A practical guide for Australian travellers on preparing for a healthy trip overseas.
Travelling overseas exposes you to diseases that aren't common in Australia. Many countries have health risks — from mosquito-borne illnesses to food and waterborne diseases — that your body hasn't built immunity against. Travel vaccinations are your first line of defence.
Some vaccinations are legally required for entry into certain countries (like Yellow Fever), while others are strongly recommended based on your destination, activities, and health status.
Required vaccinations are mandated by a country's government as a condition of entry. The most common is Yellow Fever — many African and South American countries require proof of vaccination. Some countries also require proof of Polio vaccination. Without the certificate, you may be denied entry or quarantined on arrival.
Recommended vaccinations aren't mandatory for entry but are advised by health authorities based on disease risks in your destination. These include Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, and Cholera, among others. Your travel health doctor will recommend which ones you need based on where you're going, what you'll be doing, and how long you're staying.
Before worrying about travel-specific vaccines, make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date. These include Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (dTap), Polio, and your annual Influenza vaccine. Check your immunisation history — many Australians are due for boosters they don't realise they need.
Book a travel health appointment at least 6-8 weeks before your departure. Some vaccines require multiple doses over several weeks, so last-minute appointments may mean incomplete protection. Bring your itinerary, passport, and any previous vaccination records (your Australian Immunisation Register record is available through myGov).
You have two main options in Australia: a dedicated travel health clinic (like Travel Doctor TMVC, Travelvax, or Travel Vaccination Healthcare) or your regular GP. Travel clinics specialise in destination-specific advice and carry a wider range of vaccines. Yellow Fever can only be administered at approved Yellow Fever vaccination centres.
Find a travel vaccination clinic near you →
Most travel vaccinations are not covered by Medicare or the PBS. Some routine vaccines (like the flu shot) may be covered if you're in an eligible group. Expect to pay the full cost of travel-specific vaccines out of pocket. Check with your travel clinic or GP about current pricing — costs can vary between clinics.
See our full vaccination cost guide →
Travel vaccinations fall into three broad categories that determine your individual schedule and cost:
These are vaccines all Australians should have regardless of travel — but travel is a good prompt to check that they are up to date. Includes tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (dTpa), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), polio, varicella (chickenpox), and influenza. The Australian Immunisation Register (accessible through the Medicare app) shows your full history since 1996.
Many adults have gaps in routine vaccination — a 2019 ATAGI review found that adult dTpa booster coverage is below 30% in Australians over 50. Travel-clinic visits are a useful catch-up opportunity.
These are recommended based on the disease pattern of where you're going, the type of travel (urban tourist vs. rural backpacker), the duration, and your activities. Common travel vaccines include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, rabies, cholera, meningococcal ACWY, and yellow fever.
A small number of vaccines are required by law for entry to specific countries — primarily Yellow Fever (most sub-Saharan African countries and parts of South America) and meningococcal ACWY (required for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia). Required vaccines need a certificate (the "yellow card" for YF) presented at the border.
Travel vaccines are not on Australia's National Immunisation Program — they are paid privately. Per-dose costs typically range from $45 (typhoid) to $340 (Japanese Encephalitis Imojev). Plus the consultation fee, typically $50–$95 at a dedicated travel clinic. See our cost guide for vaccine-by-vaccine pricing.
The standard recommendation is 6–8 weeks before departure. Single-dose vaccines (typhoid, hepatitis A, meningococcal, yellow fever) take 7–14 days to develop protection. Multi-dose vaccines (hepatitis B, JE, rabies) take 4 weeks or more for the full schedule. See our timing guide for accelerated schedule options if departure is sooner.
You have three main options in Australia:
Use our clinic finder to locate approved travel-vaccination centres in each state.
Most travel vaccines cause mild local reactions (sore arm, swelling, redness) for 24–48 hours. Some cause low-grade fever and fatigue for a day or two. Live attenuated vaccines (yellow fever, oral typhoid, MMR) can cause mild systemic symptoms 5–10 days after the dose. Significant adverse reactions are rare but should be reported to your clinician and to the TGA.
The clinic will update your record with the Australian Immunisation Register so future clinicians can see your current status.
Last updated: May 2026