From 1 October 2026, the way COVID-19 vaccines are funded in Australia will change, with vaccines moving to the National Immunisation Program (NIP). The NIP will replace the stand-alone National COVID-19 Vaccine Program, which was established during the pandemic to provide broad access to free COVID-19 vaccination.
Under the new arrangements, free COVID-19 vaccines will be restricted to people at highest risk of severe disease. From 1 October, free vaccination will be limited to:
- adults aged 75 years and over — two doses per year, approximately six months apart
- adults aged 65–74 years — one dose per year
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50–74 years — one dose per year
- adults aged 18–64 years with severe immunocompromise — one dose per year.
People outside these groups may still choose to receive a COVID-19 vaccine but may need to purchase it privately following discussion with their healthcare provider.
What does this mean for nurses and midwives?
Many nurses and midwives who can currently access a COVID-19 vaccine free of charge may no longer be eligible for a free vaccine once the new arrangements commence. Current vaccination advice recommends regular COVID-19 vaccination for protection against severe illness. Adults aged 18–64 years without severe immunocompromise can consider a dose every 12 months, while more frequent vaccination is recommended or may be considered for some older and higher-risk groups.
If you are due for, or considering, a COVID-19 vaccination, now is a good time to check when you last received a dose and consider whether another vaccination is appropriate for you. If you are aged between 18 to 64 years and haven’t had a dose in 12 months, now may be a good time to book in for a free vaccination, before the funding rules change and payment would likely be required.
You can also use the Health Direct service finder to locate a local clinic by selecting ‘COVID-19 vaccine clinic’ from the drop down menu and your postcode.
Info on the National Immunisation Program here
