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Vaccination schedule / Australia

Puppy vaccination schedule in Australia

Australian vets work from the Australian Veterinary Association policy and WSAVA. The core is C3: distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus. Most clinics give it as C5, which adds the two canine cough components. Australia is rabies free, so no rabies shot.

Get the dates for your puppy

The typical schedule: C3 core, usually given as C5

DoseTypical ageVaccinesTypeNotes
First puppy vaccination 6 to 8 weeks C3 or C5 Core AVA: core vaccines are given from 6 to 8 weeks of age. Most puppies get this dose from the breeder before you collect them, so ask for it in writing.
Second puppy vaccination 10 to 12 weeks C3 or C5 Core AVA: doses continue every 2 to 4 weeks. The 10 to 12 week age is the arithmetic of that interval rather than a separately published age.
Final puppy vaccination 16 weeks C3 or C5 Core AVA: the final dose should be not earlier than 16 weeks. Australian data found the highest risk of parvovirus vaccination failure in puppies whose last dose came before 16 weeks. Some product labels allow a 10 week finish, the AVA still advises 16.
First adult booster 6 to 12 months C3 or C5 Core Traditionally given at about 12 months. The AVA now says it may be given from 6 months following WSAVA, and RSPCA Australia recommends 6 months. Either is defensible, your vet will pick one.
Canine cough, the C5 add on 6 to 8 weeks Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza Non core Bundled into C5 and given with the core doses. WSAVA classes both components as non core, but boarding kennels, day care and puppy school almost always require it. Needs annual revaccination, unlike the core.
Leptospirosis, first dose 8 weeks Leptospira Non core Non core in Australia per the AVA. RSPCA Australia recommends it for dogs in at risk areas, with access to stagnant water, or in contact with livestock or rodents. Age from the WSAVA table, from about 8 weeks. Ask your vet whether your suburb counts.
Leptospirosis, second dose 10 to 12 weeks Leptospira Non core Two to four weeks after the first dose. Killed vaccines need two doses to immunise, then annual boosters.

This is general guidance, your vet sets the actual schedule. Local disease risk, the products your clinic stocks and your puppy’s own history all change the plan. Take this page to your vet as a starting point, not as an instruction.

Common questions

What is the difference between C3 and C5 in Australia?

C3 is the core vaccine: distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus. C5 is C3 plus canine parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica, the two canine cough components. Most Australian clinics default to C5 because kennels, day care and puppy school ask for it. The C3 part gives years of protection, the C5 additions need annual boosting.

Do dogs in Australia need a rabies vaccination?

No. Australia is rabies free, and rabies vaccines are not licensed for pre exposure use in Australia. It is only relevant if you are exporting a dog overseas, which is handled separately through the federal export process.

Other countries

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Sources

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. If a date here does not match what your clinic tells you, your clinic is right.