From 1 October 2026, Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination program will move under the National Immunisation Program with free vaccines mainly available to people at higher risk of severe illness. COVID vaccines will still be available to others but they may need to pay for them.
Key Points
- Free COVID vaccines will be more targeted. People aged 75 and over, adults aged 65–74, eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, and severely immunocompromised adults will remain among those eligible for free doses.
- Others can still get vaccinated, but may have to pay. Experts have raised concerns about younger people with chronic health conditions who may be at greater risk but do not meet the eligibility criteria.
- COVID has not disappeared. The virus continues to circulate in Australia, and health experts say vaccination remains particularly important for people at higher risk of severe disease.
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