TranslateGovernment funded vaccines and eligibility
What vaccines are funded by the government?
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule is a series of immunisations given at specific times throughout your life. The immunisations range from birth through to adulthood and there are additional vaccines provided for certain groups, for example in pregnancy and for those with certain medical conditions.
All vaccines listed on the NIP Schedule are free however, your health professional may apply a consultation fee or service charge.
For more detail on which vaccines you should get and when, refer to the Adult and child immunisation schedule
For further details on NIP funded influenza vaccines and eligibility, refer to the Funded influenza immunisation schedule
In addition to the vaccines offered on the NIP, the Tasmanian government currently offers the following free vaccines to protect those at increased risk of disease or severe illness, or those who may transmit the disease.
Strict eligibility criteria apply to these programs:
- Hepatitis B vaccination
- Measles vaccination
- Mpox vaccination
- Japanese encephalitis vaccine (JEV)
- RSV-specific monoclonal antibody (not a vaccine, but provides passive immunisation)
How do I get a record of my vaccinations?
You can get your immunisation history proof of vaccinations on the Services Australia website. You can also do this for your child, or children aged 14 or older can get their own immunisation history statements.
Find out how to get your immunisation history statement (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
Where can I get a government funded vaccine?
General Practitioners (GP)
Most GP’s have access to the free government funded vaccines and can administer these to all age groups.
You may have to pay a consultation fee to your general practitioner for their time.
Councils
Some councils offer free government funded vaccination for all ages. Councils run the school-based immunisation program for adolescents, and some also provide free childhood clinics.
For council immunisation clinic schedules and contact information see Council immunisation clinics schedule
Pharmacies
Many pharmacies are now delivering government funded vaccines to individuals from 10 years of age. Pharmacies can also provide and administer privately funded vaccines, excluding those for travel purposes.
Some pharmacies are also delivering influenza and COVID-19 vaccines to children from 5 years of age.
Pharmacies will not charge a fee when administering NIP or COVID-19 vaccines, however they may charge an administration fee when providing a privately funded vaccine.
Contact your preferred vaccination provider to ask about the specific vaccines they can provide and whether there is an additional cost for their time.
Who is eligible for the NIP funded vaccines?
All vaccines listed in the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule are free.
Eligibility for free vaccines under the NIP is linked to eligibility for Medicare benefits.
The following individuals who are eligible for NIP vaccines can catch up on a range of free vaccines missed in childhood:
- all people under 20 years of age
- people aged 25 years and under who have missed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination
- refugees and humanitarian entrants of any age
- Aboriginal children less than 2 years of age are eligible for meningococcal B vaccines if missed at the recommended schedule points.
Find out more about the NIP Schedule including eligibility (health.gov.au)
Who is eligible for the State funded vaccines?
Free hepatitis B vaccination is available for:
- household contacts of people with Hepatitis B virus
- sexual contacts of people with Hepatitis B virus
- men who have sex with men
- sex workers
- people who have HIV infection
- people who have hepatitis C infection
- people who inject drugs
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- inmates of correctional facilities
- migrants from high endemic Hepatitis B virus regions.
Refer to information for health professionals Hepatitis B vaccine for high risk groups.
See Hepatitis B virus fact sheet for more information.
Free measles vaccination is available for:
- people born during or after 1966 without documented evidence of two measles containing vaccines or serological (blood test) evidence of immunity.
- infants aged 6 to 12 months travelling overseas (needs repeating if given prior to 11 months of age).
Most people born before 1996 are immune to measles because they were infected as children.
Refer to Measles fact sheet for more information on measles and vaccination.
Free mpox vaccination is available for:
- At-risk eligible people
- Post exposure vaccination can be given up to 14 days after exposure to a case of mpox to prevent disease (preferably within 4 days).
Refer to Mpox fact sheet for more information.
Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccination program:
In response to the 2022 south-eastern Australian outbreak, JEV vaccination is available for eligible people. The risk of JEV within Tasmania is assessed as very low, and no cases have yet been detected.
As the risk is low within Tasmania, only people travelling to or residing on mainland Australia, or the Torres Strait and Tiwi Islands who meet certain criteria are eligible for vaccination.
Refer to Japanese Encephalitis virus fact sheet for more information.
For more information
Health professionals and members of the public can contact the Immunisation team regarding eligibility for funded programs, and advice on where to access vaccines on 1800 671 738.
For comprehensive program of RSV vaccination see National RSV Maternal and Infant Protection Program 2025
