Key messages
- By law, a child must have an Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register to enrol in primary school.
- By law, an Immunisation History Statement must be provided to the primary school when enrolling a child, even if the certificate shows that the child has not received any vaccinations.
- Immunisation History Statements can be obtained from the Australian Immunisation Register.
Immunisation – why you should
By law, a child must have an Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) to enrol in primary school.
Children starting school are exposed to a large number of people and a range of potentially dangerous diseases. Immunisation is a proven and safe way to protect children against diseases that cause serious illness and sometimes death.
Enrolling in primary school is a good time to check that a child’s vaccinations are up to date.
Immunisation History Statements
An Immunisation History Statement from the AIR is a statement showing the vaccinations a child has received.
By law, an Immunisation History Statement from the AIR must be provided to the primary school when enrolling a child, even if it shows that the child has not received any vaccinations.
The school keeps a copy of the Immunisation History Statement so that, if there is a disease outbreak, unvaccinated children can be quickly identified and excluded from school until the risk of infection has passed.
If the Immunisation History Statement from the AIR is not provided to the school, a child may be excluded from school during a disease outbreak because their immunisation status is unknown.
Homeopathic treatment is not a legally recognised form of immunisation.
You can find out more about the Immunisation History on the Better Health Channel website.
Where to get an Immunisation History Statement
From the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
Parents and guardians will be sent an Immunisation History Statement from the AIR when their child turns 5 years old, but a Statement can be requested at any time.
Parents or guardians should contact the AIR if they:
- are moving or have recently moved, to ensure their contact details are up to date
- think their child’s statement is incomplete or incorrect.
You can access and print your child’s Immunisation History Statement from your account.
You can do this:
- online, through your account and then accessing your Medicare online
- through the Express Plus Medicare mobile
- by calling the AIR enquiries (it can take up to 10 business days to get your statement in the post)
- by asking your doctor or immunisation provider to print a copy.
If you have difficulty getting a copy via your account you can:
- call the AIR on 1800 653 809
- visit a Medicare or Centrelink .
Families who do not hold a Medicare card must call the AIR to request an Immunisation History Statement.
A Translating and Interpreting Service is available by calling 131 450, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:45pm.
Further information
The department has a range of fact sheets on vaccine-preventable diseases and immunisation, including in other languages.
Downloads
Reviewed 24 June 2024