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Immunisation for babies and children
You can protect your children from serious and preventable diseases through immunisation.
For fact sheets on the diseases vaccines protect against, visit the Better Health Channel.
Approved exemptions from immunisation
An Family Tax Benefit (FBT) child has an approved exemption from the FTB Part A and CCD immunisation requirements where:
- the child has medical contraindication, or
- the child has natural immunity, or
- the child is a part of an approved vaccine study, or
- the vaccine is temporarily unavailable, or
- the child is vaccinated overseas, or
- the Secretary has determined that the child meets the immunisation requirements
Find out more information on the Australian Government's Family Assistance Guide website.
No jab, no play
Under the new 'No Jab, No Play' legislation, before enrolling a child, early childhood services will have to first obtain evidence that the child is:
- full immunised for their age OR
- on a vaccination catch-up program OR
- unable to be fully immunised for medical reasons.
'Conscientious objection' is not an exemption under the 'No Jab No Play' legislation.
Protect your baby by protecting yourself
A free whooping cough vaccine is now available for parents and carers and is offered at all public immunisation sessions. To check if you are eligible please read the Department of Health's Protect Your Baby brochure (PDF - 69KB).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
A number of immunisation programs are available for people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.
These programs provide protection against some of the most harmful infectious diseases that cause severe illness and deaths in our communities.
Further information can be found at Immunise Australia Program.
Before primary school
Vaccinations for the preschool immunisation program begin from 6 weeks of age and finish at 4 years. You can have your child immunised at any of our public immunisation sessions.
Immunisation record for primary school enrolment
You must provide a current record of your child's immunisations when enrolling your child in a Victorian primary school, called an immunisation status certificate.
You will automatically receive the certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) after your child has completed the 4-year-old vaccinations.
The AIR is now a whole of life register. Any person with a Medicare Card will have their vaccinations recorded. You can call AIR on 1800 653 809 to check that your child’s vaccination details have been received.
If your child has never been vaccinated or was vaccinated overseas, contact us and we can help you get a certificate. Alternatively, you can contact your doctor.
Immunisation and Family Assistance payments
From 1 January 2016, parents who don't immunise their children (vaccine objectors) will not be eligible to receive Child Care Benefit, Child Care Rebate or the Family Tax Benefit Part A end of year supplement. This is for all people up to the age of 19 years.