Settlement Guide: 5 new facts on immunisation for families

The Australian Government has extended the immunisation requirements for Child Care Benefit (CCB), Child Care Rebate (CCR) and the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A end of year supplement. Families with children who are not immunised and do not have an approved exemption will not receive family assistance payments. However, families have access to free catch-up vaccines until 31 December 2017.

Medical care Source: Getty Images

Only parents of children, less than 20 years of age, who are fully immunised or are on a recognised catch-up schedule can receive the benefits.

The relevant vaccinations are those under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). These vaccinations must be recorded on the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR).

(AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING. Source: AAP

Image: Centrelink – AAP

Children with medical contraindications or natural immunity for certain diseases will continue to be exempt from the requirements.

Children by Public Domain Source: Public Domain

Image: Children – Public Domain Pixabay

Conscientious objection and vaccination objection on non-medical grounds will no longer be a valid exemption from immunisation requirements.

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Families eligible to receive family assistance payments and have children less than 20 years of age, who may not meet the new immunisation requirements, will be notified by Centrelink.

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Image: AUD – AAP

Free catch-up is available for parents with children less than 10 years of age.

All states and territories are providing free catch-up NIP vaccines for all children less than 10 years of age on an on-going basis.

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Image: Family – Getty images

For more information visit The Department of Social Services.

DSS https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/families-and-children/benefits-payments/strengthening-immunisation-for-young-children

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is accessible from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call.

WHO:  immunisation prevents between 2-3 million deaths every year in all age groups from diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and measles. It is one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions.

For more information visit World Health Organisation http://www.who.int/features/qa/84/en/

 

NIP http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/national-immunisation-program-schedule

ACIR https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/medicare/australian-childhood-immunisation-register

CCB https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/child-care-benefit

CCR https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/child-care-rebate

FTB https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/family-tax-benefit

TIS https://www.tisnational.gov.au/

CENTRELINK https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/dhs/centrelink