Australian Anti-Vaxx Parents Fined $56 Each Month Per Child

The Australian federal government has launched its expanded “No Jab, No Pay’ policy effective July 1, 2018.

This new law reduces welfare payments by $56 per month for certain parents whose children do not meet immunization requirements.

Children with certain medical issues or natural immunity are exempt from this new policy.

“The change to No Jab, No Pay provides a constant reminder for parents to keep their children’s immunization up to date. Immunization is the safest way to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases,’ said Hon. Dan Tehan MP, Member for Wannon in Victoria, said in a statement. 

“Parents who don’t immunize their children are putting their own kids at risk as well as the children of other people,” said Tehan.

Since the Turnbull Government in Australia introduced No Jab, No Pay in 2016 about 246,000 children and their families have taken action to ensure they meet the immunization requirements.

The Government provided more than $14 million in last year’s 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.

Additionally, the Government announced a new policy under which children whose vaccinations are not up to date, must stay home from public preschools or childcare centers if there is an outbreak of illness.

Parents with children who are enrolled in government preschools, occasional care, family day care, or respite services will be asked to provide evidence of their child’s immunization status.

Only parents of children less than 20 years of age, who are fully immunized or are on a recognized catch-up schedule, can receive the Child Care Benefit, the Child Care Rebate and the Family Tax Benefit Part A end of year supplement.