Pregnancy & the Visa Health Exam: What to Know

Do Pregnant Women Need a Visa Health Examination?

Yes, pregnant women still need to undertake the visa health examination. However, the DHA has special flexible arrangements for pregnant women concerning the chest X-ray — the item that can raise concerns about radiation safety during pregnancy.

The basic principle: pregnant women are permitted to defer the chest X-ray until after the baby is born. The remaining items of the health examination, including the general examination and blood tests, are usually carried out as normal during pregnancy.

Why Is the Chest X-Ray Deferred?

A chest X-ray involves ionising radiation. Although the radiation dose from a single chest X-ray is very low and the abdomen is shielded with a lead apron, the DHA still applies a deferral policy in order to:

• Eliminate any potential risk to the foetus, however small.
• Ensure compliance with best medical practice in a non-urgent situation.
• Put the safety of mother and child first.

The panel physician records the pregnancy and marks the X-ray as “deferred” in the eMedical system. The DHA records this and allows the application to progress without the X-ray until after the birth.

When to Have the X-Ray After Birth

After giving birth, you need to arrange the chest X-ray as soon as possible. The DHA usually requires the post-birth X-ray to be completed so that the health record can be reviewed and finalised.

Notes on timing:

• It is best to book the X-ray once your post-birth health is stable, usually 4–6 weeks after birth.
• If you are breastfeeding, a chest X-ray can still be done safely, as the radiation does not affect breast milk.
• Tell the panel physician that this is an additional X-ray after a deferral from pregnancy, so they can link it correctly to your eMedical record using your existing HAP ID.

Blood Tests During Pregnancy

Unlike the X-ray, blood tests are usually still required during pregnancy. These include:

• The HIV test (required for people aged 15 years and over applying for a visa of 12 months or longer).
• Tuberculosis testing if required.
• Other basic haematology tests.

These tests are safe during pregnancy and there is no medical reason to defer them. The panel physician carries them out as normal and records them in the eMedical system.

Where the Birth Is Late and the DHA Awaits the X-Ray

If the due date is near or has passed while the visa application is being processed, the DHA will usually:

1. Record the deferral of the X-ray in the case.
2. Continue assessing other elements of the application.
3. Wait for the post-birth X-ray before making a final decision on health (for some visa types).

In some special cases, the DHA may grant a temporary or conditional visa while awaiting the post-birth X-ray. You should contact a migration agent or speak with the DHA directly about the specific pathway for your situation.

Health Examination for a Newborn in the Application

If you expect to give birth while your visa application is being processed and your child will be a member of the application, note that a newborn may also need a separate health examination (depending on the visa type). You should notify the DHA of the birth of your child and prepare additional material for the child’s health record.

In short, pregnancy is not a barrier to lodging a visa application, but careful timing planning is needed to avoid affecting the progress of your case.