The Australian Government is now operating in accordance with the Caretaker Conventions pending the outcome of the 2022 federal election.
Australian Federal Elections
The next federal election will be held on 21 May 2022. If you are still in Australia, you can pre-poll vote from 9 May 2022.
The AEC recommends overseas voters cast a postal vote in this election. If you plan to be overseas at the time of the election, make sure you check your enrolment and request a postal vote as soon as possible on the AEC website.
Note: The Australian High Commission in New Delhi is not providing in-person voting. Australians in India are encouraged to vote via postal vote, which can either be posted to the AEC directly, or couriered to the High Commission in New Delhi (1/50G, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110021).
Postal votes must be returned as quickly as possible to ensure they are received by the AEC in time to be counted.
More Info ➡️ https://www.aec.gov.au/overseas/
Latest Announcements
- Australia has reopened for all fully vaccinated visa holders, including tourists, business travellers, and other visitors from 21 February. Visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will still require a valid travel exemption to enter Australia and will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements. Annoucement ➡️ Reopening to tourists and other international travellers to secure our economic recovery | Prime Minister of Australia (pm.gov.au)
- Passport fees will increase on 1 January 2022. From 1 January 2022, the fees for:
- a 10-year passport for people 16 and over will cost $308
- a 5-year passport for people under 16 or 75 and over will cost $155
- emergency and replacement passports will cost $193
- the priority processing fee will be $225
- the overseas surcharge for adult and senior applicants will be $138
- the overseas surcharge for child applicants will be $67.
(Note: the overseas surcharge is not charged for emergency or replacement passports.) Click here, for full list of travel documents and relevant fees applicable.
- All passengers arriving by air into Australia should complete their Digital Passenger Declaration.
Details ➡️ https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19/
COVID-19
From 21 February 2022, all visa holders who are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes can travel to Australia without a travel exemption. Unvaccinated visa holders will still need to be in an exempt category or hold an individual travel exemption to enter Australia.
Important information for Australians
For up-to-date information on India, please refer to the Smartraveller website.
We can all help slow the spread of COVID-19. To protect yourself and others you must:
- practise good hygiene
- practise social distancing
- limit contact with other people
- understand how to isolate if you need to
- look after your mental health
If you need urgent consular assistance (for example you have been attacked, arrested) please call the Australian High Commission in New Delhi on +91 11 4139 9900, or the 24 hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).
Click Here for information on International students
The Australian High Commission, New Delhi is now accepting passport and notarial services by appointment only
The Australian High Commission, New Delhi is now accepting passport and notarial services by appointment only. To make an appointment, please email [email protected].
Latest news
Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership Grants
The Australian Government congratulates the five grant recipients funded under the second round of the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership (AICCTP) program.
The AICCTP is a $12.7 million initiative that contributes to the Australian Government priorities to promote a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
The program promotes Australian and Indian Organisations working together to contribute to the global development of ethical standards around critical and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), next generation telecommunications (5G/6G), Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing, synthetic biology, blockchain and big data.
Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership
Australia India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA)
On 2 April 2022, Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan MP, signed the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) with his Indian counterpart Minister Piyush Goyal in a virtual ceremony attended by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Scott Morrison.
“This agreement will turbocharge our close, long-standing and highly complementary economic relationship in areas such as critical minerals, professional services, education and tourism. It will create new opportunities for jobs and businesses in both countries, while laying the foundations for a full free trade agreement,” said Minister Tehan in his release.
AI-ECTA is an interim agreement and both countries continue to work towards a full Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.
Media Release: Historic trade deal with India | Minister for Trade Tourism and Investment (trademinister.gov.au)
For more information, refer to the outcomes documents and official text of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.
Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan MP, signs the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement
Second Australia-India Virtual Summit
On March 21, our two Prime Ministers - the Hon Scott Morrison MP and the Hon Shri Narendra Modi - held their second Virtual Summit and took stock of the remarkable pace at which we are implementing the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), agreed in 2020. Since November 2021, the Australian Government has announced AUD 280 million (INR 1500 crore) worth of new initiatives across the breadth of our relationship.
The leaders re-committed to concluding an Interim Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) at the earliest and work towards an ambitious, full CECA by the end of the year to enhance trade and investment ties and deepen the CSP.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed Australia’s special gesture in returning 29 ancient artefacts to India which included sculptures, paintings and photographs, across centuries, from different parts of India. The meeting reinforced the warm, close bonds between India and Australia and the Leaders reiterated their commitment to further accelerate bilateral cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Australia India Joint Statement - Australia-India Virtual Summit | Prime Minister of Australia (pm.gov.au)
Opening Remarks by the Prime Ministers - Remarks, Virtual Annual Leaders’ Meeting with Prime Minister Modi | Prime Minister of Australia (pm.gov.au)
Australia and India to establish taskforce on qualifications recognition - https://ministers.dese.gov.au/robert/australia-and-india-establish-taskforce-qualifications-recognition
Unlocking opportunities in India for Australian METS firms - https://www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/pitt/media-releases/unlocking-opportunities-india-australian-mets-firms
Virtual Summit Media Release Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Australia H.E. Mr. Scott Morrison hold 2nd India Australia Virtual Summit (mea.gov.in)
Oped by the High Commissioner https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/realising-the-potential-of-maitri-and-mateship/article65246697.ece
Prime Ministers interacting during the second Australia India Annual Leaders' Meeting
India Economic Strategy to 2035
On 22 March, Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, The Hon Dan Tehan MP launched an Update to the landmark 2018 India Economic Strategy. The update presents a five year action plan to deepen Australia’s economic integration with India and details many of the Government’s new initiatives.
As part of the update, Australia will provide additional investment in the relationship including:
- $16.6 million to strengthen linkages with India’s key policy & finance institutions;
- $8.9 million to support enhanced business engagement and an increased Austrade’s presence in India.
More information on the Update to India Economic Strategy to 2035: https://dfat.gov.au/IESUpdate
Minister Dan Tehan’s Media Release: https://www.trademinister.gov.au/minister/dan-tehan/media-release/investing-australia-india-relationship
International Women’s Day 2022
Our Deputy High Commissioner Sarah Storey did a walk the talk interview with Meenakshi Lekhi, India's Minister of State for Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India to discuss her successful career and how we can empower women to navigate career challenges. Watch the full conversation below.
News and Media
Latest Press Coverage
- A trade deal that will create jobs (Joint OpEd by Ministers Dan Tehan and Piyush Goyal) - Times of India
- Realising the potential of ‘maitri’ and ‘mateship’ (OpEd by High Commissioner) - Hindu
Latest Speeches by the High Commissioner
