THE government has announced its plan to close a loophole allowing parents objecting to having their kids vaccinated go unpunished, but one group still remains exempt.

While the government’s ‘no jab, no pay’ policy will cost parents who object to immunisations up to $15,000 in taxpayer funded payments, families can still be exempted on religious grounds.

Speaking on Today this morning, Social Services Minister Scott Morrison said there was only one religious group with a formally registered objection recognised by the Federal Government.

Mr Morrison said the group concerned was a very minor religion, and he would be surprised if the exemption affected even 1000 Australians.

“It’s a very narrow exemption, there is only one registered religion that is currently registered for that exemption so it doesn’t apply to any mainstream religions at all.

The minister refused to name the organisation, refusing to give it publicity and advertise to objectors.

“I’m not about to encourage people to line up with it just to get another crack at an exemption,” he said.

The Minister put the group on notice, saying if the loophole was to be abused it would be shut down.

“A religion has to formally register its objection and that has to be accepted by the government,” Mr Morrison explained on 2GB radio this morning.

“That’s an area that hasn’t been subject to any growth. If the religious objection was abused in that way I’d look to shut that down as well.”

Though the policy has bipartisan support and has been welcomed by doctors, but the decision to keep religious exemptions has already attracted criticism.

Executive Director of The Parenthood, Jo Briskey — a grassroots organisation running a campaign to make vaccination compulsory — said the move was good, but more was needed.

“This is the right step but in terms of the religious objection ... I cannot comprehend those who deny child access to vaccines,” Ms Briskey said.

The “no jab, no pay” policy could affect families of up to 39,000 children under seven who have not been vaccinated.

The number of “conscientious objectors” has more than doubled past decade as the number of children unvaccinated has increased by 15,000.

Doctors are backing the plan to strip childcare and welfare benefits from parents who refuse to vaccinate their kids.

The Australian Medical Association supports the federal government’s policy, which could cost parents who object to immunisations up to $15,000 in taxpayer funded payments.

Children can still be exempted on medical and religious grounds, but the “contentious objection” exemption will be removed on January 1, 2016.

The AMA says its important to encourage vaccinations because it’s one of the most effective public health measures available.

But AMA President Brian Owler is concerned the policy won’t catch everyone and fears some children could be punished for their parents’ decisions.