provider to sign it.

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Page last modified: 29 June, 2007