Australia Expands India Footprint with Consulate, UNSW Campus in Bengaluru

Karnataka strengthened its growing partnership with Australia on Friday with the inauguration of the Australian Consulate-General and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney Bengaluru campus, two landmark developments expected to accelerate collaboration in higher education, technology, innovation, trade and investment. The twin inaugurations also reinforce Bengaluru's position as a global hub for research and innovation under the expanding India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Inaugurating the UNSW Sydney Bengaluru campus at Manyata Tech Park, Karnataka Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said the university would provide students in the state access to world-class international education without leaving the country. He noted that UNSW Sydney, ranked among the world's top 20 universities, is one of Australia's leading institutions and the sixth foreign university to establish a campus in Karnataka.

Patil said the Bengaluru campus would follow the same curriculum, teaching methodology and academic standards as its Sydney counterpart, enabling students to earn internationally recognised degrees. The campus will initially offer undergraduate programmes in Business, Computer Science, and Data Science and Decisions, along with a one-year postgraduate programme in Cyber Security, with 30 students to be admitted in each programme. Scheduled to begin classes in August 2026, it is UNSW's first international campus and has been approved under the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations that permit foreign universities to establish campuses in India.

Located within one of India's largest technology parks, the campus is expected to promote industry-academia collaboration, offering students opportunities for internships, corporate research and exposure to emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced digital technologies.

Patil said Karnataka's strong research ecosystem, thriving IT industry, robust industrial base and vibrant startup culture have made it an attractive destination for globally reputed universities. Besides UNSW Sydney, institutions including the University of Liverpool, Lancaster University, La Trobe University, Flinders University and Imperial College London have already established campuses in the state, while several more are expected to follow.

Earlier in the day, Patil inaugurated the Australian Consulate-General on Cunningham Road, describing Australia's decision to establish its diplomatic mission in Bengaluru as recognition of the city's growing global importance. Although the mission has been operational since 2023, the inauguration marked the opening of its permanent premises. It is Australia's fifth diplomatic mission in India, after New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, and is headed by Consul-General Hilary McGeachy.

The minister noted that more than 40 Australian companies already operate in Bengaluru and that Australia has been a regular participant in Karnataka's flagship events, including the Global Investors Meet, Bengaluru Tech Summit and Space Expo. He also highlighted that the Australian states of Queensland and Victoria have established trade and investment offices in the city, reflecting the growing economic engagement between the two sides.

The new Consulate-General is expected to strengthen cooperation in technology, aerospace, biotechnology, education, research and innovation, while facilitating greater implementation of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA). Patil expressed confidence that the twin inaugurations would attract greater Australian investment, encourage more international universities to establish campuses in Karnataka, and deepen collaboration in advanced technologies, further cementing Bengaluru's status as a leading global destination for education, innovation and business.