Last Updated: 26/05/2026
Puppy Vaccinations Schedule: When & What in Australia
Give your puppy the best start in life. Learn all about what vaccinations they will need.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 12 minutes - short read
Every year, countless puppies are at risk of contracting serious and potentially fatal diseases present in their environment. Without timely intervention, these diseases can wreak havoc on a puppy's health, leading to prolonged suffering and even untimely death.
By understanding and adhering to a comprehensive puppy vaccination schedule, you can arm your furry friend with the defense they need against these threats, ensuring they lead a healthy, long life by your side. Dive into our guide to safeguard your pup's future.
For info about puppy desexing, diets, worming, and more, check out Dr. Teagan's Complete New Puppy Guide. Don't forget, our Vet Squad are ready to help with any questions you have!
In this article
When does my puppy need their vaccinations?
The standard Australian puppy vaccination schedule, as set out by the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) and aligned with WSAVA global guidelines, is three rounds of core vaccinations across the first 16 weeks of life.
6-8 weeks
First C3: Distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus
10-12 weeks
Second C3 (optional C5 add-on): Same core diseases, plus kennel cough and parainfluenza if C5
14-16 weeks
Final C3 (optional C5 add-on): Same coverage, final booster
12-15 months
First annual booster: Maintains immunity
After this, your dog will require regular immunisations for life. Depending on which brand your vet uses, they may give your dog a C5 injection every year, or they may choose to give the C3 component every 3 years and the kennel cough vaccination yearly.
The first vaccination is usually given by the breeder or shelter before your puppy comes home. Once they're with you, the second is due around 10 to 12 weeks of age, and the final puppy vaccination at 14 to 16 weeks. Full immunity is reached approximately 1 to 2 weeks after that final shot.
The reason for the three-dose schedule is something called maternal antibody interference. Puppies are born with temporary immunity passed on from their mum's milk, and that protection slowly fades over the first few months. The trouble is, while those antibodies are still in your puppy's system, they can block the vaccine from working properly. Vets give a series of doses spaced a few weeks apart to make sure at least one of them lands after the maternal antibodies have dropped off, so your puppy builds their own protection.
What is a C3 vaccination, and do I need a C5?
Puppy vaccinations can be broken down into 'Core Vaccines' and 'Non-Core Vaccines'. There are a couple of of other vaccines that your dog may receive in specific circumstances depending on their lifestyle and location.
1. Core Vaccines
Core vaccines are required for all dogs and puppies, regardless of location and lifestyle. They include:
- Parvovirus - a highly contagious and often deadly virus that causes vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, fever, and extreme dehydration. Puppies under 4 months are particularly vulnerable and often do not survive.
- Canine Distemper Virus - this virus attacks the respiratory, gatrointestinal and neurological system, causing discharges from the eyes and nose, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, paralysis, and often death.
- Adenovirus (canine hepatitis) - a contagious virus that infects the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and eyes. Symptoms are varied but can include fever, vomiting, jaundice, abdominal swelling and pain around the liver.
The core vaccines make up the 'C3' vaccination and are required to be given at the first vaccine, when the puppy is aged 6-8 weeks.
2. Non-Core Vaccines
Non-core vaccines are included in the 'C5' vaccination. The C5 vaccination includes the 'C3' core vaccines listed above, as well as the two extra non-core vaccines listed below. The C5 vaccine is given at 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age. Non-core vaccines are:
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- Parainfluenza virus
'Kennel cough' (or 'infectious tracheobronchitis') is caused by the above two infectious agents. Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease that affects the respiratory system of dogs. It causes inflammation of the upper airways and causes bouts of harsh, dry coughing. It can sometimes cause gagging and vomiting, along with loss of appetite. It is most commonly transmitted in dog parks, boarding kennels, grooming salons, and day care facilities.
3. Other vaccines
There are a number of other vaccines that your pup may require depending on your location and lifestyle, including leptospirosis and rabies.
Do dogs in Australia need a leptospirosis vaccine? Leptospirosis may be a risk for dogs that visit high-risk leptospirosis areas and have access to stagnant bodies of water, or have contact with livestock or rodents. High-risk leptospirosis areas include parts of Sydney, Newcastle, South Coast, and surrounding areas. Talk to your vet to find out if your dog requires a leptospirosis vaccine.
Do dogs in Australia need a rabies vaccine? The rabies vaccine is generally only given if your dog is travelling overseas to a country that requires this. Australia is a rabies-free country, which means that dogs remaining in Australia do not require a rabies vaccine. If you are travelling overseas with your dog, speak to your vet about what vaccinations are required.
How much do puppy vaccinations cost in Australia?
This is one of the most-asked questions, and the honest answer is: it varies. Cost depends on your state, the clinic, whether you go C3 or C5, and whether the consult fee is bundled with the vaccination or charged separately.
Individual vaccinations usually cost between $70 and $150 each at a standard clinic, with additional non-core vaccinations such as leptospirosis costing more. It's important to note that pet insurance generally doesn't cover routine vaccinations. Most insurance policies treat vaccinations, microchipping, desexing, and worming as preventative care, which sits outside standard policies. Some premium plans do cover routine care, but they're an extra cost. Check the product disclosure statement before assuming you're covered.
When can my puppy safely go outside?
As hard as it may be, your puppy shouldn't be taken out to new places for 10-14 days after they completed their last vaccination at 16 weeks. Remember that vaccines take 1-2 weeks after the final injection to fully protect your pet.
Learn more in our guide to When Can Puppies Go for a Walk Outside?
Socialisation is extremely important for puppies, particularly between the ages of 8-16 weeks. However, this period is smack-bang in the middle of their vaccination schedule, which means they aren't fully immunised and ideally shouldn't be going out in public or being exposed to potential infectious diseases. So how can you ensure your puppy is socialised without putting them at risk?
Practical ways to socialise safely before full vaccination:
- Carry your puppy. Take them to cafes, beaches, train stations, and shopping strips in your arms or a pet sling. They get exposure to sounds, smells, people, and other animals without the risk.
- Drive them places. Sit in the car at a busy intersection or outside a school at pick-up time. Watching the world is exposure.
- Visit friends with fully vaccinated, healthy adult dogs. Controlled introductions in your backyard or theirs are safe and valuable (as long as no unvaccinated dogs have been there recently).
- Enrol in a reputable puppy school. Good puppy schools require all attendees to have had at least their first vaccination and a recent health check, and they happen in clean indoor environments. Most Australian vet clinics run them.
- Avoid high-risk areas. Dog parks, off-lead beaches, and patches of grass where many dogs urinate are best avoided until the course is finished.
For a deeper walkthrough of how to use the socialisation window properly, read our guide to the Importance of Socialisation.
What happens if I miss a vaccination?
The schedule above isn't strict to the day, but the spacing between doses does matter.
The gap between vaccinations needs to be at least 2 weeks, and usually no more than 4 weeks, to let the immune system respond properly to each dose. If you're a few days late, your vet will usually continue the schedule from where you left off. If you're significantly delayed (more than 4 to 6 weeks between doses), your vet may recommend an additional shot to make sure protection is solid.
If your puppy missed their first vaccination entirely (for example, if they came from a private seller who didn't vaccinate), your vet will start the course fresh at whatever age they are now. Older puppies starting their schedule late typically need two doses spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart rather than three.
If you've moved, changed vets, or aren't sure where you're up to, ask for your puppy's vaccination card or records and bring them to the new clinic. Vets won't guess at the schedule, they'll work from documentation.
Are there side effects to puppy vaccinations?
The vast majority of puppies have no reaction beyond being a bit sleepy and quiet for 12 to 24 hours after their shots. Some are mildly off their food for a meal or two, or develop a small tender lump at the injection site that resolves within a few days. All of this is normal and not a cause for concern.
Less common but still possible reactions include mild fever, slight diarrhoea, or being more clingy than usual for a day. Again, these usually pass without intervention.
Serious reactions are rare but do happen. Call your vet immediately if your puppy shows:
- Facial swelling, particularly around the eyes, muzzle, or ears
- Hives or welts across the body
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Collapse or extreme lethargy
- Pale gums
These can be signs of an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis is the worst-case version) and need immediate veterinary attention. They typically appear within minutes to hours of the vaccination.
If your puppy has had a reaction to a previous vaccination, tell your vet before the next one. They can pre-medicate with antihistamines, split the vaccinations across separate visits, or adjust the protocol to reduce risk.
Annual health checks and boosters
Once your dog is an adult, they will require an annual health check and booster (of some variety) every year. Health checks are very important as your vet may be able to detect underlying conditions before they start showing signs.
Important things that your vet will check each year include your dog's teeth, heart, ears, skin, respiration, body condition, temperature, as well as their neurological and musculoskeletal systems. They will also be happy to discuss diet, flea and worming, training and behaviour with you.
Yearly vs 3-Yearly Dog Vaccines?
When your dog has entered adulthood, your vet may recommend one of the following regimes:
1. A C5 vaccine given every year, OR
2. A C3 vaccine given every 3 years, combined with the kennel cough vaccine given yearly.
Research conducted into the immune systems of our pets and the risks and benefits of vaccination demonstrated that antibodies from the 'Core' C3 vaccines tend to last 3 years, whereas the 'Non-Core' kennel cough antibodies last 1 year. Thus, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) recommend the use of a three year schedule.1
However, because the yearly C5 injection does no harm, your veterinarian may choose to deliver this to ensure no boosters are missed.
FAQ
As complicated as the vaccination schedule may appear, remember that your vet is there and will be happy to guide you every step of the way. By completing your puppy's full vaccination schedule, you can give your fur baby their best chance at leading a healthy, long, and happy life by your side.
If you have any questions about your puppy's vaccination schedule, our Vet Squad are here and ready to help with any questions you may have!
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue 26 May 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
