Being an immunisation hero is easier and more affordable than you might think. Most vaccines are free through national or state programs, and even those that aren’t are widely available at low cost. This guide explains which vaccines are free, who can access them, and where to find vaccination services to keep people in South Western Sydney healthy.
Key points
- Most vaccines are free through the National Immunisation Program.
- Babies, children, teenagers and older adults can all access free vaccines at different life stages.
- Pregnant people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those with certain health conditions are also eligible for free vaccines.
- School-based and community vaccination clinics make it easier to stay up-to-date.
- You can check your vaccination history using the MyGov app or website, or ask your GP or practice nurse.
- Some travel and private vaccines may have a cost, but your doctor or nurse can tell you what applies to you.
Free vaccines for babies and children
Children in Australia receive a series of free vaccines from birth through to age five under the . These protect against serious diseases such as hepatitis B, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, rotavirus, pneumococcal and meningococcal infections.
See below for where to get vaccinated in South Western Sydney.
All vaccinations are recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register, so you can check your child’s record anytime.
Learn more on the NSW Health website - Childhood vaccination
Free vaccines for teenagers
Teenagers receive free vaccines through the NSW School Vaccination Program, usually delivered by qualified immunisation nurses at school. These include vaccines for:
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough booster
- Meningococcal
Check your school newsletter or ask the school nurse for details.
Find out more by visiting the NSW School Vaccination Program.
Free vaccines for adults
Adults may be eligible for free vaccines depending on age or health circumstances.
- Pregnant people – free flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and whooping cough vaccines (Go to NSW Health for details)
- Aged 65 and over – free flu and pneumococcal vaccines, and a shingles vaccine for those aged 70
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – free flu, pneumococcal, shingles and hepatitis B vaccines depending on age and health
- People with certain medical conditions – may qualify for free vaccines to prevent serious illness
- Catch-up vaccines - People who missed their recommended routine vaccinations in childhood can still receive them free up until they are 20 years old – or 26 years of age for those who missed their human papillomavirus vaccine at ages 12 to 13.
- Refugees and other humanitarian entrants - all National Immunisation Program vaccines not already received in childhood.
Ask your GP or practice nurse to check what you’re eligible for using the Australian Immunisation Register.
Free vaccines for adults by disease
The below table shows which vaccine-preventable diseases are conditionally provided to adults at no cost by a person’s age or risk. See below for where to get vaccinated in South Western Sydney.
- Individuals born during or after 1966 who have not had two doses of a measles containing vaccine, or with an uncertain measles vaccination history
- For vaccination of rubella seronegative postnatal women.
- Infants 6 months to <12 months travelling to countries where measles is endemic, or where measles outbreaks are occurring.
|
Disease |
Age or condition |
| Pneumococcal |
|
| Shingles |
|
| Flu |
|
| COVID-19 |
Following a primary course: 18-64 years with severe immunocompromise, or
|
| Hepatitis B |
|
| Measles, mumps and rubella |
|
| Mpox |
|
Where to get vaccinated
Vaccines are available at several places across South Western Sydney. The South Western Sydney Local Health District’s Public Health Unit provides free immunisation clinics at local hospitals and community centres throughout the year.
For current information, visit the South Western Sydney Local Health District Immunisation Unit.
School-based programs deliver free vaccines to eligible students, so keep an eye on your school newsletter or visit the NSW Health School Vaccination Program page for details.
You can also get vaccinated at your GP practice or local pharmacy, though a small cost may apply for some vaccines or for the consultation.
From time to time, local councils also operate or promote community immunisation clinics. These are not always ongoing, so it’s worth checking your council’s website or community newsletter for announcements.
Vaccines you may need to pay for
Some vaccines are not covered by the National Immunisation Program and may have an out-of-pocket cost. These include:
- Travel vaccines, such as typhoid, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis
- Certain shingles vaccines for people under 70
- Extra flu vaccines outside the funded program
Your GP, pharmacist or travel clinic can provide details about pricing and availability.
A bit more on what additional costs might occur
Even when a vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), you might still pay a service or consultation fee depending on where you go. It’s always a good idea to check before booking.
At pharmacies
Most pharmacies now offer vaccinations, but processes and costs vary.
- Pharmacies participating in the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) can give free NIP vaccines to eligible people aged five years and over. They cannot charge an extra administration or service fee for these vaccinations.
- If you’re not eligible for the NIP, are under five, or choose not to share your details so the pharmacy can claim through the program, you’ll need to pay the usual private fee. In these cases, your vaccination may still be recorded in the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) as part of the pharmacy’s standard reporting process.
- It’s best to book ahead, often through a simple form on the pharmacy’s website, to make sure a trained pharmacist and vaccine stock are available.
- You can find pharmacies participating in the NIPVIP program on the Find a Pharmacy website.
At general practices
If your vaccine is free through the NIP, your GP or practice nurse will administer it, but there may still be a consultation fee if your practice doesn’t bulk bill. This fee covers the time and service provided by your GP or nurse.
- Ask when booking whether your appointment will be bulk billed or privately billed.
- If you’re paying privately, you may be able to claim a rebate through Medicare.
- You can search for bulk billing practices using the Healthdirect service finder.
At other providers
Travel clinics and specialist immunisation centres may charge higher consultation or service fees. Costs can also vary for vaccines that aren’t part of the NIP.
If you’re unsure, it’s okay to ask what the total cost will be before getting vaccinated – including any consultation or administration fees.
Need help or not sure what’s free for you?
It’s easy to find out:
💬 Ask your GP or practice nurse – they can check your record and give personalised advice.
📱 Check your vaccination history through the Medicare app or MyGov.
Learn more about the Australian Immunisation Register
Learn about the National Immunisation Program
Learn more about NSW Health immunisation programs
Staying up to date with your vaccinations keeps you, your loved ones and your community safer – and for most people, it won’t cost a thing. Be an immunisation hero.