Travel vaccinations for Australia: requirements, advice and working holidays

No vaccination is required for travel from Germany directly to Australia. The German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) recommends hepatitis A vaccination for all travellers and up-to-date routine vaccinations under the STIKO schedule, Germany’s national immunisation guidance, with particular attention to measles. For long stays or particular exposure, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis and dengue may be added, depending on where you are going. Malaria is not an issue, but mosquito protection matters because of dengue, Ross River fever and Japanese encephalitis.

Entry rules: when proof of yellow fever vaccination is needed

Australia itself is not a yellow fever area. According to the Federal Foreign Office, however, everyone aged one year or over must show proof of yellow fever vaccination if they arrive from a yellow fever area or spent more than 12 hours in transit in one. Arrivals from the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador are exempt. This mainly affects round-the-world travellers who have previously been in South America or Africa. Read more in our guide to yellow fever vaccination.

Recommended vaccinations by type of trip

Australia has a good healthcare system. Which vaccinations make sense depends mainly on the region, the season and how long you stay. The overview table on this page shows the recommendations, and the breakdown below helps you prepare.

For all travellers

Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and drinking water, and the Federal Foreign Office recommends it as a travel vaccination for Australia. Also check your routine vaccinations such as tetanus, diphtheria and measles. What STIKO recommends for adults is explained in our guide to routine vaccinations for adults.

For long stays or particular exposure

For longer stays or particular exposure, the Federal Foreign Office lists hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis and dengue. Japanese encephalitis is a risk on the Torres Strait Islands and, since 2022, also in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. The Federal Foreign Office recommends vaccination if you plan a longer stay in these areas during the transmission season. Dengue occurs mainly in Far North Queensland and on the Torres Strait Islands. According to the Federal Foreign Office, the dengue vaccine available in Europe is not authorised and cannot be obtained in Australia, so the decision has to be made before you leave. STIKO currently recommends it only for people aged four and over who have had a laboratory-confirmed dengue infection in the past.

Vaccinations against meningococcal ACWY and B are part of Australia’s standard immunisation programme and may be required for attending a school or university, so check with the institution. For an initial assessment of your trip, try the travel vaccine check.

Mosquitoes: dengue, Ross River fever and Japanese encephalitis

The Federal Foreign Office reports no malaria risk for Australia, and Australia is not listed as a malaria area in the 2026 DTG country table. Other mosquito-borne diseases are relevant, however:

• Dengue is mainly transmitted in the north from December to June, by mosquitoes that bite during the day and at dusk.
• Ross River fever is the most common mosquito-borne disease in Australia. It can be transmitted nationwide, particularly in the tropical parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. There is no vaccine, and typical symptoms are fever and joint pain that can last for months.
• Japanese encephalitis is transmitted by mosquitoes that are active at dusk and at night.

Protect yourself against mosquito bites around the clock with repellent, long clothing and a mosquito net at night. Tips are in our guide to dengue and mosquito protection.

The sea, wildlife and other risks

From October to June, dangerous box jellyfish occur on shallow sandy beaches along the northern coast between Broome and Gladstone, and other venomous jellyfish are found on the northern and eastern coasts. Only swim where it is permitted and follow warning signs. Snakes, spiders, crocodiles and sharks can also play a part, so follow local advice and seek medical help promptly after a bite or sting.

Further points from the Federal Foreign Office:

• Melioidosis: this bacterial disease occurs in northern Australia and is mainly transmitted through skin injuries and contact with soil. Clean and disinfect wounds carefully and keep them covered, and mention your stay to a doctor if you develop symptoms later.
• Leptospirosis: it occurs mainly from December to June in Queensland and Victoria. Avoid contact with standing water.
• Mpox: it is mainly spread through close physical contact. Men who have sex with men should seek advice on vaccination before travelling.

Medical care and medicines

According to the Federal Foreign Office, the Australian healthcare system is good. There can be waiting times even in emergencies, though, and private clinics generally have no emergency department. The Federal Foreign Office recommends travel health insurance with repatriation cover for the entire stay.

Clear rules apply to medicines you bring: they must be declared on arrival and carried in your accompanying luggage in their original packaging, and you need a prescription from your doctor in English. Without a special permit, no more than a three-month supply is allowed. Protect your travel health kit from high temperatures on the road, for example in a campervan.

When to book your consultation

According to STIKO and the DTG, travel vaccinations should be completed at least two weeks before departure. For a working holiday, studies or a long road trip, book well in advance, as some vaccinations require several appointments. Our guide to the travel vaccination timeline shows how to plan backwards from your departure date. If you are travelling via South East Asia, for example with a stopover in Indonesia, include that leg in your consultation. You can find a practice with a travel medicine focus in our directory of travel clinics.