Who's funded from 1 October 2026, which vaccine is available, and what to expect. Based on ATAGI recommendations and the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
🇦🇺 AUATAGI guidelinesUpdated 1 October 2026
📋 Sources — verified 1 October 2026: 1. Dept of Health — COVID-19 vaccine moving to the NIP. health.gov.au ↗ 1a. Dept of Health — COVID-19 vaccine NIP transition: consumer fact sheet. health.gov.au (PDF) ↗ 1b. ATAGI — Statement on transition of COVID-19 vaccines to the NIP (7 September 2026). health.gov.au (PDF) ↗ 2. Australian Immunisation Handbook (COVID-19 chapter) — immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au ↗ 3. NCIRS — COVID-19 vaccination fact sheets ↗ 4. TGA — Australian Product Information for Comirnaty, Spikevax and Nuvaxovid. tga.gov.au ↗ Editorial independence: This page was written and fact-checked independently by AskMyGP (Digital Treasure Pty Ltd). No pharmaceutical company has had editorial input into, reviewed, or approved this content, and none has requested or received brand preference. Vaccine availability is described as stated by ATAGI and the TGA, without brand preference. See our Editorial Independence & Funding policy.
✅ The NIP change is now in effect (from 1 October 2026). Free COVID-19 vaccination is now limited to specific groups (see below). Everyone else can choose to buy the vaccine privately after talking it through with their GP or pharmacist.
💰 Is the COVID-19 vaccine free for me?
Tap your situation for a quick guide to what’s funded from 1 October 2026. General information only — your GP confirms what’s right for you.
↑ Select your situation to see what’s funded.
Free under the NIP. ATAGI recommends two doses a year, about six months apart, and both are funded.
Free under the NIP — one dose a year. ATAGI recommends one dose a year. If you have medical risk conditions or severe immunocompromise, a second annual dose can be considered with your GP — that extra “consider” dose isn’t NIP-funded.
Free under the NIP — one dose a year. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50–74 are a named funded group. If you have medical risk conditions or severe immunocompromise, a second annual dose can be considered with your GP — that extra dose isn’t NIP-funded.
Free under the NIP — one dose a year (adults 18–64). ATAGI recommends one dose a year and says a second annual dose can be considered; the second “consider” dose isn’t NIP-funded. If you have a condition or treatment that severely weakens your immune system, ask your GP whether this applies to you.
Not a NIP-funded group. ATAGI says one dose a year can be considered with your GP. “Consider” doses aren’t funded, so unless you’re also Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander aged 50–64 (a funded group), COVID-19 vaccination would be a private purchase.
Not a NIP-funded group. ATAGI says one dose a year can be considered. “Consider” doses aren’t funded, so unless you’re also Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander aged 50–64 (a funded group), COVID-19 vaccination would be a private purchase.
This is general information, not personal medical advice — your GP confirms what’s right for you. Source: Department of Health and ATAGI (7 September 2026).
🩺 What counts as a medical risk condition?
The Australian Immunisation Handbook gives these examples of conditions linked with a higher risk of severe COVID-19. The list is not complete — your doctor can include other conditions on clinical judgement. If you are severely immunocompromised, extra doses are recommended.
Immunocompromising condition: Immunocompromise due to disease or treatment, asplenia or splenic dysfunction, HIV infection, malignancy, solid organ transplant, haematopoietic stem cell transplant, CAR T-cell therapy
Chronic respiratory condition: Severe asthma (requiring frequent medical consultations or the use of multiple medications), cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, suppurative lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic emphysema
Chronic neurological condition: Hereditary and degenerative CNS disease, seizure disorder, spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disorder, conditions which impair respiratory or airway function
Haematological disorder: Sickle cell disease or other haemoglobinopathy
Chronic liver disease: Conditions with progressive deterioration of liver function for more than 6 months, including cirrhosis and other advanced liver diseases
Chromosomal abnormality: Trisomy 21 or other genetic condition that increases the risk of severe disease
Until 30 September 2026, the COVID-19 vaccine was free for everyone under the National COVID-19 Vaccine Program. Since 1 October 2026, COVID-19 vaccines are funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) — the same system that funds vaccines like the flu shot and shingles vaccine.
Free NIP-funded vaccination is now available for: adults 75 and over (two doses a year), adults 65–74 (one dose a year), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50–74 (one dose a year), and adults 18–64 with severe immunocompromise (one dose a year). Everyone else can choose to purchase the vaccine privately after a risk–benefit discussion with their healthcare provider.
ℹ️ Private vaccination costs are set by the provider — ask your GP, pharmacist or clinic what they charge. ATAGI’s recommendations were also updated with the change (for example, adults 65–74 without medical risk conditions are now recommended one dose a year). Source: Department of Health; ATAGI statement, 7 September 2026.
It depends on your group. Since 1 October 2026, the COVID-19 vaccine is free under the NIP for adults 75+, adults 65–74, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50–74, and adults 18–64 with severe immunocompromise. If you’re outside these groups, you can choose to purchase it privately — ask your provider what they charge. Source: Department of Health, COVID-19 vaccine moving to the NIP.
Last verified 1 October 2026 There is no single national price: each clinic or pharmacy sets its own, and it can include an administration fee. Ask for the total price before you book.
If you are in a funded group (75 and over, 65–74, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50–74, or adults 18–64 with severe immunocompromise), the vaccine is free.
Vaccination is still recommended after recovery from a COVID-19 infection, once you've recovered. Ask your GP or pharmacist about appropriate timing after a recent infection. Source: Australian Immunisation Handbook ↗
ATAGI states the current COVID-19 vaccine available for use is Comirnaty LP.8.1. The National Immunisation Program Schedule lists Comirnaty as the funded COVID-19 vaccine. Availability of other TGA-registered brands varies by clinic or pharmacy, so ask your provider what they stock or can order in.
Most GP clinics and many pharmacies offer COVID-19 vaccination. Use the bulk-billing GP finder above to find a provider near you, or check with your regular pharmacy.
⚠ This page provides general information only — not personal medical advice. Whether the COVID-19 vaccine is right for you, and what it costs, depends on your age, health conditions and individual circumstances, and funding rules are changing. Speak with your GP or pharmacist before deciding on any vaccination.