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Services for Australians Overseas
Australian travellers should be aware that an Australian overseas mission can only provide a very basic safety net for travellers in difficulty. Travellers need to be aware that Australians who enter a foreign state become subject to its laws and are legally accountable for acts they commit on its territory. In the event of an Australian citizen finding him or herself in difficulty, Australian Consular Officers will seek to ensure that Australian citizens receive the benefit of the same laws, administration, protection and means of redress which the foreign state affords its own subjects.
If you do happen to encounter serious problems while you are in India, you should seek the assistance of the Australian High Commission. However, there are very clear limits to what the Australian Government or its Consular officers can do.
What a Consul Can Do
- Issue emergency passports or travel documents.
- Provide assistance in the case of an accident, serious illness, or death to arrange for next of kin to be informed.
- Witness and certify signatures.
- Provide a list of doctors and lawyers.
- Provide limited financial assistance in real emergencies.
- Visit you in jail, if you are arrested, if you so request and arrange for your family to be informed, if you wish.
- Help you during emergencies, such as natural disasters.
What a Consul Cannot Do
- Arrange any of your travel or hotel bookings.
- Pay your hotel, medical, or any other bills or become involved in disputes about these expenses.
- Provide funds to pay your legal costs or fines.
- Get you out of jail.
- Represent you at legal proceedings or give legal advice.
- Obtain special treatment for you in jail, or hospital, or in any dealings you might have with local authorities.
- Obtain work or a work permit for you.
- Pay your pensions.
- Store your luggage.
In case of an emergency outside Embassy office hours, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Consular operations 24 hour centre in Canberra may be contacted from the Republic of India by dialing +91 11 4139 9900 and the receptionist will connect you.
For more information on what we can and cannot do, please visit the following link:
Assisting Australians overseas within limits
Centrelink
Centrelink main website - http://www.centrelink.gov.au
Telephone numbers for Centrelink International Services, including free call numbers from a number of countries, can be found at http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/contact_us/phone.htm#overseas.
Alternatively, Centrelink International Services can be contacted by:
Fax: +61 3 6222 2799
Email: international.services@centrelink.gov.au
Mail: GPO Box 273, Hobart TASMANIA 7001, Australia
Travel information for Australians
Get the latest travel advisories and other traveller hints from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Passports & Consular
Application information
Lodging your application
Passport photograph requirements
Passport Fees
Lost and Stolen passports
Passport News
Frequently Asked Questions
On-line registration for Australians overseas
We encourage use of this online registration service by Australians planning to reside overseas for extended periods, and those travelling to locations where there are security risks.
Living in India
- Citizenship
- Taxation issues
- International driving permits
- Birth, marriage and death certificates
- Getting married in India. See also Marriage overseas
- Authentications and apostilles
- See also information about Australian living overseas
- Certificate of competency
- Papua New Guinea visas
- Customs and Quarantine enquiries
- Dual Nationality
For more information on Consular services for Australians in India, click here or e-mail the Consular section at: austhighcom.newdelhi@dfat.gov.au
Returning to Australia
Handy information for Australians or residents returning from a holiday or moving back to Australia.
Elections
Australian Electoral Commission Website