Vaccination for non-Medicare card holders
Page last updated 9am 1 December 2022.
On this page:
- Vaccination support for non-Medicare card holders in general practice
- Where to access a COVID-19 vaccine for non-Medicare card holders
- Booking a COVID-19 vaccination appointment
- Recording a COVID-19 vaccination on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) for non-Medicare card holders
- Proof of vaccination for non-Medicare card holders
COVID-19 vaccines are free and available for everyone aged 5 years and over in Australia, regardless of Medicare or visa status. This includes:
- refugees
- asylum seekers
- temporary protection visa holders
- people on bridging visas
- overseas visitors
- international students
- migrant workers
- people who are not Australian citizens
- people who are not permanent residents
- people who are living in Australia on a visa
- those whose visas have been cancelled or who have overstayed their visas
- those who are eligible for, but do not have a Medicare card (e.g. some people experiencing homelessness).
Non-Medicare card holders should bring some identification when they get their COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccination support for non-Medicare holders in general practice
Everyone is encouraged to discuss any questions or concerns about vaccine safety or suitability with their usual GP.
If patients are not eligible for Medicare, general practice providers can still supply COVID-19 vaccines to these patients, but cannot bill for this service (Medicare or otherwise).
Where to access a COVID-19 vaccine for non-Medicare card holders
Individuals who do not have a Medicare card, or are not eligible for Medicare, are encouraged to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations for free at:
- Brisbane South has one Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics (CVC) situated in Slacks Creek. Bookings can be made online or via the phone;
- Community pharmacies that are administering COVID-19 vaccines.
All COVID-19 vaccination providers are listed together on the vaccination clinic finder, which will filter to only show options for people without a Medicare card when that option is selected.
Please note, the vaccination clinic finder asks users to choose which vaccine they prefer.
Booking a COVID-19 vaccination appointment
Bookings can be made directly with the Commonwealth Vaccination Clinic or pharmacy; the Vaccine Clinic Finder will link through to booking options.
Most pharmacies will also likely make bookings for walk-ins, which is a good option for people who don’t feel comfortable using online methods.
The National Coronavirus Helpline can assist people to locate a vaccine clinic and provide them with contact information to make a booking with the support of an interpreter. Call 1800 020 080 and press 8 for free interpreting.
Brisbane South and Gold Coast PHNs have partnered with Griffith University Health and Medical Service to administer COVID-19 vaccines to international students and other non-Medicare card holders. To make a booking, patients can call 07 3735 7299 or book online.
Recording a COVID-19 vaccine on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) for non-Medicare card holders
Vaccination providers must record COVID-19 vaccinations administered to all individuals, including those without a Medicare card. Further information on how to do this can be found on the Services Australia website.
If a vaccination provider is unable to use their software to record the vaccination, it can be manually entered using the AIR Secure Site. The AIR Secure Site can record new patients, including those without a Medicare number.
Health professionals should add as much detail as possible to these records to allow for future matching including:
- first and last names (if known)
- address
- date of birth
- postcode.
These individuals will be recorded on the AIR and given a supplementary identification number (SIN). This record can be used to record future immunisations, or until the individual has completed a Medicare registration.
Proof of Vaccination for non-Medicare card holders
The easiest way for individuals without a Medicare card to get proof of vaccination is by asking a vaccination provider to print a copy of their immunisation history statement on their behalf.
More options and information can be found on the Services Australia website.