Sarah Bennett
Australia's National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedules a series of vaccinations at specific times in a person's life, from birth to adulthood. The Australian government's ''No Jab, No Pay' policy requires families to vaccinate their children according to the NIP schedule to be eligible for certain family support payments. COVID-19 vaccinations are free for all people in Australia, including those without a Medicare card. However, other vaccinations, such as travel vaccinations and certain immunisations for adults with asthma, may require payment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 vaccine availability | Free for all people in Australia, including those without a Medicare card |
| National Immunisation Program (NIP) | Run by the Australian Government, scheduling vaccinations from birth to adulthood |
| 'No Jab, No Pay' policy | Requires families to vaccinate their children to be eligible for certain family support payments |
| Vaccination costs | Medicare covers some costs, state and territory governments cover costs for some vaccines not covered by Medicare |
| Private health insurance | Some providers offer cover for vaccinations not included in Medicare |
| Travel vaccinations | Available at travel clinics and GPs, may be mixed-billed or require payment |
| Asthma and RSV | RSV vaccination is available for private purchase for people aged 60 and over, whooping cough vaccination is available for adults |
| Booster doses | Recommended for most Australians aged 18 and over, especially those with medical conditions increasing the risk of severe COVID-19 |
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What You'll Learn
The 'No Jab, No Pay' policy
Australia's 'No Jab, No Pay' policy is an initiative that withholds certain state payments from parents of children who are not fully immunised or on a recognised catch-up schedule. The payments that are withheld include the Child Care Benefit, the Child Care Rebate, and a portion of the fortnightly Family Tax Benefit Part A per child. The policy is designed to encourage childhood vaccination and is related to the 'No Jab, No Play' policy, which disallows unvaccinated children from attending preschool and childcare centres.
The 'No Jab, No Play' policy also imposes fines on childcare centres that admit unvaccinated children. This policy grew out of a grassroots campaign in 2013, championed by News Limited and parent activists representing children who had died of preventable diseases. Despite opposition from some far-right politicians and anti-vaccination activists, the 'No Jab, No Pay' policy was legislated in 2015 and came into effect on January 1, 2016. It was later expanded in July 2018.
Public health researchers have had mixed evaluations of the 'No Jab, No Pay' and 'No Jab, No Play' policies. Some have questioned the ethical grounds of removing non-medical exemptions from vaccine requirements, the potential for coercive policies to increase anti-vaccination sentiment, and the inequity of policies based on welfare conditionality. However, studies have shown that these policies have led to a significant increase in childhood vaccination, especially in areas with lower socio-economic status and higher rates of government benefits.
In Australia, the government runs the National Immunisation Program (NIP), which schedules a series of vaccinations at specific times from birth to adulthood. The 'No Jab, No Pay' policy requires families to vaccinate their children in line with the NIP schedule to be eligible for certain family support payments. Anyone in Australia can get a COVID-19 vaccine for free, and it is safe to receive this vaccine alongside other routine vaccinations.
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COVID-19 vaccines are free
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and efficient and can be taken alongside the flu vaccine or other routine vaccinations, including those for children over five years old. The vaccine is recommended for children over five to reduce their risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19.
The Australian Government encourages everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to maintain protection against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death. The vaccine is especially important for those aged 65 and older and those at higher risk of severe COVID-19.
You can book your free COVID-19 vaccination appointment at select Amcal pharmacies, or you can use the Australian Government's COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder to locate a vaccine provider near you.
It is recommended that you discuss your COVID-19 vaccine options with your healthcare provider to determine how many primary course doses you need and how frequently you should receive your regular dose.
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Vaccinations for asthma
In Australia, vaccinations are available for people with asthma to protect them from serious illnesses. The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) recommends that people with asthma receive the RSV vaccination if they are aged 60 and over, and are at risk of severe disease. Additionally, adults with asthma can opt for a whooping cough vaccination, which often comes with a tetanus booster. However, this vaccination usually requires payment.
The Australian government's ''No Jab, No Pay' policy mandates that families must vaccinate their children according to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule to remain eligible for certain family support payments. This policy also applies to COVID-19 vaccinations, which are free for everyone aged five and above in Australia.
It is important to note that certain vaccines may not be suitable for individuals with asthma. For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that the FluMist nasal spray flu vaccine may not be appropriate for children with asthma or a history of wheezing. As such, individuals with asthma should consult their doctors to determine their eligibility for specific vaccinations and explore alternative options if needed.
In addition to human vaccinations, Australia has been working closely with New Zealand to prepare for the arrival of the HPAI avian influenza strain. New Zealand has conducted a successful \$66,000 vaccine trial, sharing valuable data with Australia to help protect their wildlife and ecosystems from this deadly virus.
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Travel vaccinations
Vaccinations are important to protect your health when travelling overseas. Travellers can bring diseases into Australia and cause outbreaks, so it is important to plan ahead for any vaccinations you may need. The recommended vaccines for travelling depend on a number of factors, including your destination, the activities you will be doing, how long you are going for, and your medical history.
Some countries require proof of immunisation for certain infectious diseases before you can legally enter, such as a yellow fever vaccination certificate. It is important to research the requirements of your destination and consult your doctor or a travel health clinic 6 to 12 weeks before you leave Australia. Your doctor can advise you on any vaccinations you may need and the approximate cost. The cost of vaccinations in Australia depends on the type and formula, and some travel vaccines may not be covered by the National Immunisation Program (NIP), in which case you will need to pay for them yourself. General travel vaccinations can vary in price from $35.00 to $160.00 each.
Some common vaccine-preventable diseases found in other areas of the world include cholera, which is found in places with poor water and waste facilities, and Japanese encephalitis, which is spread by mosquitoes in Asia and the Torres Strait region of Australia. The Hepatitis A vaccination is also recommended for travellers over 1 year of age going to areas where Hepatitis A is common. Rabies is common in Central and South America, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia, and is spread by infected animals.
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Mandatory vaccinations for healthcare workers
In Australia, the government runs the National Immunisation Program (NIP), which schedules a series of vaccinations at specific times in a person's life from birth to adulthood. COVID-19 vaccinations are free for everyone in Australia, regardless of Medicare coverage.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has recommended mandatory vaccinations for all healthcare workers as a condition of work. This includes public health settings such as hospitals, clinics, ambulance services, and correctional health facilities, as well as private health facilities like private hospitals and specialist outpatient services. The AHPPC has noted that mandating vaccination for healthcare workers could have unintended consequences on workforce availability. However, a highly vaccinated workforce will ensure minimal transmission in healthcare settings and reduce the need for quarantine.
In Western Australia, COVID-19 vaccination has been made mandatory for healthcare workers to access healthcare facilities. This applies to all healthcare and health support workers, who are allowed reasonable work time to receive their vaccination. Exemptions are provided for certain categories of employees, such as those with a medical exemption, which must be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register.
In Victoria, the Health Services Amendment (Mandatory Vaccination of Healthcare Workers) Act 2020 directs health services to require employees to be vaccinated against or prove immunity to specified diseases.
Overall, mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers in Australia is an important mechanism to protect the public, staff, and patients in healthcare settings, especially with the increased risk of community transmission of variants like Delta.
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Frequently asked questions
Everyone can get a COVID-19 vaccine for free in Australia. The state and territory governments cover the cost of some vaccines not covered by Medicare.
Travel vaccinations are available at travel clinics in Australia, but they are not free.
RSV and whooping cough vaccinations for people with asthma are available via private purchase.
Under the No Jab, No Pay policy, families must vaccinate their children according to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule to be eligible for certain family support payments.
