A Newcomer’s Guide to Childhood Vaccinations in Australia

Moving to Australia with children?

Here’s what you need to know about Australian vaccination schedules, overseas records, GP appointments, childcare enrolment and school requirements.

Do My Children Need Vaccinations When We Arrive?

Not necessarily! It depends on their existing vaccination history.

If your children have already received vaccinations overseas, they generally won’t need to repeat doses that are recognised as valid under Australia’s immunisation guidelines.

However, Australia’s childhood vaccination schedule may differ from the schedule in your home country.

This means your child may:

• Already be fully up to date.

• Have received equivalent vaccines under different names.

• Need additional vaccinations recommended in Australia.

• Require a catch-up vaccination schedule.

GOOD TO KNOW: Vaccinations received overseas can be recognised and recorded in Australia.

RSA TIP: Bring a complete copy of each child’s vaccination history rather than assuming their existing records will automatically be recognised.

How Does Australia’s Childhood Vaccination Schedule Work?

Australia has a National Immunisation Program (NIP), which provides routine vaccinations at different ages.

The main childhood vaccination milestones are:

Age	Routine vaccination milestone
Birth	Hepatitis B
6 weeks–2 months	First infant vaccination series
4 months	Second infant vaccination series
6 months	Further routine infant vaccinations
12 months	Including MMR and meningococcal ACWY
18 months	Including MMRV and a whooping cough booster
4 years	Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio booster

Additional vaccinations may be recommended based on medical circumstances, and annual influenza vaccination is recommended from six months of age.

GOOD TO KNOW: Some states and territories offer additional publicly funded vaccinations. The schedule can also change, so refer to the current government guidelines.

RSA TIP: Your child’s age and previous vaccinations will determine which doses, if any, they need.

What Is the Australian Immunisation Register?

The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is Australia’s national system for recording vaccinations.

It records vaccinations administered in Australia and eligible overseas vaccination histories entered by recognised providers.

Your child’s AIR record can be used to produce an Immunisation History Statement.

This document is important because it may be requested for:

• Childcare enrolment.

• Preschool enrolment.

• Primary school enrolment.

• Certain government family assistance payments.

GOOD TO KNOW: Having an overseas vaccination booklet is not necessarily the same as having an Australian Immunisation History Statement.

RSA TIP: Arrange for your children’s overseas records to be added to the AIR as part of your settling-in process.

How Do I Transfer My Children’s Overseas Vaccination Records?

Fortunately, the process is relatively straightforward!

Once you’re in Australia:

• Book an appointment with a GP (General Practitioner) or another recognised vaccination provider.

• Bring your children’s complete overseas vaccination records.

• Provide English translations where necessary.

• Ask the provider to compare their vaccination history with the Australian schedule.

• The provider can record recognised overseas vaccinations in the AIR.

• Arrange any recommended catch-up vaccinations.

• Obtain an updated Australian Immunisation History Statement.

GOOD TO KNOW: Overseas vaccination records need to be assessed and entered by a recognised Australian vaccination provider. You cannot simply upload them yourself.

RSA TIP: If your children will be attending childcare shortly after arrival, prioritise this appointment.

What If My Children’s Records Aren’t in English?

If your children received their vaccinations overseas, their records may be in another language.

You may need English translations so an Australian vaccination provider can accurately identify the vaccines and dates.

Before travelling, consider gathering:

• Official childhood vaccination booklets.

• Records from your GP or paediatrician.

• Vaccination certificates.

• Dates of each administered dose.

• The names of vaccinations received.

GOOD TO KNOW: Some eligible migrants may be able to use the Australian Government’s Free Translating Service.

RSA TIP: If possible, arrange translations before leaving your home country. It can save time when organising childcare, school enrolments and medical appointments.

What If My Child Has Missed Some Vaccinations?

Don’t panic! Australia has catch-up vaccination programs.

If your child has missed recommended vaccinations, a doctor or vaccination provider can assess their existing records and prepare an appropriate catch-up schedule.

The schedule will depend on:

• Your child’s age.

• Which vaccinations they’ve already received.

• How many doses are required.

• The intervals between doses.

• Any relevant medical considerations.

• Some catch-up vaccinations may be available free of charge to eligible children.

GOOD TO KNOW: Your child doesn’t necessarily need to restart an entire vaccination course simply because they’ve missed particular doses.

RSA TIP: Let your GP know if you’re planning to enrol your child in childcare or preschool, as timing and documentation can affect enrolment.

Are Vaccinations Mandatory for Childcare in Australia?

This is particularly important for parents relocating with young children.

Vaccination requirements for childcare differ between Australian states and territories.

For example, in NSW, children generally need approved Australian immunisation documentation showing that they:

• Are up to date with their age-appropriate vaccinations.

• Are following a recognised catch-up schedule.

• Have an accepted medical reason for not receiving particular vaccinations.

This applies to childcare services including long day care, family day care and preschool.

IMPORTANT: In NSW, overseas vaccination records alone aren’t accepted as the required childcare enrolment documentation. Your child’s records must first be assessed and entered into the Australian Immunisation Register.

RSA TIP: Research vaccination documentation requirements when applying for childcare places — not just when your child’s start date approaches.

What About Primary School Enrolment?

Primary school requirements are not necessarily the same as childcare requirements.

In NSW, parents are asked to provide an Australian Immunisation History Statement when enrolling their child in primary or secondary school.

However, unlike childcare, children who are not fully vaccinated can still be enrolled in NSW public schools.

There is an important consideration:

If an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease occurs, children who aren’t immunised may be asked to remain at home temporarily.

GOOD TO KNOW: School enrolment and vaccination requirements differ between states and territories.

RSA TIP: Contact your chosen school before arriving to confirm exactly what documentation they’ll require.

What If My Child Is Four Years Old?

Four years is an important vaccination milestone in Australia.

Australia’s routine vaccination schedule includes a booster at four years of age protecting against:

• Diphtheria.

• Tetanus.

• Pertussis (whooping cough).

• Poliomyelitis (polio).

These vaccines are usually administered as a combined injection.

If your child has already received equivalent vaccinations overseas, an Australian vaccination provider can review the dates and doses to determine whether anything further is needed.

GOOD TO KNOW: A child who is four years old may have different vaccination requirements from a sibling who is six or seven.

RSA TIP: Have each child’s vaccination history reviewed individually rather than assuming all your children will need the same appointments.

Are Childhood Vaccinations Free in Australia?

Many routine childhood vaccinations are free for eligible families.

The National Immunisation Program provides publicly funded vaccinations to children who are enrolled in Medicare or eligible to enrol.

However, eligibility matters.

For example:

• Australian citizens and many permanent residents may be eligible for Medicare.

• Some temporary visa holders may also qualify, depending on their circumstances.

• Other temporary visa holders may need to pay for vaccinations or medical consultations.

• Some states offer additional vaccination programs.

Even where a vaccine is free, a GP consultation fee may apply.

GOOD TO KNOW: Having private health insurance doesn’t automatically mean every vaccination or GP appointment will be covered.

RSA TIP: Check your family’s Medicare eligibility and any out-of-pocket costs before booking an appointment.

Where Can My Children Receive Vaccinations?

There are several places where children can receive vaccinations in Australia.

Depending on the area and vaccination required, these may include:

• General Practitioners (GPs).

• Local council vaccination clinics.

• Community health clinics.

• Other authorised vaccination providers.

For children relocating from overseas, a GP appointment is often a useful starting point because the doctor can review their entire vaccination history and discuss any other healthcare needs.

RSA TIP: If you have several children, ask the clinic whether their immunisation histories can all be reviewed during the same visit.

Your Pre-Arrival Vaccination Checklist

Moving to Australia with children? Save this checklist!

□ Obtain complete vaccination records for each child.

□ Check whether records need translating into English.

□ Research the Australian childhood immunisation schedule.

□ Confirm your family’s Medicare eligibility.

□ Check childcare or school enrolment requirements.

□ Arrange an appointment with an Australian vaccination provider.

□ Have overseas vaccinations entered into the AIR.

□ Arrange any recommended catch-up vaccinations.

□ Request your child’s Australian Immunisation History Statement.

□ Provide the appropriate documents to your child’s childcare centre or school.

RSA TIP: Organise your children’s healthcare documentation alongside their school records, birth certificates and other important relocation paperwork.

Moving to Australia With Children?

Relocating internationally with children means there’s a lot more to organise than flights and packing!

From finding the right family-friendly suburb to understanding school catchment areas, childcare options and the Australian rental market, getting established in a new country can feel overwhelming.

At Relocation Services Australia, we help make that transition easier.

Our team can assist with:

• Recommending family-friendly suburbs that suit your lifestyle.

• Searching for suitable rental properties.

• Attending inspections on your behalf.

• Preparing and submitting rental applications.

• Helping you secure a rental before arriving in Australia.

• Providing ongoing relocation guidance and support.

That means you could avoid weeks of expensive family-sized temporary accommodation and focus on helping your children settle into their new home.

Planning your family’s move? Get in touch now to see how we can make the process seamless and stress-free.