The Department of Social Services’ No Jab, No Pay policy for encouraging families to immunise their children has been “extremely successful”, according to the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Anne Ruston.
Senator Ruston said almost 500 children were being immunised every day.
She said that last year families of about 350,000 children were notified that they did not meet the immunisation requirements for Family Tax Benefit Part A and were at risk of having their fortnightly payment reduced by up to $29 a fortnight.
“The notifications led to almost 174,000 children being fully immunised by 28 June — No Jab, No Pay had been extremely successful,” Senator Ruston said.
“We want parents to have confidence their children can attend child care or school without fearing they will be at risk of contracting a serious or potentially life-threatening illness.”
She said the results showed that the decision to tighten the rules around the No Jab, No Pay initiative from 1 July 2018, created a more immediate link between the immunisation schedule and payment reductions.
“It has acted as a powerful driver for families to make sure their children’s vaccinations are fully up to date,” Senator Ruston said.
“Families who do not meet the immunisation requirements for their child are notified and placed on a 63-day grace period. If they fail to immunise their child within the grace period their Family Tax Benefits are reduced,” she said.
