The short answer

New Tax System (Family Assistance) Amendment (No Jab No Pay Repeal) Bill 2025: What Senator Antic's Bill Would Change for Child Care Subsidy Immunisation Rules

The A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Amendment (No Jab No Pay Repeal) Bill 2025, introduced by Liberal senator Alex Antic, proposes to amend the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999. The bill would allow a child to meet immunisation requirements for the child care subsidy on the basis of a conscientious objection, or simply by reaching seven years of age. As of this review the bill is before the Senate and has not been debated.

This is a federal system guide. State constitutions, parliaments and local-government laws can allocate comparable functions differently.

The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

Evidence review

What the bill proposes to change

The bill amends the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999, the Commonwealth legislation that governs eligibility for the child care subsidy — a means-tested payment that helps families with the cost of approved child care. Under the current law, to receive the child care subsidy a child must meet immunisation requirements set out in the Act. The 'No Jab No Pay' policy, introduced in 2016 and strengthened in 2018, removed conscientious objection as a valid exemption from these requirements.

Senator Antic's bill proposes two changes. First, it would restore conscientious objection as a valid basis for a child to meet immunisation requirements for child care subsidy purposes. Second, it would provide that a child automatically meets the immunisation requirements once they reach seven years of age, regardless of their vaccination status. The bill's official summary states it 'enables a child to meet their immunisation requirements for the purposes of payment of the child care subsidy on the basis of a conscientious objection or if the child is 7 years of age or older.'

Evidence review

The legislation being amended

The A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 is one of the principal Acts governing family payments in Australia. It establishes the legal framework for the child care subsidy, family tax benefit, and related payments. The immunisation requirements sit within the child care subsidy provisions and are linked to the Australian Immunisation Register. The Act is administered by Services Australia under the portfolio of the Minister for Social Services.

It is important to distinguish between this bill and the broader immunisation policy framework. The bill would only affect eligibility for the child care subsidy — it does not amend public health legislation, state-based 'No Jab No Play' laws that govern early childhood education enrolment, or the National Immunisation Program.

Evidence review

Sponsor and parliamentary context

The bill is a private senator's bill, meaning it was introduced by a senator acting in their individual capacity rather than on behalf of the government. Senator Alex Antic is a Liberal senator for South Australia and a member of the party's conservative wing. He introduced the bill in the Senate on 26 November 2025, and the second reading was moved the same day.

As a private senator's bill, it does not have the support of the government — meaning its prospect of passing without government backing is limited. The bill is currently listed as 'Before Senate' and has not proceeded to debate. The 48th Parliament, in which the bill was introduced, commenced in July 2022.

Evidence review

What the bill does not change

Readers should note several things the bill does not do. It does not abolish the child care subsidy immunisation requirements entirely — it creates two new exemptions rather than removing the requirement. It does not affect family tax benefit eligibility, which has its own separate immunisation-linked provisions in the same Act. It does not change state and territory laws on early childhood enrolment. And it does not alter the Australian Immunisation Register or the schedule of recommended vaccines.

The bill is also sometimes described in public discussion as a 'No Jab No Pay repeal', but that characterisation is not accurate: the bill targets one specific aspect of the policy — the removal of conscientious objection — and only for the child care subsidy, not for family tax benefit.

Evidence review

What happens next

The bill has been introduced and read a first time, and the second reading has been moved. For the bill to progress, the Senate must debate and agree to the second reading, after which it may be referred to a committee or proceed to consideration in detail and third reading. If passed by the Senate, it would then be transmitted to the House of Representatives. If passed by both houses, it would be presented to the Governor-General for Royal Assent. A bill that has been introduced is not law — it is a proposal that Parliament may or may not enact.

Common questions

Before you rely on the answer

What is the current 'No Jab No Pay' policy?

No Jab No Pay is the commonly used name for the policy, introduced in 2016 and strengthened in 2018, that links eligibility for the child care subsidy and the family tax benefit Part A supplement to a child meeting immunisation requirements. Conscientious objection was removed as a valid exemption in 2016, and the only remaining exemptions are medical contraindication or participation in a recognised catch-up schedule.

Would this bill remove all immunisation requirements for the child care subsidy?

No. The bill would add two new ways for a child to meet the requirements — conscientious objection or reaching age seven — but would not abolish the requirement itself. Children under seven whose parents do not register a conscientious objection would still need to meet immunisation requirements to receive the subsidy.

Who is Senator Alex Antic?

Senator Alex Antic is a Liberal Party senator for South Australia, first elected in 2019. He sits on the conservative wing of the Liberal Party and has previously introduced private bills on topics including COVID-19 vaccine mandates and electoral reform. This bill is consistent with his stated view that parents should have greater choice regarding childhood immunisation.

Has this bill become law?

No. As of July 2026 the bill is before the Senate. It has had its first reading and the second reading has been moved, but it has not been debated or voted on. As a private senator's bill without government support, it faces significant procedural hurdles to passage.

Source spine

Primary material used for this guide

Review trigger: Bill progresses to second reading debate, is amended, passed by either house, or lapses at end of Parliament.

Archive note: This article reviews the bill as introduced on 26 November 2025. The bill had not been debated in the Senate as of the review date. Check the Parliament of Australia Bills page for current status. The article does not take a position on childhood immunisation policy.

Primary links are provided without affiliate or tracking parameters. Confirm that the source still applies to the bill, sitting date, jurisdiction or reporting period before relying on it.