Lack of pregnancy care for international students in Australia may lead to ‘reluctant abortions’, inquiry told

Advocates say people on student visas, who are initially ineligible for reproductive healthcare, risk dropping out if they fall pregnant

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International students are being denied pregnancy care, leading to them dropping out of university, having “reluctant abortions”, and or undertaking sex work to pay for antenatal care, advocates say.

Those on student visas are not eligible for Medicare and instead must take out overseas student health cover (OSHC). The terms of that cover – agreed via a deed between the federal government and insurers – exclude any pregnancy care for the first year.