Tehan issues immunisation reminder to share with parents as new academic year begins

Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan reminded families to check the immunisation status of their child/ren so as not to affect a number of Centrelink payments available to them.

While there are a number of practical considerations involved in supporting children to begin the 2020 academic year, Mr Tehan said health “should also be a priority”, explaining that vaccination is “the safest way to protect children from vaccine preventable diseases”.

“Parents who do not immunise their children are putting their own children at risk, as well as the children of others,” he added. 

Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert also noted that the quickest way for families to access their child’s immunisation history was online, encouraging those families who currently receive family assistance payments, or who plan to claim this year, to pay close attention to their child’s status. 

“The easiest way to check your child’s status is on your Medicare online account through myGov, or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app,” he added. This is also the best method for families to attain a copy of their child’s Immunisation History Statement, which may need to be provided to early childhood education and care (ECEC) services on enrolment. 

Mr Robert explained that as well as family assistance payments, eligibility for Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy may also be impacted by a child’s immunisation status, recommending that families “talk to your health provider about a catch up schedule, if you’ve fallen behind”. 

More information about immunisation requirements, as they relate to family payments, please see here.