High Commission of India in Canberra

Embassy of India in Canberra, Australia

EmbassyIndiaCanberraAustralia

Overview

The High Commission of India in Canberra serves as India's principal diplomatic mission in Australia, located at Moonah Place in the diplomatic suburb of Yarralumla, home to most foreign embassies in Australia's capital. The High Commission provides consular services to Indian nationals throughout the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), processes visa applications for Australian residents traveling to India, and facilitates bilateral relations between India and Australia in areas including strategic partnership, defense and security cooperation, trade and investment, education, scientific research, energy and resources, technology collaboration, and people-to-people ties. India and Australia share a comprehensive strategic partnership based on shared democratic values, Indo-Pacific security interests, economic complementarity, robust people-to-people links, and cooperation in multilateral forums including the Quad (along with United States and Japan) and Commonwealth. The relationship has strengthened significantly covering defense cooperation (including joint exercises and defense technology cooperation), counterterrorism, trade and investment (working toward comprehensive free trade agreement), critical minerals and clean energy, education (Australia is major destination for Indian students), research collaboration, sports (cricket diplomacy), and diaspora engagement. Australia is home to approximately 800,000 people of Indian origin (including Indian-born Australians and Australian-born persons of Indian heritage), one of the fastest-growing and increasingly influential communities, making significant contributions to Australian society, economy, healthcare, education, technology, business, and culture. The Indian diaspora includes highly skilled professionals, students (India is largest source of international students for Australia), entrepreneurs, medical professionals, IT specialists, engineers, academics, and multi-generational families. Major concentrations exist in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra.
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Visa Services

Australian citizens require a visa to enter India for all purposes including tourism, business, medical treatment, conferences, and family visits. India offers several visa categories through its e-Visa system (electronic visa) and traditional visa application process. The e-Visa is available for Australian citizens for tourism, business, medical treatment, medical attendant, and conference purposes, allowing travelers to apply online without visiting the High Commission or consulates. E-Visas are processed electronically and typically approved within 2-4 business days for most applicants. Traditional visa applications for longer stays, work, study, research, journalism, employment, or other special purposes require submission through VFS Global application centers or authorized visa service providers. The High Commission and Consulates General (in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane) process visa applications submitted through VFS Global centers located in major Australian cities. Australian travelers should visit the High Commission website, consulate websites, or VFS Global website for current visa requirements, fees, appointment booking, and application procedures. Required documentation typically includes passport with minimum 6 months validity, photographs meeting Indian visa specifications, travel itinerary, proof of financial means, and purpose-specific documents. Processing times vary by visa category: e-Visas typically within 2-4 days, regular tourist/business visas within one week, and employment/long-stay visas may require several weeks. Emergency visa services are available in genuine emergency situations. Australian travelers should apply well in advance of planned travel. For current visa information and online e-Visa applications, visit the official Indian visa application portal or contact VFS Global.
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Consular Services

Consular services are provided for Indian nationals in Australia through the High Commission and Consulates General in Sydney (serving New South Wales and South Australia), Melbourne (serving Victoria and Tasmania), Perth (serving Western Australia and Northern Territory), and Brisbane (serving Queensland). Most consular services are processed through VFS Global application centers. Services include passport issuance and renewal, emergency passports and travel documents for lost/stolen documents, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card applications and services (OCI popular among Australian citizens of Indian origin, providing visa-free travel to India and long-term stay rights), visa services for family members, birth registration for children born in Australia to Indian parents, marriage registration, death registration, attestation and legalization of documents for use in India, police clearance certificates, Indian driving license verification, life certificates for pension beneficiaries, and emergency consular assistance. VFS Global operates India Passport and Visa Services Centres in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Submission hours at VFS centers are typically 08:30-15:00 Monday through Friday, with document collection from 12:00-15:00. Contact VFS Global helpline (039956 3830) or email (info.ind_aus@vfshelpline.com) for appointment booking and application procedures. The Indian community in Australia is diverse and dynamic, including Indian nationals on various visa categories (skilled migration, student visas, temporary work visas), permanent residents, naturalized Australian citizens of Indian origin (eligible for OCI), and multi-generational Indian Australians. The community is highly educated with strong representation in healthcare (Indian-origin doctors and nurses significant in Australian healthcare system), information technology, engineering, business and finance, hospitality, retail, and education sectors. Emergency consular assistance is available for Indian nationals facing arrest, serious medical situations, death, natural disasters, or other urgent situations. Contact the High Commission (+61 2 6225 4900) or nearest Consulate General for emergency assistance.
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Trade & Export Support

India and Australia maintain growing trade relations with bilateral trade exceeding AUD 45 billion annually and strong potential for expansion. Australia is an important trading partner for India, particularly as a reliable source of critical raw materials, energy resources, and agricultural products. Australian exports to India include coal (India is major market for Australian thermal and coking coal), natural gas (LNG), critical minerals including lithium, cobalt, and rare earths (essential for batteries and clean energy technology), gold, education services (Indian students contribute billions to Australian economy), tourism services, wool, meat (particularly sheep meat), pulses and lentils (Australia is major supplier of pulses to India), wine, nuts including almonds and macadamia, and dairy products, while India exports to Australia include petroleum products and refined fuels, pharmaceuticals and generic medicines (India supplies significant portion of Australian generic medicine market), textiles and garments, jewelry and precious stones, passenger vehicles and automotive components, IT services and software, organic chemicals, rice and basmati rice, tea and spices, and leather goods. The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which entered into force in 2022, has significantly boosted bilateral trade by reducing tariffs and improving market access. Both countries are negotiating a comprehensive India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to further deepen economic ties. The High Commission's commercial section (com.canberra@mea.gov.in, phones: +61 2 6225 4918, +61 2 6225 4910) actively supports trade promotion, business facilitation, and commercial engagement. Australian companies see India as a major growth market while Indian companies value Australia's resources, technology, and quality products. Cricket diplomacy and cultural connections further facilitate business relationships.
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Investment Opportunities

The High Commission provides information on investment opportunities in India for Australian companies and investors. India offers opportunities in sectors including resources and mining (India seeking reliable sources of critical minerals, coal, and energy resources), renewable energy (solar, wind, green hydrogen, battery storage - areas of mutual interest), infrastructure development (India's massive infrastructure needs including roads, railways, ports, airports, urban development), agriculture and agribusiness (Indian agricultural sector modernization and food processing), education and skill development (Australian education sector expertise valued), information technology and software development, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, defense manufacturing (growing sector under India's defense production policies), financial services and fintech, clean technology and environmental services, and sports and fitness industries. Australian expertise in resources and mining technology, agricultural technology, education, infrastructure development, renewable energy, and water management aligns with India's development priorities. Australian superannuation funds and institutional investors have shown increasing interest in Indian infrastructure and growth sectors. The High Commission facilitates connections between Australian and Indian business entities and provides guidance on India's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policies, investment procedures, sector regulations, and business operating environment. India's large and growing market, expanding middle class, improving ease of doing business, government initiatives including 'Make in India' and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and complementarity with Australian strengths create attractive investment opportunities. Similarly, Indian companies have invested in Australia, particularly in mining, IT services, pharmaceuticals, and education sectors.
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Business Support

The High Commission actively facilitates Australia-India business relations through its commercial section. Australian companies exploring Indian markets can contact the commercial section (com.canberra@mea.gov.in, +61 2 6225 4918 or +61 2 6225 4910) for market intelligence, regulatory guidance, business contacts, and facilitation support. The High Commission coordinates with Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Austrade (Australian Trade and Investment Commission), Australia-India Business Council (AIBC), state government trade agencies, and Australian industry associations to support bilateral commercial opportunities. Services include business matchmaking, market entry guidance, facilitation of trade delegations and ministerial visits, support for participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, sector-specific briefings, and networking events. The High Commission also supports Indian businesses seeking Australian partnerships, resources, technology collaborations, or market access. Key sectors of bilateral business cooperation include resources and critical minerals (Australia supplying resources for India's manufacturing and energy sectors), renewable energy and clean technology, agriculture and agribusiness, education and training (Indian students in Australian universities and Australian education providers in India), information technology and digital services, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, infrastructure development, defense and aerospace, financial services, and sports including cricket (India and Australia major cricket nations with extensive cricket-related business). Both countries collaborate on innovation, research commercialization, startup ecosystems, and technology development. Regular bilateral commercial dialogues, CEO forums, and sectoral working groups drive economic engagement. The High Commission facilitates participation in major events including Australia-India Business Summits, mining and energy conferences, agriculture exhibitions, and education fairs.
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Cultural & Educational Programs

India and Australia maintain vibrant and growing cultural and educational ties reflecting the large Indian diaspora and strong people-to-people connections. Cultural cooperation encompasses Indian performing arts, classical and contemporary music, dance, cinema (Bollywood highly popular in Australia), literature, yoga (widespread in Australia), cricket (major cultural connection), cuisine (Indian restaurants extremely popular across Australia), and festivals. Major Indian festivals including Diwali (widely celebrated across Australia with official recognition in many states), Holi, and regional festivals are celebrated by the Indian community and increasingly by multicultural Australia. Federation Square in Melbourne, Parramatta in Sydney, and other major public spaces host Indian cultural festivals attracting tens of thousands. Educational cooperation is particularly robust with over 100,000 Indian students in Australian universities, vocational institutions, and schools (India is the largest source of international students for Australia, contributing approximately AUD 12 billion annually to Australian economy). Indian students are prominent in engineering, IT, business, healthcare, and other fields. Australian universities actively recruit in India and many have established partnerships with Indian institutions. Academic collaboration includes university partnerships, joint research programs, student and faculty exchanges, dual degree programs, and research cooperation. The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) supports collaborative research in science and technology. Research collaboration spans diverse fields including renewable energy, climate science, water management, agriculture, health research, space technology (including cooperation between Australian Space Agency and Indian Space Research Organisation - ISRO), marine science, and social sciences. The Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) and Australia-India Institute facilitate educational and cultural exchange. Both countries collaborate on skill development and vocational training with Australian TAFE system expertise valued in India. Cricket serves as powerful cultural connector with India-Australia cricket series among the most anticipated sporting events, and cricket administration cooperation between Cricket Australia and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
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Service Area

The High Commission of India in Canberra has overall diplomatic oversight for Australia but consular jurisdiction primarily covers the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). For consular services, Australian residents should contact the appropriate mission based on their state of residence: Consulate General of India in Sydney (serving New South Wales and South Australia, website: cgisydney.gov.in), Consulate General of India in Melbourne (serving Victoria and Tasmania, website: cgimelbourne.gov.in), Consulate General of India in Perth (serving Western Australia and Northern Territory, website: cgiperth.gov.in), and Consulate General of India in Brisbane (serving Queensland, website: cgibrisbane.gov.in). VFS Global operates India Passport and Visa Services Centres in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide for convenient access to consular services. For general High Commission inquiries, contact +61 2 6225 4900. For commercial and trade matters, contact the commercial section at com.canberra@mea.gov.in or +61 2 6225 4918 / +61 2 6225 4910. For VFS Global consular services, contact VFS helpline 039956 3830 or email info.ind_aus@vfshelpline.com.
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Appointment Information

All consular services require advance appointments scheduled through VFS Global. Visit the VFS Global website (https://services.vfsglobal.com/aus/en/ind/) to book appointments for passport applications, OCI services, visa applications, document attestation, police clearance certificates, and other consular services. VFS Global operates India Passport and Visa Services Centres in major Australian cities with standardized hours: submissions typically 08:30-15:00 Monday through Friday, document collection 12:00-15:00 Monday through Friday. Contact VFS Global helpline 039956 3830 or email info.ind_aus@vfshelpline.com for appointment booking assistance, application procedures, document requirements, and processing times. Walk-in services are not available at the High Commission or Consulates General. For general High Commission inquiries, contact +61 2 6225 4900 during office hours (Monday-Friday 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:30, closed 12:45-14:15). For trade and commercial inquiries, contact com.canberra@mea.gov.in or call +61 2 6225 4918 / +61 2 6225 4910. Emergency consular assistance for Indian nationals in Australia is available through the High Commission and Consulates General during and after office hours for genuine emergencies including arrest, serious medical situations, death, natural disasters, or other urgent situations.
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Special Notes

The High Commission of India is located at 3 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600, in Canberra's diplomatic precinct in the suburb of Yarralumla, which houses most foreign diplomatic missions. The location is accessible via Canberra's public transport system including buses. Canberra is a planned city with good road connectivity. Visitor parking may be available at the mission; contact in advance. Visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification (passport or Australian driver's license) and pass security screening to enter the High Commission premises. Only persons with confirmed appointments or official business will be admitted. The High Commission observes both Indian and Australian public holidays. Major Indian national celebrations including Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) feature flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programs, and receptions attended by the Indian community, Australian government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and friends of India. These celebrations showcase India's democracy, cultural heritage, and growing India-Australia partnership. For Australian travelers to India, comprehensive travel information is available on the High Commission and consulate websites including visa requirements, health recommendations (travelers should consult Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - DFAT - Smartraveller advice for India and consider vaccinations recommended by health authorities), safety advice, and cultural information. For Australian citizens and permanent residents of Indian origin, OCI status offers significant benefits including visa-free entry to India, permission for long-term stay, parity with non-resident Indians in economic and educational matters (excluding political rights and agricultural land ownership in certain areas). OCI eligibility, application procedures, required documentation, fees, and benefits are detailed on mission websites and VFS Global website. India's diverse attractions including historical monuments (Taj Mahal, forts and palaces), spiritual centers (Varanasi, Rishikesh, Amritsar), Himalayan regions (Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), beaches (Goa, Kerala), wildlife (tiger reserves, national parks), cultural festivals, yoga and wellness retreats, and cuisine attract hundreds of thousands of Australian visitors annually. Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket also draws Australian cricket fans and players. Business travelers visit India's IT hubs (Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune), financial centers (Mumbai, Delhi), and manufacturing regions.
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