Published on October 8, 2026
If you travel on an Indian passport, you don’t need a visa for India. If you’re an Australian citizen of Indian origin, you need either an OCI card or an Indian e-Visa. As for layovers, you can skip them: Air India flies non-stop from Melbourne to Delhi in about 12 to 13 hours, while one-stop flights through Singapore usually take about 15 to 19 hours in total, with a layover of a few hours.
This guide covers everything Indians living in Australia need before a Melbourne to Delhi trip, whether you still hold an Indian passport or have become an Australian citizen.
| Quick answer | Details |
| Visa on an Indian passport | Not needed |
| Visa on an Australian passport | OCI card, or an Indian e-Visa applied for online |
| Arrival forms | Air Suvidha 2.0 for everyone, plus the e-Arrival Card for OCI and foreign passport holders |
| Direct flights | Yes, Air India non-stop, plus seasonal Qantas flights |
| Direct flight time | About 12 to 13 hours |
| One-stop flight time | About 15 to 19 hours, usually via Singapore |
| Travel advice | Exercise a high degree of caution (Smartraveller) |
Do You Need a Visa for India From Australia?
It depends on the passport you travel on. Use this table to find your situation:
| Your situation | Do you need an India visa? |
| Indian citizen with an Indian passport | No. You’re entering your own country |
| Australian citizen with an OCI card | No. Your OCI card works as a lifelong visa |
| Australian citizen without an OCI card | Yes. Apply for an Indian e-Visa online before you fly |
If You Travel on an Indian Passport
You don’t need a visa. Just make sure your passport is valid for your whole trip. Remember that India doesn’t allow dual citizenship, so once you become an Australian citizen, you can no longer travel on your Indian passport.
If You’re an Australian Citizen With an OCI Card
An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card lets you enter India as many times as you like without a visa. Travel with both your current Australian passport and your OCI card. If you’ve renewed your passport since getting your OCI card, check the latest OCI rules on updating your passport details before you fly.
If You’re an Australian Citizen Without an OCI Card
Do Australians need a visa for India? Yes. Most short trips are covered by an Indian e-Visa, which you apply for online through the Government of India’s official e-Visa website. Apply well before your flight, and only use the official site, as many look-alike websites charge extra fees.
Arrival Forms, Air Suvidha 2.0 and the India e-Arrival Card
On top of your visa, India currently asks international travellers to fill in one or two online forms before landing. Missing them can slow you down at Delhi airport.
| Form | Who needs it | When to fill it in |
| Air Suvidha 2.0 | Every international arrival, including Indian passport holders | Within 24 hours before your journey starts |
| India e-Arrival Card | OCI cardholders and foreign passport holders. Indian passport holders are exempt | Up to 72 hours before you arrive |
Air Suvidha 2.0 is a health self-declaration that India made mandatory for all international arrivals from 25 June 2026, in response to the Ebola outbreak. Fill it in on the official Air Suvidha portal. After you submit, save the confirmation as a PDF or screenshot to show on arrival.
The India e-Arrival Card replaced the paper arrival card on 1 October 2025. If you’re an Australian citizen, with or without an OCI card, you need to complete it.
Because Air Suvidha 2.0 was introduced as an outbreak measure, it could be withdrawn at short notice. Check the official portal a day or two before you fly, and never pay a third-party website to fill in either form.
Melbourne to Delhi Flights, Direct or With a Layover?
Melbourne is one of the few Australian cities with direct flights to Delhi, so you can avoid a layover altogether. Here’s how the options compare:
| Option | Airline | Flight time | Notes |
| Non-stop | Air India | About 12 hours 45 minutes | Several flights a week, arriving at Delhi Terminal 3 |
| Non-stop | Qantas | About 13 hours | Seasonal. The 2025 to 2026 season ran from late October to late March, so check this year’s dates |
| One stop via Singapore | Singapore Airlines | About 15 to 19 hours | Many daily options |
| One stop via Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok | Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways and others | Varies by schedule | Often cheaper, with longer layovers |
How Long Do Layovers Usually Take?
On the fastest one-stop routes through Singapore, the layover is usually a few hours, giving a total trip of about 15 to 19 hours. Cheaper fares can come with much longer waits, so always check the total travel time, not just the price.
- 2 to 4 hours is the sweet spot. It gives you time to change planes without a long wait.
- Under 90 minutes is risky if your first flight is delayed, especially with children or older parents.
- Overnight layovers may need a hotel. Check whether your passport needs a transit visa to leave the airport in your connecting country.
If your final stop is another Indian city, such as Amritsar or Jaipur, allow extra time to change to a domestic flight in Delhi.
Travel Advice for India
Smartraveller advises Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in India overall, which is level 2 of 4, due to the threat of terrorism and crime and the risk of civil unrest. Delhi itself falls under this general level.
Some parts of India have higher warnings. Smartraveller currently says do not travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border area and Manipur. If your family lives in or near these areas, check the latest advice and your travel insurance before you book, as cover may not apply.
In Delhi, keep these everyday precautions in mind:
- Use registered transport from the airport, such as prepaid taxis, airport taxis or app-based rides.
- Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places, markets and railway stations.
- Check the air quality if you’re travelling in late October to winter, when Delhi’s air is often at its worst. This matters most for young children, older parents and anyone with breathing problems.
Melbourne to Delhi 101, Your Pre-Trip Checklist
Tick these off before you fly, so nothing catches you out at either end of the trip.
- Check your passport is valid for your whole trip. Australian citizens should travel on the passport linked to their OCI card or e-Visa.
- Sort your India visa if you’re an Australian citizen: carry your OCI card, or apply for an e-Visa on the official website.
- Fill in Air Suvidha 2.0 within 24 hours before your journey, and save the confirmation.
- Complete the e-Arrival Card up to 72 hours before landing if you travel on an Australian passport.
- Check your Australian visa lets you return, if you live in Australia on an Indian passport. Temporary visa holders can check their conditions on VEVO, and permanent residents need a valid travel facility or a Resident Return Visa.
- Buy travel insurance that covers your whole trip, including any stopovers.
- Read the latest Smartraveller advice for India and subscribe to updates.
- Book onward flights or transport from Delhi before you land, especially during festival season.
- Pack an adapter. India uses different power sockets from Australia.
- Set up your phone with roaming or an India eSIM so you can get online as soon as you land.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a Melbourne to Delhi trip? Not if you travel on an Indian passport. Australian citizens need either an OCI card or an Indian e-Visa, applied for online before you fly.
How long do layovers usually take from Melbourne to Delhi? You can avoid a layover by flying non-stop with Air India in about 12 to 13 hours. One-stop flights, usually through Singapore, have a layover of a few hours and take about 15 to 19 hours in total.
Is there a direct flight from Melbourne to Delhi? Yes. Air India flies non-stop several times a week, and Qantas runs seasonal non-stop flights over the Australian summer.
Do Australians need a visa for India? Yes, unless they hold an OCI card. Most Australian visitors apply for an Indian e-Visa online.
Do I need to fill in Air Suvidha if I have an Indian passport? Yes. Air Suvidha 2.0 currently applies to every international arrival, whatever passport you hold.
Do the same rules apply when flying from Sydney to Delhi? Yes. The visa rules and arrival forms are the same, and Air India also flies non-stop from Sydney to Delhi.
Planning Your Melbourne to Delhi Trip
A Melbourne to Delhi trip comes down to three things: the right entry document for your passport, your arrival forms done before you fly, and the flight that suits you, non-stop or with a short layover.
Gaura Travel can help you compare Melbourne to Delhi flights, from Air India non-stop services to one-stop options, and book onward flights within India. Call our 24/7 team on 1300 359 463 to speak with a travel expert.