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Immunisation requirements can be determined by your lifestyle. Risk factors like smoking, drinking alcohol, overseas travel, sexual activity, playing contact sport, and leisure activities increasing the risk of coming into contact with certain animals may mean additional vaccines are recommended.

Speak to your family doctor or other immunisation provider for information on recommended vaccines.

Refugees and humanitarian entrants

If you are a refugee or humanitarian entrant, you may not be fully immunised in accordance with the Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP) recommendations. Refugees and humanitarian entrants are eligible for some free vaccines under the National Immunisation Program. While the vaccines are free, a consultation fee may be charged.

If you have been immunised overseas but do not have written immunisation documentation, a full catch-up immunisation schedule may be recommended.

Refugees and humanitarian entrants’ 9 years of age and under

Please see My child was vaccinated overseas, what do I do?

Refugees and humanitarian entrants 10 to 19 years of age

All people aged 10 to 19 years should receive any missed routine childhood vaccinations. Most vaccines funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) are free for refugees and humanitarian entrants. 

If you or your child is between 10-19 years of age and have minimal or no records of vaccination history, a catch-up vaccination schedule may need to be developed.

Discuss your immunisation requirements with your family doctor or other immunisation provider (a consultation fee may apply). 

Refugees and humanitarian entrants 20 years and over

Vaccination for adults is just as important as it is for children. Most vaccines funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) are free for refugees and humanitarian entrants. 

If you have minimal or no records of vaccination history, a catch-up vaccination schedule may need to be developed. 

Discuss your immunisation requirements with your family doctor or other immunisation provider (a consultation fee may apply). 

Translation

Department of Home Affairs provides a Free Translating Service, to permanent residents and select temporary or provisional visa holders within the first two years of their eligible visa grant date. Eligible migrants can have up to ten eligible documents translated into English. Applications are made on the Free Translating Service website.

International travel

Vaccines and other preventative health measures may be recommended for your travel destination to reduce the risk of some preventable diseases.

There is no standard immunisation schedule that will suit all travellers as vaccination requirements vary based on the country to which you are travelling, the time of year you are travelling and the duration of your trip. Consult your family doctor or visit a travel clinic six to twelve weeks before your scheduled travel date for advice on vaccination and to ensure you have enough time to be vaccinated.

If you do not have a family doctor, visit the ‘Find a Health Service’ website.

A yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended if you are travelling to or from a yellow fever risk country.

Page last updated on: 30 Mar 2021