Indian Australians applying for an Indian passport, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, visa or another consular service now need to budget for a substantially higher service charge and follow a new appointment process.
VFS Global began operating six new Indian Consular Application Centres across Australia on 23 July 2026. The centres are in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Alongside the applicable Government of India fee, applicants are now required to pay a VFS Global service fee of $115 per application.
The change is especially important for families lodging several applications at once: the service charge applies to each application, so the combined cost can rise quickly.
What has changed at Indian consular centres?
The new centres have taken over delivery of Indian consular services in Australia under a new operating arrangement. According to information published by SBS Hindi and VFS Global, applicants should note three practical changes:
- appointments are mandatory at the centres;
- the VFS service fee is paid when booking; and
- biometric collection is required for visa and OCI applications.
The centres handle services including passports, OCI applications, police clearance certificates, surrender of Indian passports, Indian visas and other consular matters. Requirements vary by service, so applicants should check the relevant document list before booking rather than relying on an older application checklist.
What does the $115 fee cover?
The $115 is a VFS service charge, not the Government of India fee for the passport, OCI card, visa or other service. Applicants therefore need to calculate both amounts when preparing their budget.
VFS Global told Indian Link that the new fee reflects a broader, all-inclusive service model. It said inclusions cover:
- courier return of passports;
- four SMS updates and digital tracking;
- document photocopying;
- passport photographs;
- assistance with completing forms;
- biometric enrolment; and
- four Application Facilitating Services.
Applicants should still confirm which inclusions apply to their chosen service during the booking process. Optional extras, special delivery arrangements or government charges may be treated separately.
The fee represents a major increase from the previous reported service charge of $4.60. VFS said the earlier pricing came from a contract dating to 2013, while the new model includes larger facilities, more staff, security, expanded support channels and additional bundled services.
How the appointment process works
VFS Global outlines a five-step application journey:
- Choose the correct consular service.
- Complete the relevant Government of India online application form.
- Book an appointment through the official VFS portal.
- Attend the centre with the required application and supporting documents.
- Track the application after submission.
Applicants should ensure details on the government form match their current passport and supporting documents. Small differences in names, addresses or dates can lead to requests for clarification and delay an application.
VFS has said an appointment can be rescheduled twice, or cancelled with at least 24 hours’ notice. Check the current refund and rescheduling terms before paying, as these conditions can change and may depend on the circumstances.
A cost checklist for families
Before confirming an appointment, Indian Australian households should allow for:
- the Government of India fee for the selected service;
- the $115 VFS charge for each application;
- travel to the nearest centre;
- any additional documents, translations or certifications required; and
- possible costs associated with correcting or resubmitting an incomplete application.
For example, a family preparing multiple OCI applications should not assume one service charge covers the whole household. Review the booking total carefully before making payment.
How to avoid unofficial websites and payment scams
Use the official VFS Global Australia–India portal and the relevant Indian government website to start an application. Be cautious with sponsored search results, agents promising guaranteed appointments, and messages asking for payment through bank transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Check that the website address is correct before entering passport or card details. Keep the booking receipt and application reference, but do not share one-time passwords or full identity documents through unsolicited calls, social media messages or email.
If you believe your identity or payment information has been compromised, contact your bank promptly and report cybercrime through the Australian Government’s ReportCyber service.
The practical takeaway
The six new centres may offer more capacity and bundled assistance, but the $115 per-application fee is a significant new household expense. Indian Australians planning passport, OCI, visa or police clearance applications should use the official portal, check current requirements, budget for both government and service fees, and arrive with a complete document set.
Official details and centre information are available through the VFS Global Australia–India portal. SBS Hindi has also published a community-focused summary of the change.