Getting vaccinated for COVID-19
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for individuals 16 years and older.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccines will be voluntary
Australians have a great record in being immunised. The COVID-19 vaccine will be voluntary, universal and free. If a safe and effective vaccine becomes available for COVID-19, the Government aims to have as many Australians as possible choose to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
If people choose not to have a COVID-19 vaccine, this will not affect their family's eligibility for Family Tax Benefit Part A or childcare fee assistance which only includes National Immunisation Program vaccines for those aged under 20 years.
Who will receive a vaccine?
The Australian Government is committed to providing all Australians with access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, to those who wish to vaccinate against COVID-19. As doses will initially be limited, access to vaccines during the early period of the rollout will be made available to highest priority groups.
Learn more about the ATAGI’s advice to Government on priority population groups for COVID-19 vaccination.
How a vaccine will be distributed
The Australian Government is currently consulting with the states and territories, and medical experts on how a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed.
This includes setting out the roles and responsibilities of the Commonwealth and state and territory governments to implement a COVID-19 vaccine program in Australia in 2021.
The rollout program will depend on the nature and test results of the vaccines approved for use. It will also take into account current outbreaks, available public health information and advice from the experts including ATAGI. Further information on the vaccine program rollout will be provided in the coming months.
Read more about how COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed.
COVID-19 vaccine information for international travellers
At this time, Australian Government advice for international travellers remains unchanged, regardless of your COVID-19 vaccination status.
Passengers travelling to Australia must be tested for COVID-19 72 hours or less prior to the scheduled flight departure, and display evidence of a negative test result at the time of check-in.
People arriving in Australia may be quarantined for 14 days and might have to comply with other state and territory travel restrictions.