Since 26 October 2026, people lodging a new Australian visa application in India may be asked to give biometrics: fingerprints and a facial image. The Australian High Commission announced the change, which brings India into a programme Australia already runs in nearly 60 countries. It does not mean every Indian applicant must attend an appointment. The Department of Home Affairs tells each applicant whether biometrics are needed and how to provide them.
What Changed at a Glance
| Detail | What applies |
|---|---|
| Effective date | 26 October 2026 |
| Applies to | New applications lodged in India on or after 26 October 2026 |
| Not affected | Visas already granted and applications lodged before 26 October |
| What is collected | Fingerprints and a facial image |
| Is it compulsory for everyone? | No. Applicants "may be required"; Home Affairs advises each one |
| How you are told | Typically by email to the applicant or their authorised agent |
| Where to give them | Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC) or, for some, the Australian Immi App |
Your instruction letter decides your next step, not your visa type or a news headline. Do nothing until Home Affairs tells you biometrics are required, and then follow the instructions in that notification exactly.
Who Is Affected
The rule applies to people lodging a new Australian visa application in India from 26 October 2026. If your application was lodged earlier, this expansion does not change it, and visas already granted are untouched. Sources describing the announcement do not list specific visa subclasses, so we cannot say which categories will be asked most often. What is clear is that the request is made applicant by applicant.
If you apply through an agent, the notification may go to them. Ask your agent to forward it to you immediately, because the clock on completing the step is yours.
Centre or Immi App: Two Ways to Give Biometrics
Depending on your circumstances, Home Affairs will direct you to one of two routes.
| Collection centre (ABCC) | Australian Immi App | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Book an appointment and attend in person | Submit passport details and a live facial image on your phone |
| Who can use it | Anyone told to attend | Eligible applicants only |
| Eligibility | — | Previously gave biometrics at an ABCC and hold a valid passport; reported to require a lodgement number starting AUI |
| Cost | Service fee charged | No cost for eligible applicants |
Home Affairs lists 16 collection locations in India: 14 regular centres, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata, plus pop-up centres with shorter hours in Panaji and Puducherry. The centres are run by VFS Global under contract with the department. Check the Home Affairs biometrics page for the current list before booking.
No AUI at the start of your lodgement number? Reports of the Immi App rules say you then have to attend a collection centre in person. The app is not an option for everyone, so do not plan on skipping the trip until your letter says so.
What to Do If You Get the Letter
Step 1: Check it is genuine
The request should come from the Department of Home Affairs. Compare the instructions with what the Home Affairs website says, and treat unexpected requests for payment by a third party with caution.
Step 2: Follow the route it names
If it points to a collection centre, book an appointment before you go. If it points to the Immi App, download the app and follow the prompts using the lodgement number from your letter.
Step 3: Do it promptly
The department says biometric collection is not expected to adversely affect processing times provided applicants complete the requirements in their notification promptly. Delay is the part you control.
Step 4: Keep proof
Hold on to your appointment confirmation, receipt and the original letter until your visa is decided.
Cost
Collection centres charge a service fee for biometrics, and eligible Immi App users do not pay that charge. We have not found the exact centre fee in the official announcement or its coverage, so check the figure on the Home Affairs biometrics page or when you book. Do not confuse it with your visa application charge, which is separate.
Processing Times
The Australian High Commission says biometric collection is not expected to adversely affect processing times if applicants complete the step promptly. That is not a promise of faster visas: some coverage notes the new requirement does not speed up approvals. If you are planning study, work or travel dates, build in room for the biometrics step and do not book non-refundable flights ahead of a decision.
Privacy and Safety
Home Affairs says biometric information is managed under Australian law and applicable local laws, with data processed and transmitted over encrypted channels. Biometrics may be checked with other Australian or international agencies to verify identity, criminal history and immigration history. For the Immi App, the department's app page says passport details and facial images are sent to Home Affairs and not stored in the app after submission.
FAQ
Do all Indians applying for an Australian visa now need biometrics?
No. From 26 October 2026, applicants lodging a new application in India may be required to provide biometrics. The Department of Home Affairs tells each applicant whether they must, and how.
Does this apply to applications I already lodged?
No. The requirement applies only to applications lodged on or after 26 October 2026. It does not affect visas already granted or applications lodged before that date.
What biometrics does Australia collect?
Fingerprints and a facial image.
Can I give my biometrics on the Australian Immi App?
Some eligible applicants can. Those who have previously provided biometrics at an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre and hold a valid passport may be able to use the app at no cost. Others must attend a centre in person.
How much does it cost to give biometrics in India?
Collection centres charge a service fee, and the amount is listed by Home Affairs rather than in the announcement. Eligible Immi App users are not charged for biometric collection.
Will biometrics delay my Australian visa?
Australia says it is not expected to adversely affect processing times if you complete the requirement promptly after being notified.
Requirements, fees and collection locations may change. This guide is for general planning and is not a guarantee of a visa. Check the Department of Home Affairs website and the Australian High Commission in India before you act on any notification.