Immunisation in Australia

All children are required to be fully immunised in Australia for most preventable childhood diseases. There are immunisation requirements for enrolling your child in schools and also for claiming Child Care Benefit. The schedule differs from the UK so you do need to be aware and up to date.

Australia has an Immunisation Register which records all the immunisations that your child has received both in Australia and overseas. See your Doctor with the record of all your childs immunisations and they will inform the Register.   

There is a current immunisation schedule giving details of what immunisations you child should have and at what age. For up to date information see http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/providers/programs_services/acir/current_immunisation_schedule.htm

Complete information on immunisations can be found at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/yourhealth/our_services/aacir.htm

Comments

[Kristina]

I am moving to Perth in Jan '09 with my 3 year old son to work as an au pair for a 6 year old child. My son has an official US document of 'religious exemption from immunizations' which is a part of his medical file here and in addition to a physician signed form of 'good health' he is qualified to attend preschool in the United States.

Do you know how this may differ in Australia?
Thank you!
-Kristina

[Claire Sutton]

Hi Kristina

I know that there is a requirement in Australian public schools for immunizations to be up to date but I don't know whether you would be able to get around this with the documents that you have mentioned. I think you would be best to verbally contact the Department of Education on 08 9264 4111 to check the particulars.

Hope this helps.

Regards, Claire