A plan to cut childcare benefits from parents who fail to immunise their children is a step closer to passing parliament.
Only those with a valid medical reason will be exempt from the $500 million budget-saving crackdown on anti-vaxxers, under legislation which passed the lower house on Tuesday.
MPs from both sides of politics spoke in support of vaccinations as a safe and vital public health measure.
"No one wants to see a child die from whooping cough," government MP Natasha Griggs said.
Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek reflected on the experience of Australia's Ambassador in Washington and former opposition leader Kim Beazley who woke up paralysed as a five-year-old struck with polio.
"That's how recently this disease ... stalked the Australian community," she said.
"I can't imagine the fear that little boy felt, but I can certainly imagine the fear of his mother."
Social Services Minister Christian Porter spoke of growing up with a cousin who contracted polio.
The bill now proceeds to the Senate for debate.
