National Immunisation Program Vaccination

Australia funds a long list of important vaccines for free through the National Immunisation Program, and increasingly you can get the eligible ones at a pharmacy rather than only at a GP. Knowing what is funded for you, and that a pharmacist can often provide it, makes staying protected far easier.

What is the National Immunisation Program?

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) is the Australian Government schedule of free vaccines for eligible people across life: infants and children, adolescents, pregnant women, older adults, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people with certain medical conditions. The vaccine itself is free when you are eligible, although a pharmacy may charge an administration or consultation fee for giving it. The NIP is how Australia keeps protection high against serious diseases like measles, whooping cough, pneumococcal disease, and many others.

NIP vaccines at the pharmacy

Trained pharmacist immunisers can administer a growing range of NIP-funded vaccines for eligible people, subject to state and territory rules and minimum-age requirements. Commonly this includes influenza and COVID-19 for funded groups, whooping cough (dTpa) including in pregnancy, shingles and pneumococcal for eligible older adults, and others. Childhood eligibility through pharmacies has been expanding, but the minimum age still varies by jurisdiction and vaccine, so check locally. Some NIP vaccines, particularly the infant schedule, are still delivered mainly through GPs and immunisation clinics.

How to check what is funded for you

Eligibility depends on your age, pregnancy, medical conditions, and background. The simplest approach is to check the current NIP schedule and ask the pharmacist or your GP what you are eligible for. Bring your Medicare card and any previous immunisation records; the pharmacist can also look up your immunisation history on the Australian Immunisation Register to see what you have had and what is due.

How it works at the pharmacy

The pharmacist screens you, confirms NIP eligibility for the vaccine, administers it in a private area, asks you to wait around 15 minutes afterwards, and records it on the Australian Immunisation Register so it shows in your Medicare immunisation history. If you are not eligible for a free dose but still want the vaccine, they will explain the private cost. If a vaccine is better given by a GP for your situation, they will refer you.

Who should consider it?

Anyone who wants to stay up to date with recommended vaccines, and especially people in NIP-funded groups: pregnant women, older adults, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with chronic medical conditions, and families keeping children’s vaccinations on track.

How it’s regulated in Australia

The NIP is an Australian Government program; what it funds and for whom is set nationally, while the rules on which NIP vaccines a pharmacist can administer (and from what age) are set by each state and territory. Pharmacist immunisers complete approved training and are registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia, and doses are recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register.

Official sources

• National Immunisation Program schedule
• Australian Immunisation Handbook
• Australian Immunisation Register

Check what is free for you, then get it close to home. Use the button below to find a pharmacy offering National Immunisation Program vaccines near you.