Essential Travel Vaccination Guide You Need Before Going Overseas
- June 9, 2025
Planning a trip overseas? Whether you’re off to explore the cobblestone streets of Europe, volunteer in Southeast Asia, or attend a business conference in Africa, it’s important to think beyond your passport and plane ticket, and consider your health.
This guide explains what Australians need to know about travel immunisations, including when to get vaccinated, which vaccines may be recommended, and how to prepare for a travel health appointment.
Why Travel Vaccines Matter
Travelling internationally can expose you to infectious diseases that aren’t common in Australia, some of which can be serious or even life-threatening.
Vaccines help protect against infections such as hepatitis, typhoid, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis — which may be common in certain countries. In some cases, a vaccination is also a legal requirement for entry into particular regions. Being vaccinated can reduce your risk of illness abroad and prevent you from transmitting diseases to others when you return home.
When Should You Get Travel Vaccinations?
Plan ahead. Most travel vaccines need to be given at least 6 to 8 weeks before your departure. Some vaccines require multiple doses spaced out over several weeks, while others may need time to take full effect.
It’s best to book an appointment with your GP or a travel health clinic as soon as you know your travel dates.
What Vaccines Might You Need?
The vaccines you may need depend on a variety of factors, including your destination, the length and nature of your stay, your age and health status, and your immunisation history. Your GP will consider whether you are travelling to urban or rural areas, participating in high-risk activities, or likely to have close contact with local populations.
The vaccines recommended for your trip will depend on a range of factors, including:
- Your destination – Certain countries have specific vaccination requirements or risks.
- Length and style of travel – Backpacking through rural areas? Staying in luxury resorts? It all makes a difference.
- Your age and general health – Some conditions or life stages (such as pregnancy) affect what vaccines you can safely receive.
- Your previous immunisation history – You may need boosters for vaccines you’ve already had.
Common Travel Vaccines Include:
| Disease | Vaccine |
| Hepatitis A & B | Combined or individual shots |
| Typhoid | Injection or oral capsules |
| Yellow Fever | Required for entry into some countries |
| Rabies | Recommended for long stays or high-risk areas |
| Japanese Encephalitis | For travel to rural Asia or the Pacific |
| Cholera | Recommended in certain outbreak zones |
| Meningococcal | May be required for Hajj pilgrimage |
| Tetanus, Diphtheria, Whooping Cough | Booster if it’s been over 10 years |
Your GP can also advise if you need a polio booster, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), or influenza vaccination depending on your age, location, and season of travel.
How to Check Your Vaccination Record
To know which vaccines you’ve already had, check the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). You can:
- Log in via myGov
- Use the Express Plus Medicare app
- Request a statement by calling 1800 653 809
Bringing your immunisation history to your travel health appointment helps your GP determine whether you need boosters or additional vaccines.
Do You Need a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate?
Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry, particularly in parts of Africa and South America require an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), commonly called the Yellow Card, to prove you’ve been vaccinated against yellow fever.
If you’re travelling to, or transiting through, countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission, you may be asked to present this certificate upon arrival. Only accredited yellow fever vaccination centres in Australia can administer the vaccine and issue the ICVP. You should receive the vaccine at least 10 days before travel for the certificate to be valid.
Not all clinics can issue this certificate. If you need a yellow fever vaccine, make sure to visit a Yellow Fever Accredited Vaccination Centre. Check with your GP or the Department of Health to locate one near you.
The Village GP Black Rock is a certified Victorian Yellow Fever Accredited Vaccination Centre, authorised to provide the vaccine and issue the official ICVP certificate. Book your travel medicine consultation with us to ensure you meet all vaccination requirements and travel safely.
Are Travel Vaccines Covered by Medicare?
In most cases, travel vaccines are not covered by Medicare or the National Immunisation Program (NIP). You will usually need to:
- Obtain a script from your GP
- Purchase the vaccine from a pharmacy
- Return to the clinic to have it administered
Some travel clinics offer in-house vaccinations. Costs vary depending on the vaccine, the number of doses required, and whether consultation or administration fees apply.
What to Bring to Your Travel Health Appointment
To make the most of your travel health consultation, come prepared with:
- A copy of your travel itinerary, including all countries and stopovers
- Your immunisation history (or access to your AIR record)
- A list of any medications or health conditions
- Any concerns about your destination (e.g., food safety, altitude, insect bites)
Your GP may also provide prescriptions for medications to prevent malaria, traveller’s diarrhoea, or altitude sickness depending on your destination.
Additional Health Considerations When Travelling
In addition to vaccinations, travel health advice may include:
- Preventing mosquito-borne illnesses (e.g. dengue, malaria)
- Safe food and water practices
- Access to clean drinking water
- First-aid and medication kits
- Managing chronic health conditions while abroad
- Travel insurance that covers overseas medical expenses
For destination-specific advice, consult resources such as Smartraveller or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Travellers’ Health.
Book Your Travel Vaccination Appointment Early
If you’re planning to head overseas, we recommend booking your travel medicine appointment at least six to eight weeks before your departure. This gives us time to assess your individual health needs, order any required vaccines, and administer them at the correct intervals. A timely consultation can help prevent serious illness and give you confidence as you prepare to travel.
At The Village GP Black Rock, we proudly support our local Bayside community including Black Rock, Sandringham, Beaumaris, Hampton, Cheltenham, Mentone, and Brighton with personalised travel health consultation and vaccination services. Whether you’re travelling for work, leisure, or a family holiday, we provide expert travel advice, prescribe essential medications, and administer recommended vaccines so you’re protected before you go.
To book your travel medicine consultation, visit our website or call our friendly team today. We’re here to help you travel well and return home safely.
Further Reading and References:
- Australian Government Department of Health – Travel Immunisation
- Smartraveller
- World Health Organization – International Travel and Health
- CDC Travellers’ Health
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