Vaccine Science

Flu vaccine FAQ Australia: cost, free shots, timing

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Quick answer: In Australia the seasonal flu vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for at-risk groups (children aged six months to five, adults 65 and over, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with certain medical conditions).

Annual flu shots reduce your likelihood of catching the seasonal flu and the severity of flu symptoms if you get infected.

Who are the ideal candidates for a yearly flu vaccination?

People aged 6 months and up and anyone who wishes to lessen their chances of getting sick with the flu and minimise the risk of spreading the disease to others.

Am I eligible for a free flu vaccine?

More and more companies are offering free shots to their employees during annual flu vaccinations or wellness programs. The seasonal flu vaccine is also given for free and strongly recommended to high-risk groups as part of Australia’s National Immunisation Program.

Why are Aboriginal children given the flu shot for free?

Since 2015, the flu vaccine has been free for Aboriginal children aged 6 months to 5 years old. They are at greater risk of serious illness and complications and are more likely to die from the flu than non-indigenous children.

What can I do if I’m not eligible for the free flu vaccine?

If you’re outside the National Immunisation Program eligibility groups and the Queensland or WA state-funded windows, you have a few options.

You can book a paid flu shot at your local GP or pharmacy — most pharmacies and bulk-billing GPs offer walk-in or same-day appointments during the season.

You can also speak to your HR or People & Culture team, or your health and wellbeing manager, about running a workplace flu vaccination programme. Many employers fund the vaccine for staff regardless of NIP eligibility, either through an onsite clinic at your workplace or by issuing pharmacy vouchers staff redeem at any of 2,000+ partner pharmacies. Corporate Care delivers both options across Australia and New Zealand — request a tailored quote if your workplace would like to set one up.

Can I get the COVID-19 and flu vaccine at the same time?

Yes. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same visit. Co-administration is safe and produces a comparable immune response (Australian Immunisation Handbook: COVID-19 chapter, co-administration with other vaccines; AIH Influenza chapter, co-administration).

Where can I get my flu shot?

A few options across Australia and New Zealand:

  • Your local GP — most run flu clinics from March onward.
  • Local council immunisation clinics — often free or low-cost, with schedules that vary by council.
  • Major pharmacy chains and independent pharmacies — pharmacist-administered, walk-in or appointment.
  • Direct from fluvouchers.com.au — buy a flu voucher and redeem at any of our 2,000+ partner pharmacies, no GP visit needed.
  • Through your employer — many businesses run workplace flu vaccination programmes in April and May.

Corporate Care can help with the last two: workplace programmes for employers, or vouchers for individuals via fluvouchers.com.au.

How much does a seasonal flu vaccine cost in Australia?

It depends on where you get it and whether you’re eligible for a free shot.

  • Free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for eligible groups: pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all ages, children aged 6 months to under 5 years, and people with specific medical conditions (Australian Immunisation Handbook).
  • Free in Queensland for all Queensland residents aged 6 months and older — funded by the Queensland Government (Queensland Health).
  • Free in Western Australia at participating pharmacies and GPs from 1 May to 30 June for people aged 12 to 64 not otherwise eligible under the NIP (WA Department of Health).
  • Through a workplace flu programme with Corporate Care: pharmacy vouchers from $23.95 per staff member (redeemable at 2,000+ major pharmacy chains and independent pharmacies across Australia), or onsite clinics from $425 + GST minimum charge per clinic (get a tailored quote).

If you’re not eligible for a free shot and you’re outside the Queensland or WA programme windows, fees vary by provider — contact your local pharmacy or doctor for current pricing.

Decision pathway diagram showing four routes to a flu vaccine in Australia: NIP-eligible groups (free), Queensland residents (free, state-funded), Western Australia residents in May to June (free, state-funded), and workplace programmes (pharmacy vouchers from $23.95 or onsite clinics from $425 plus GST). Source: National Immunisation Program; Queensland Health; WA Department of Health.
Where Australians can get a flu shot — and what each route costs

When is the best time to get vaccinated?

A timely vaccination would be right before the flu season, which begins during Autumn’s transition months (March/April/May).

How often do I need to get the flu shot?

You should get vaccinated yearly to protect against the different kinds and most recent flu strains. Even if it’s found that the main flu strains haven’t changed for the current year, getting the flu shot is still recommended to protect yourself and those around you.

How effective is the vaccine against the flu?

Effectiveness varies year to year and depends on how well the seasonal vaccine matches the strains in circulation. In a well-matched season, the Australian Immunisation Handbook reports influenza vaccine effectiveness of approximately 65% against laboratory-confirmed influenza in young children when the vaccine and circulating strains are well matched.

Effectiveness against severe outcomes — like hospitalisation — is typically higher than effectiveness against catching the virus in the first place. In pregnant women, for example, the AIH reports the standard inactivated vaccine is approximately 50% effective at reducing laboratory-confirmed influenza and around 65% effective against hospital admissions for acute respiratory illness. In adults aged 65 and older, post-licensure studies show the adjuvanted influenza vaccine is between 4.7% and 33% more effective at preventing hospitalisation from influenza or pneumonia than the standard-dose vaccine.

Even in lower-match seasons, vaccinated people are still better protected against influenza than unvaccinated people.

Bar chart showing influenza vaccine effectiveness across four populations: young children (about 65% lab-confirmed flu prevention), pregnant women (about 50% lab-confirmed plus about 65% reduction in hospitalisation), adults aged 65 and over receiving the adjuvanted vaccine (4.7% to 33% improvement against hospitalisation versus standard-dose), and the general population in a well-matched season. Source: Australian Immunisation Handbook, Influenza chapter.
Influenza vaccine effectiveness, summarised across populations

Is the flu vaccine safe?

No vaccine is 100% safe, but flu vaccines used in Australia are inactivated (the virus in them is killed), so they cannot cause influenza.

Every flu vaccine used in Australia is checked at multiple stages before and after it reaches patients:

Flu-like symptoms may show up to 48 hours after a flu shot but tend to be mild. People with allergies or concerns about side effects should discuss them with their doctor or immunisation provider. Accredited Nurse Immunisers are trained to screen for allergies before vaccination and to manage any Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI).

Process flow diagram showing the four-stage safety review pipeline for every flu vaccine used in Australia: TGA pre-approval (assessing safety, quality, efficacy and testing every batch), ATAGI clinical recommendation, post-supply monitoring with the publicly searchable DAEN database, and AusVaxSafety active surveillance via SMS and email surveys after vaccination. Source: TGA, ATAGI, AusVaxSafety.
How every flu vaccine in Australia is checked, before and after use

Is it safe to get the flu shot if I’m pregnant?

Yes. A flu jab is recommended at any stage of pregnancy. The risk to mother or baby from flu illness is greater than any risk from the inactivated vaccine.

Does the flu vaccine have potential side effects?

As with any medication, some people may have unexpected reactions to the flu vaccine.

Common side effects of the seasonal flu shot include:

  • headache or muscle aches
  • low-grade temperature
  • tiredness or drowsiness
  • feeling unwell in general

The following may develop at the injection site:

  • a temporary small lump
  • pain, redness and swelling

Severe allergic reactions are very rare and almost always occur within 15 minutes of vaccination. Vaccine providers will typically ask you to stay for that observation window, brief you on what to look out for, and tell you what to do if you react.

What to do if I experience any side effects?

Side effects, if at all experienced, are minor and short-lived. Mild reactions show within 6-12 hours and usually resolve on their own without needing treatment.

Infants and children who develop a fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius can be given paracetamol if not contraindicated (please seek medical advice). If high temperatures persist, call your doctor or seek medical assistance.

If you are unsure or concerned about post-vaccination symptoms you or your child may be experiencing, call:

  • Healthdirect Australia for 24-hour health advice on 1800 022 222
  • Your doctor for advice or seek immediate medical attention
  • An ambulance by phoning 000 or go directly to your closest Emergency Department

What to do if I experience an unexpected reaction?

Report any adverse event you or your child may experience after getting the flu vaccine to:

Should I get a flu jab if I previously experienced an immediate allergic reaction?

No. Anyone who’s had a severe immediate allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous flu vaccine should not get vaccinated again. If unsure, discuss it first with your doctor or immunisation provider.

Run a flu clinic at your workplace.

AHPRA-registered Accredited Nurse Immunisers, digital consent on arrival, full AIR reporting. We run programmes Australia-wide and across New Zealand. Request a tailored quote, or call us and we’ll talk you through it.

Get a quote Call 1300 79 74 10

Sources

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