Vaccinations for Australia: Everything you need to know

Australia offers something for everyone, from the iconic beaches, to fun-packed cities, and outstanding natural beauty. It’s a long way to go though - and you don’t want to allow illness to ruin your trip. This guide covers which vaccinations you’ll need to consider to make sure you can travel safely.

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Do I need vaccinations for Australia?

Before you travel anywhere it’s worth double checking all your regular vaccinations are up to date, and taking advice to understand if there are extra travel health measures you should put in place.

Vaccine requirements can be very specific to the individual, based on your plans and activities as well as underlying conditions and lifestyle factors. This means that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach - getting individual advice from a travel health doctor is your best plan. This guide walks through some things to think about, and to discuss with your doctor.

What vaccinations are required for Australia?

There’s no longer any requirement to show proof of covid vaccination for entry to Australia², although as rules can change rapidly it’s well worth checking the UK government’s country specific information before you book your trip.

This means that the key situation in which a vaccination would be mandatory for you to enter Australia would be if you’re travelling from or transiting in a country where there’s a risk of yellow fever³. These countries are mainly in Africa, Central and South America, but if you happen to be on a multi-stop trip, or have a 12 hour or more transit en route through an at risk country, you’ll need to double check you have the paperwork needed to get into Australia.

Australia required travel vaccinations

As a precaution, talk to a travel health doctor or specialist about 4 weeks before your trip. They’ll check your records to see if you’re up to date with your regular UK vaccinations, and can also offer advice on other travel specific vaccinations based on your plans.

Most of the regular vaccinations recommended for life in the UK are given in childhood, but as there are some offered to older people or specific vulnerable groups, it’s still worth double checking the basic requirements with the NHS website⁴ or your doctor. Beyond that, there are some vaccines which are recommended to all travellers and others which may be given only to those with specific needs. First, a look at the vaccines recommended to all travellers:

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is on the usual childhood vaccination schedule in the UK. However, a booster might be recommended if you’re travelling to an at risk area. Diphtheria is passed on through respiratory droplets, so whether or not you get the booster, it’s worth practising good hand washing hygiene to reduce risk of this and other infections.

Tetanus

Tetanus is another vaccine which is given in childhood but which requires boosters every 10 years. Tetanus is transmitted by bacteria in soil, and can be a problem if you have cuts, scratches or burns. You may not even notice the initial injury which becomes infected, which is why keeping up to date with boosters is handy, even when travelling to more urban areas.

Selectively recommended Australia travel vaccinations

Aside from the vaccines above, travellers to Australia might be advised to get specific vaccinations based on their plans. There are some vaccines which are suggested to people travelling for specific activities. For example, if you’re planning on caving you may be asked to get a vaccine against a rabies-like illness passed on by bats, but this vaccine isn’t needed for people who aren’t likely to come into contact with bats during their trip.

Other vaccines are recommended only to long term travellers staying for more than a month, or for people with underlying conditions. Here are a couple your doctor might suggest:

Hepatitis A

You can get Hepatitis A from contaminated food or water, or through contact with other infected people. Hepatitis A vaccination may be recommended if you have underlying conditions which could mean you’re at risk of more serious disease if exposed, or if your specific travel plans could put you at increased risk.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is passed on through blood and bodily fluids, contaminated needles and medical equipment, and unprotected sex. This might be recommended if you’re likely to need any medical or dental work while you travel, and is also sometimes advised for children who may be at greater risk of small injuries like cuts and scratches.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito borne disease, which is more common in wet and rural areas. This vaccination is usually recommended for people staying in Australia for a long time, particularly if you’ll be outdoors and in more rural or agricultural areas a lot.

Health Tips for Travelling to Australia

Australia is not usually thought of as a high risk destination, so taking some basic common sense precautions should be enough to keep you safe and healthy throughout your trip. Here are a few final tips:

• If you’re at risk from deep vein thrombosis during long haul travel get medical advice and use compression stockings
• Be wary of the heat - stay hydrated and use sun protection liberally
• Try to avoid insect bites - even where there’s little chance of disease, infected bits can be nasty
• Wash your hands frequently and carry alcohol based sanitiser for use when you can’t get to a bathroom

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Sources used for this article:

Sources last checked on date: 24-May-2024