Indian passport, visa, OCI and other consular services have resumed across Australia through six upgraded Indian Consular Application Centres operated by VFS Global.
The new centres became operational on 23 July 2026 in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The change affects Indian citizens living in Australia, Australian residents travelling to India and anyone applying for an Indian consular service through VFS Global.
Indian Consular Services Resume After Temporary Disruption
Indian Consular, Passport and Visa services became temporarily unavailable through VFS Global from 1 July 2026. The previous application centres had stopped serving the public after 30 June 2026 while the transition to the new service arrangements was completed.
From 23 July 2026, applications can once again be submitted through the new Indian Consular Application Centre network.
Services available through the VFS Global system include:
- Indian visa applications
- Indian passport services
- Overseas Citizen of India applications
- Police Clearance Certificates
- Surrender of Indian passports
- Other eligible Indian consular services
Applicants should select the correct service category before completing the relevant Government of India application form.
Where Are the New Indian Consular Application Centres?
The six centres are operating from the following locations:
| City | New Indian Consular Application Centre Address |
|---|---|
| Adelaide | Suite 8.01, Level 8, 111 Gawler Place, Adelaide SA 5000 |
| Brisbane | Suite 0201, Level 2, 127 Creek Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000 |
| Canberra | Part Level 6, 40 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT 2601 |
| Melbourne | Ground Floor, 324 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 |
| Perth | Ground Floor, 23 Barrack Street, Perth WA 6000 |
| Sydney | Level 9, 22–24 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000 |
These addresses replace the previous public application centre locations. Applicants should not send documents or attend an old centre based on saved instructions, previous application records or outdated online information.
What Has Changed at the New Centres?
The upgraded centres have been established to manage growing demand for Indian passport, visa and consular services in Australia.
The changes include more service counters, additional staff and increased appointment capacity. VFS Global has also introduced longer submission and collection windows to improve the flow of applicants through the centres. These changes are intended to reduce delays, although actual waiting and processing times will still depend on demand, application completeness and the service being requested.
Optional services may also be available, including:
- Document return or courier services
- SMS application updates
- Photocopying
- Passport photograph services
- Assistance with completing forms, where applicable
These are facilitation services. Purchasing an optional service does not determine whether an application will be approved or processed faster.
Customer assistance has also been expanded through multilingual telephone support, Interactive Voice Response services and AI-enabled digital support channels.
Online Appointments Are Required
Applicants must book an appointment online before attending an Indian Consular Application Centre.
The VFS Global visa guidance specifically states that walk-in visa submissions are not accepted. Applicants must complete the required Government of India form, prepare their documents, book an appointment and attend the centre serving their jurisdiction.
Do not travel to a centre expecting staff to accept an application without an appointment. An incomplete application may also be rejected at the counter, forcing the applicant to correct the documents and book another appointment.
Biometrics Are Mandatory for Visa and OCI Applications
A major procedural change applies to Indian visa and OCI applications.
From 1 July 2026, biometric enrolment became mandatory for all visa and OCI applications submitted in Australia. Applicants must attend a pre-booked appointment and provide biometrics when lodging their application.
This means applicants should not assume that an application can be completed entirely by post simply because they used a postal process previously.
Applicants using passport, Police Clearance Certificate or other consular services should check the current instructions for their specific service. Requirements are not identical across every application category.
Application Checklists and Postal Addresses Have Changed
The physical centres are not the only part of the system that has changed.
Applicants have been advised to review the updated VFS Global website because several procedures were revised during the transition. These may include:
- Application checklists
- Supporting document requirements
- Designated GPO boxes for postal applications
- Accepted payment methods
- VFS Global service charges
- Government fees
- Appointment procedures
- Application submission instructions
Using an old checklist is a bad idea. A document set that was accepted under the previous process may not satisfy the current requirements.
Postal applicants must also use the designated address shown for their jurisdiction and service. Sending an application to an old office, outdated post office box or incorrect centre may cause rejection, delay or document-return problems.
Check the Current Opening Hours Before Attending
At the time of writing, the live VFS Global “Attend a Centre” page lists all six centres as operating Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
However, some initial reopening announcements reported closing times of 4:00 pm. Because published hours have not been completely consistent, applicants should follow the time shown in their appointment confirmation and check the live VFS Global centre page before travelling.
Do not rely on a social media graphic, an old screenshot or information copied from another website.
How to Prepare Before Your Appointment
Select the Correct Service
Confirm whether you are applying for a visa, passport, OCI card, Police Clearance Certificate, passport surrender or another consular service.
Complete the Required Government Form
Complete the correct online Government of India application form. Check names, dates, passport numbers, addresses and family details carefully.
Use the Current Document Checklist
Download the latest checklist from the official VFS Global service page. Do not reuse a checklist from an older application.
Book the Appointment Online
Select the correct centre, service category and available appointment. Keep a copy of the appointment confirmation.
Confirm Fees and Payment Methods
Check the current government fee, VFS Global service charge and any optional-service cost. For visa applications, VFS Global states that its service fee is paid through the appointment process, while applicable government fees are collected at the centre when the application is submitted.
Prepare Complete Supporting Documents
Bring the original documents, copies, photographs, forms and payment evidence required by the current checklist.
Attend in Person Where Required
Visa and OCI applicants must attend for biometric enrolment. Other applicants should follow the attendance or postal instructions for their particular service.
What Happens to Applications Submitted to the Old Centres?
The previous application centres no longer provide public services.
Applicants should not visit an old location or send a new postal application using an address that applied before 1 July 2026. New applications must follow the revised process and use the correct centre or postal address shown on the current VFS Global website.
Anyone with an application submitted before the transition should use the official tracking and customer-support channels to check its status rather than submitting a duplicate application.
Final Information for Applicants
The opening of six new Indian Consular Application Centres restores access to important passport, visa, OCI and consular services across Australia.
The new facilities are intended to provide more appointment capacity and a better application experience. That does not remove the applicant’s responsibility to prepare the application correctly.
Before submitting anything:
- Check the current address
- Download the latest checklist
- Confirm whether biometrics are required
- Review the applicable fees
- Book an online appointment
- Use only the designated postal address
- Make sure every form and supporting document is complete
Incomplete applications, outdated forms and documents sent to the wrong address may not be accepted.
