Local News

Remember – No Jab means No Pay

Melissa Price –
Federal Member for Durack

As the new school year begins, Federal Member for Durack and Minister for the Environment Melissa Price reminds families in the Durack electorate to make sure their children’s vaccinations are up to date – whether they are school age or younger.

Parents should ensure their children are fully vaccinated so they are protected against infectious diseases.

Not fully vaccinating means that families will lose part of their fortnightly Family Tax Benefit payment.

Family Tax Benefit Part A payments are reduced by approximately $28 a fortnight for each child who does not meet the immunisation requirements, under the current No Jab, No Pay policy. Since the policy started on 1 July 2018, on average, more than 500 children a day who did not meet immunisation requirements, have taken action to meet these requirements.

Minister Price said the change to No Jab, No Pay provides a constant reminder for parents to keep their children’s immunisation up to date. “Immunisation is the safest way to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases,” she said.

“Parents who don’t immunise their children put them at risk – as well as the children of other people.”

Almost 250,000 children and their families have taken action to ensure they meet the immunisation requirements since the Government introduced the No Jab, No Pay policy in 2016.

The Government provided more than $14 million in the 2017-18 Budget for free catch-up vaccinations for children, young adults and newly-arrived refugees.

It also provided $5.5 million over three years to encourage Australian parents and carers to vaccinate their children. Exemptions still apply for children who have medical contraindications or natural immunity and have been assessed by a general practitioner.

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