https://themelbourneindian.com.au/ Independent, free-to-read news for Melbourne's Indian communities in English, Hindi and Punjabi. en-au https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/smvs-temple-power-cut-diwali-eve/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/smvs-temple-power-cut-diwali-eve/The SMVS Swaminarayan temple near Tarneit lost power twice in eight days, according to MPs from both major parties. Labor has pledged $200,000 for its security if re-elected.Mon, 09 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/big-build-royal-commission-hearings-begin/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/big-build-royal-commission-hearings-begin/The inquiry has sought more than 110,000 documents, counsel assisting said. Its first two-week block of hearings runs until 20 November, eight days before Victorians vote.Mon, 09 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/victorian-election-2026-candidates-indian-communities/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/victorian-election-2026-candidates-indian-communities/Nominations close at noon today. Here is who had nominated in Tarneit, Laverton, Kalkallo, Point Cook, Cranbourne, Williamstown and Thomastown, and how to fill in your ballot papers.Mon, 09 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/australia-visa-biometrics-india-2026/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/australia-visa-biometrics-india-2026/Since 26 October, people applying for an Australian visa in India may be asked for fingerprints and a facial image. The Australian High Commission says applications lodged before that date are not affected.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/india-largest-overseas-born-group/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/india-largest-overseas-born-group/About 971,000 people living in Australia were born in India, narrowly ahead of England, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/student-visa-onshore-rules-october-2026/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/student-visa-onshore-rules-october-2026/Since 2 October, most temporary visa holders in Australia can no longer lodge a Student visa application onshore, and new applicants generally cannot include a partner or children. Here is what the Department of Home Affairs says has changed.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/vec-voting-help-indian-languages/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/vec-voting-help-indian-languages/The Victorian Electoral Commission has dedicated phone lines for Tamil, Urdu and Nepali speakers. For Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Malayalam and other languages, there is one number to call.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/india-australia-trade-after-melbourne-summit/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/india-australia-trade-after-melbourne-summit/Leaders agreed in Melbourne in July to move faster on a comprehensive economic agreement. Trade ministers met again in October, but no date has been set to finish the deal.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/international-students-2027-settings/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/international-students-2027-settings/The federal government has kept the planning level for new international students at 295,000 for 2027, unchanged from this year.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/little-india-docklands/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/little-india-docklands/The City of Melbourne has set aside more than $1.2 million to develop a Little India precinct in Docklands, but no site has been chosen and many local residents have urged caution.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/indian-consular-services-melbourne/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/indian-consular-services-melbourne/Indian consular applications in Victoria now go through a VFS Global centre on St Kilda Road, with a $115 service charge per application on top of government fees.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/diwali-2026-melbourne/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/diwali-2026-melbourne/Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November this year. Celebrations across the city began a week earlier.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/multicultural-grants-2026/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/multicultural-grants-2026/Three Victorian Government funding rounds for multicultural groups and businesses have closed. Here is what they offered, so your organisation can plan ahead.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/victorian-election-2026-key-dates/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/victorian-election-2026-key-dates/Early voting opens on 18 November and postal vote applications close on 25 November. Here is how to vote, and where to get help in your language.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100 https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/welcome/https://themelbourneindian.com.au/en/welcome/A free news service for Melbourne's Indian communities, in English, Hindi and Punjabi.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100