8.1.1 Immunisation requirement changes from 01/07/2018

Summary

From 1 July 2018, the No Jab, No Pay measure was strengthened with new compliance arrangements to provide a more immediate incentive for individuals to immunise their children. Where immunisation requirements are not met for children aged under 20 years, rather than withholding the FTB Part A end of year supplement, an individual's FTB Part A child rate will be reduced (2.1.3.10).

Note: From 1 July 2012 to 31 December 2015, immunisation requirements were assessed in the income years in which the FTB child turned 1, 2 and 5 years. From 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2018, immunisation requirements applied to children for income years during which they turned 1, and in each income year after that up to the end of the calendar year in which they turned 19 (including past period or lump sum claims). Where immunisation requirements are not met an individual's FTB Part A end of year supplement is withheld, rather than an individual's FTB Part A child rate being reduced (8.1.2).

Certification of medical contraindication & natural immunity

From 17 August 2017, eligibility to certify that immunisation of a child is medically contraindicated or that a child does not require immunisation because the child has developed a natural immunity was extended from general practitioners (1.1.G.12), to also include paediatricians, public health physicians, infectious diseases physicians and clinical immunologists. From 1 January 2016 to 16 August 2017, only general practitioners could certify medical contraindication and natural immunity.