Your baby’s vaccination schedule in Australia (2026) and why it matters

Your baby's vaccination schedule & why it's so important.

What you need to know about your baby’s vaccination schedule – and why most parents in Australia choose to fully immunise for strong, early protection.

Vaccination is one of the safest and most effective ways to protect children from serious, preventable diseases.

From whooping cough to measles and meningococcal disease, Australia’s National Immunisation Program provides a free, structured schedule of vaccines designed to protect babies from birth through to early school age.

And it actually starts before your baby is even born.

In the third trimester, pregnant women are encouraged to have a whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine. This helps pass early immunity to bub through the placenta, offering vital protection in those first vulnerable weeks of life.

Here’s what the schedule looks like and why timing matters.

When do vaccinations start?

Your baby’s first immunisation happens shortly after birth with a hepatitis B vaccine.

From there, vaccines are given at:

• 6 weeks
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 12 months
• 18 months
• 4 years

These vaccines are free under the National Immunisation Program and are available through GPs, community health centres, and local council clinics.

At the 6-week, 4-month and 6-month visits, babies receive combination vaccines that protect against multiple diseases, including:

• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Whooping cough (pertussis)
• Polio
• Hepatitis B
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Pneumococcal disease
• Rotavirus (a common cause of gastro)

Why so early?

Experts recommend starting at 6 weeks because babies are most vulnerable in the early months of life—particularly to whooping cough, which can be very serious in newborns.

At this age, babies have no developed immunity of their own, so early protection is essential while their immune systems are still building.

What happens at later stages

As babies grow, further vaccines are given to strengthen and extend protection:

12 months

• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Meningococcal ACWY
• Pneumococcal booster

18 months

• MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella/chickenpox)
• DTPa booster (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough)
• Hib booster

4 years

• DTPa-IPV (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio)
• MMR catch-up (if not already given)

What else can parents do?

Protection doesn’t stop with baby’s injections.

• Pregnant women are encouraged to receive a whooping cough booster in the third trimester
• Partners, grandparents and close carers should also be vaccinated or up to date with boosters
• This creates a protective “cocoon” around newborns who are too young to be fully immunised

A meningococcal B vaccine is also available in Australia. It is not currently part of the universal free schedule for all babies, but may be recommended for higher-risk groups or chosen privately.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines introduce a small, safe part of a virus or bacteria to the immune system. This doesn’t cause illness, but it trains the body to recognise and fight the disease in future.

If your child later comes into contact with the real infection, their immune system is already prepared to respond quickly and reduce the risk of serious illness.

Is immunisation compulsory?

No. Vaccination is not legally required in Australia.

However, it is strongly recommended by health authorities and is linked to eligibility for certain government payments, including the Child Care Subsidy and Family Tax Benefit Part A.

Parents who choose not to vaccinate may need to submit a conscientious objection form with the Australian Immunisation Register to access some benefits.

Health experts also note that delaying or skipping vaccines can increase the risk of preventable illness, both for individual children and the wider community.

Three key reasons parents choose to vaccinate:

1. Protection: Vaccines help prevent serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases

2. Safety: Vaccines are rigorously tested, with side effects typically mild and short-lived (such as soreness or mild fever)

3. Community health: Vaccination helps protect babies, elderly people, and those who cannot be immunised

The 2026 Australian National Immunisation Schedule

Birth
Hepatitis B

6 weeks
DTPa, hepatitis B, polio, Hib
Pneumococcal
Rotavirus

4 months
DTPa, hepatitis B, polio, Hib
Pneumococcal
Rotavirus

6 months
DTPa, hepatitis B, polio, Hib
Pneumococcal
Rotavirus (brand-dependent)

12 months
MMR
Meningococcal ACWY
Pneumococcal booster

18 months
MMRV
DTPa booster
Hib booster

4 years
DTPa-IPV
MMR (if required)

For the most up-to-date information tailored to your state or territory, visit the Australian Government Immunisation website or speak with your GP or child health nurse.