COVID-19 vaccine and tests

COVID-19 vaccine

A lot of members are asking questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone in Australia regardless of Medicare or visa status.

If you don’t have a Medicare card, or are not eligible for Medicare, you can get your free vaccination at:

• a Commonwealth Vaccination Clinic
• a state or territory vaccination clinic.

The vaccine is voluntary, and everyone is encouraged to get a vaccine to help protect the community from COVID-19. Find out more on the Australian Government website.

As the COVID-19 vaccine is free for everyone in Australia, vaccination providers cannot charge you for the COVID-19 vaccine or for your appointments to receive the vaccine.

If your vaccination provider charges for any costs associated with the administration of the COVID-19 vaccination (including booking fees), you should:

• contact the Government by emailing provider.benefits.integrity@health.gov.au, or
• call the Provider Benefits Integrity Hotline on 1800 314 808 (9am to 5pm AEST weekdays). 

How to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination without a Medicare card

Visit the Government website.

If you’re not eligible for Medicare, you need an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) to get your proof online. You can apply for an IHI by using the Healthcare Identifiers service through myGov.

To do this, sign in to myGov then:

1. Select Services or Link your first service.
2. Select Individual Healthcare Identifiers service and then follow the prompts.

You don’t need an IHI to get the vaccines, you only need it to access proof of your vaccinations.