Immunisation medical exemptions

You may be able to get an exemption from having a vaccine if there is a valid medical reason.

To get some family assistance payments, your child must meet immunisation requirements.

What counts as a medical exemption

The only reasons you might be able to get an immunisation medical exemption are if you:

  • had anaphylaxis after a previous dose of a vaccine
  • had anaphylaxis after a dose of any component of a vaccine
  • are significantly immunocompromised - for live vaccines only
  • have natural immunity - for hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox) and Q fever only.

Who can record an immunisation medical exemption

Only eligible health professionals can record immunisation medical exemptions on the AIR.

Health professionals who can record an exemption are:

  • general practice registrars on an approved 3GA training placement
  • paediatricians
  • public health physicians
  • infectious disease physicians
  • clinical immunologists.

General practitioners (GP) who can record an exemption need to have one of the following credentials:

  • vocationally registered
  • fellows of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
  • fellows of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

Your GP will know if they can record an exemption.

An immunisation medical exemption can be recorded by either:

Page last updated: 25 September 2025.
QC 40531