How to get vaccinated: the ultimate state-by-state guide 

With large numbers of businesses heavily impacted by the Delta strain outbreak of COVID-19, employees and employers are keener than ever to get vaccinated, to look after their health, keep each other safe and get their workplaces back to normal.

However, without one definitive source of truth and multiple websites available, finding a vaccination centre that has availability and navigating the evolving advice around eligibility has been a challenge for many. Here’s a state-by-state guide for businesses and their employees wanting to book an available approved COVID-19 Vaccine.

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine – national resources

Remember that vaccination is an acceptable reason for you and your employees to leave the house for those that are in lockdown.

There are several places where people can get vaccinated, including special vaccination centres, hospitals, community health centres, GPs and community pharmacies. With this range of options available, it can sometimes be a case of shopping around to find a nearby one that has availability.

If you or your employees go to the national Vaccine Eligibility Checker, it’s possible to book directly with nearby providers if you meet the criteria.

HotDoc is also available nationally and has kept up with evolving recommendations. Enter a postcode and find a doctor that is offering the COVID-19 vaccine. If you or your employees want to get a vaccine done through a community pharmacy – which can be particularly handy if you’re in a regional area – try booking directly here.

State-by-state breakdown of where to book

New South Wales

In NSW, Service NSW and other local health authorities will direct people back to the eligibility checker, from where it’s possible to book nearby clinics that have appointments available.

For residents in Sydney, try booking directly with the vaccination hub at Sydney Olympic Park using this link. There are also vaccination centres in Sydney CBD, Belmont Lake Macquarie (inside an old Bunnings), Macquarie Fields and Wollongong. They don’t accept walk-ins, and you can book them through the eligibility checker or directly with the Sydney CBD clinic.

In light of the Sydney outbreak, pop-up vaccination clinics are being held in hotspots to provide approved COVID-19 vaccinations to over 18s. Visit www.facebook.com/SydneyLHD for information on pop-up clinics that are upcoming. Walk-in clinics are also available in high-priority areas of the city.

If you or your employees are finding multiple booking websites confusing, have a look at the website developed¹ by a Sydney software engineer, covidqueue.com, which amalgamates appointments from various websites and ‘dings’ when an appointment comes up.

Meanwhile, try HotDoc for a GP or community pharmacies which are offering available approved COVID-19 vaccinations across the state – use the eligibility tracker or book here.

Victoria

In Victoria a list of these vaccination centres is available here. Some require a booking, while others accept walk-ins – see this list of the ones that do. Melbourne is also home to Australia’s first drive-through hub in Melton², but you do have to book first.

The Victorian government has its own vaccination centre portal for booking. Otherwise, it’s a case of again heading over to the national vaccination eligibility checker or HotDoc.

Queensland

Here’s a list of hubs offering vaccinations – these include hospitals and community-based centres on locations like showgrounds. All require booking in advance.

You can register or book online or go through the federal government’s vaccine eligibility checker.

There’s a new vaccination centre³ open at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre, with bookings directed back to its central site.

Also try HotDoc for a COVID-19 vaccination through a GP.