Are vaccinations covered by health insurance?

While COVID-19 vaccinations are free in Australia, other vaccines with out-of-pocket costs can be covered by private health insurance with some Extras policies from around $6 a week*

Who is this cover for?

What you need to know:

  • There's no charge to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Australia.
  • The cost of other vaccinations can be lowered if you hold the right Extras policy.
  • Health insurance that helps cover the cost of vaccines starts at around $6 a week*.

*Prices are based on a single person living in Sydney earning less than $97,000 per year.

Are COVID-19 vaccines covered by Medicare?

Everyone can get their COVID-19 vaccines for free in Australia. You don't need a Medicare card and it doesn't matter whether or not you're eligible for Medicare.

You can book an appointment via the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker. You can get your free vaccinations at:

  • A Commonwealth vaccination clinic
  • State or territory vaccination clinics
  • Community pharmacies offering COVID-19 vaccines

If you don't hold a valid Medicare card, you'll want to get proof that you've had your COVID-19 vaccination. Simply ask your vaccination provider to print a copy of your Immunisation History Statement.

Private health insurance and vaccinations

Any government-approved vaccines that aren't included on the pharmaceutical benefits list (PBS) can be claimed for through some Extras cover plans. The medicine will need to cost more than $41.30. Otherwise, you may need to fund the vaccine privately and you should talk to your GP about this.

Below are policies from Finder partners with cover for Non-PBS Pharmaceuticals. All prices are based on a single individual with less than $97,000 income and living in Sydney.

1 - 10 of 32
Name and lozenges Finder Score Treatments Price
Finder score
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
$29.60
per month
Go to SiteView details
Finder score
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
Want up to 8 weeks free plus a $50 gift card? Join and maintain eligible Extras cover by 4 Dec 2024. T&Cs Apply. Excludes Healthy Living Extras. Learn more.
$36.90
per month
Go to SiteView details
Finder score
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
Want up to 8 weeks free plus a $50 gift card? Join and maintain eligible Extras cover by 4 Dec 2024. T&Cs Apply. Excludes Healthy Living Extras. Learn more.
$36.95
per month
Go to SiteView details
Finder score
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
$42.70
per month
Go to SiteView details
value extras
Extras cover
Finder score
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
$43.50
per month
Go to SiteView details
Finder score
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
Want up to 8 weeks free plus a $50 gift card? Join and maintain eligible Extras cover by 4 Dec 2024. T&Cs Apply. Excludes Healthy Living Extras. Learn more.
$49.75
per month
Go to SiteView details
Finder score
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
$50.45
per month
Go to SiteView details
Finder score
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
$57.20
per month
Go to SiteView details
Finder score
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
Want up to 8 weeks free plus a $50 gift card? Join and maintain eligible Extras cover by 4 Dec 2024. T&Cs Apply. Excludes Healthy Living Extras. Learn more.
$58.05
per month
Go to SiteView details
Finder score
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
$61.85
per month
Go to SiteView details
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Showing 10 of 32 results

Finder Score - Health Insurance Extras

Each month we analyse over 10,000 extras insurance products and rate each one on price and features. What we end up with is a nice round number out of 10 that helps you compare extras cover a bit faster.

We want to compare apples to apples, not apples to apple pie. It doesn't make sense to compare a top extras policy with coverage for hearing aids and braces against a policy designed only for dental. So we've separated all the extras policies on the market into pools and categories. Once in their pools and categories, each product gets a price score and a features score, which are then combined to give the Final Score.

Read the full Finder Score methodology

Why compare health insurance with Finder?

  • We don't ask for your phone or email to see prices.

  • With 1 click, you can open your results to nearly every fund in Australia.

  • You pay the same price as going direct – we charge no fees.

Sarah Megginson's headshot
Our expert says

"Sometimes you can be eligible for free vaccinations based on your situation or recent changes to the law. When I was pregnant in 2023 I was able to get the flu shot for free, along with elderly people and other at-risk groups. In 2024, all Queenslanders aged 6 months and over can get the flu vax for free (until September). It's always worth asking!"

Head of editorial

Which routine vaccinations are covered by Medicare?

The government's National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule lists the immunisations given at specific times in life. Routine vaccinations are typically available for free from providers that bulk bill. The eligibility for free vaccines is linked to eligibility for Medicare benefits.

Here are the key vaccines listed under the NIP:

Routine vaccineWhen is it administered under the NIP Schedule?
Hepatitis A2 dose schedule at 18 months and 4 years of age
DiphtheriaCan be given from 6 weeks of age
TetanusCan be given from 6 weeks of age
Whooping CoughCan be given from 6 weeks of age
Hepatitis BTypically first offered in the hospital post-birth; then at 6 weeks; 4 and 6 months
PolioCan be given from 6 weeks of age
Haemophilus Influenzae Type BCan be given from 6 weeks of age
RotavirusCan be given from 6 weeks of age
PneumococcalCan be given from 6 weeks of age
Varicella (chickenpox)Given to children at 18 months
Meningococcal meningitisOffered at 12 months and again in school programs at age of 14-16
Measles, Mumps and RubellaRoutinely offered at 12 months
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)Offered via school programs at age of 12-13
ShinglesOffered to those between 70-79
Annual InfluenzaOffered free-of-charge to the following:
  • Children 6 months to 5 years
  • Those who are 6 months and older with specified medical risk conditions
  • People 65 and older
  • Pregnant women

How much are travel vaccines?

Here are some common costs of travel vaccinations:

Travel vaccineCost*Unit
Cholera$50-$70Sachet
Hepatitis A$60-$90Dose
Hepatitis B$20-$35Dose
Hepatitis A + B$75-$100Combined dose
Japanese encephalitis$275-$325Combined dose
Meningococcal meningitis$60-$70Dose
Rabies$110-$130Dose
Typhoid$50-$70Dose
Typhoid/Hepatitis A$125-$150Combined dose
Yellow fever$90-$130Dose

*Use these figures as a general guide. Prices can vary significantly.

Which countries require travel vaccines?

Vaccine requirements can change at any time – check Smart Traveller and Travel Doctor for the latest information. Here are some typical vaccinations in 4 regions:

AreaRecommended travel vaccines
Southeast Asia
  • Hepatitis A
  • Typhoid
  • Influenza
  • Rabies
  • Japanese Encephalitis
  • Cholera
  • Yellow Fever
South America
  • Yellow Fever (mandatory)
  • Tetanus
  • Hepatitis A
  • Typhoid
  • Rabies
  • Meningitis
Africa
  • Hepatitis A
  • Yellow Fever (mandatory)
  • Typhoid
  • Rabies
  • Meningitis
Pacific Islands
  • Hepatitis A
  • Typhoid

Frequently asked questions

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Written by

Editor

James Martin was the insurance editor at Finder. He has written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 7 years. James often shares his insurance expertise as a media spokesperson and has appeared on Prime 7 News, WIN News, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. He holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, both of which meet the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

James's expertise
James has written 212 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Car, home, life, health, travel and pet insurance
  • Managing the cost of living
  • Money-saving tips

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