Hepatitis B vaccination
The Hepatitis B vaccine is funded for babies under the National immunisation Program with catch-up vaccine available for people prior to turning 20.
The vaccine is also funded for:
- refugees
- humanitarian entrants.
In the ACT hepatitis B vaccines are also funded for:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- household and sexual contacts of a hepatitis B positive person
- immunosuppressed people
- men who have sex with men
- migrants from hepatitis B endemic countries are recommended to receive testing for hepatitis B and hepatitis B vaccine as appropriate
- people with chronic liver disease
- people with HIV or hepatitis C
- people with developmental disabilities
- people who receive blood products
- preterm and low birthweight infants (to receive 5th dose)
- sex workers
- people who inject drugs.
Hepatitis B vaccine is not free for persons outside of these priority populations, healthcare students, or persons travelling overseas.
Ask your doctor or other immunisation provider about how to get the funded vaccine. You may be charged a consultation fee.
Who else should receive the vaccine
Hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended if you:
- work in certain high-risk jobs, including healthcare workers, embalmers, tattooists and body-piercers, acupuncturists and sex workers
- are a resident or staff member of a facility for people with intellectual disabilities
- are a staff member of a long-term correction facility
- are travelling to regions where Hepatitis B is common.
The vaccine may not be free.
More information
Go to the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website.
For hepatitis B vaccine dosing schedules read the Australian Immunisation Handbook.