10 Indian-origin Australians honoured in 2026 King's Birthday List
Synopsis
Ten Indian-origin Australians have been recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours List — one of the largest such cohorts in recent memory. From a psychiatrist redefining child mental health to a community builder with 50 years of service in Victoria, the list captures how deeply India's diaspora has embedded itself in Australia's public life.
Key Takeaways
10 Indian-origin Australians featured in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours List , announced on 8 June 2026 .
The full list honours 948 Australians across medicine, science, education, community service, defence, and the arts.
Professor Valsamma Eapen received the highest honour among the group — Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) — for psychiatry and neurodevelopmental research.
Professor Balasubramaniam Venkatesh was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for critical care medicine.
Eight others received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for contributions spanning aged care, surgery, community leadership, and multicultural engagement.
The Indian High Commission in Australia publicly congratulated all ten honourees via a post on X .
Ten Indian-origin Australians have been recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours List, celebrated for distinguished contributions to medicine, psychiatry, community leadership, aged care, and multicultural engagement across Australia. The Indian High Commission in Australia extended congratulations to all ten honorees on Monday, 8 June 2026.
Overview of the Honours List
The 2026 King's Birthday Honours List recognises 948 Australians for outstanding service and achievement across community service, medicine, science, education, public administration, defence, sport, and the arts. Among the recipients, several prominent Indian-Australians were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and higher honours, reflecting the growing footprint of the Indian community in Australian public life.
Notable Indian-Australian Honourees
Leading child and adolescent psychiatrist Professor Valsamma Eapen has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) — one of the highest civilian distinctions — for her service to psychiatry, neurodevelopmental research, and child and adolescent mental health. She is internationally recognised for her work in ADHD, Tourette syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and early childhood mental health.
Intensive care specialist Professor Balasubramaniam Venkatesh has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his contributions to critical care medicine, infection control, and tertiary education.
Melbourne-based community leader Chethicad Oommen Thomas received the OAM for over 50 years of service to the Indian community of Victoria. He arrived in Australia in 1969, founded the Malayalee Association of Victoria in 1976, and helped establish cultural, charitable, and faith-based institutions that continue to serve Indian Australians today.
Contributions Across Medicine and Community Service
Melbourne-based general practitioner Dr Abhishek Kumar Verma was honoured with the OAM for service to medicine and medical administration, including leadership in clinical governance, medical education, healthcare regulation, and migrant and refugee health. Gold Coast-based plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Dilipkumar Gahankari also received the OAM for his surgical work.
Melbourne-based entrepreneur Saurabh Mishra received the OAM for community service, including volunteer work in palliative care, cultural preservation, and mentoring through organisations such as TiE Melbourne, as well as support for Hindustani classical music and healthcare innovation in Victoria.
Sydney-based community volunteer Noshir Irani was awarded the OAM for multicultural leadership and civic engagement in New South Wales. Community leader Dr Atul Kumar Garg was honoured for neighbourhood safety initiatives, multicultural engagement, and charitable work, including leadership in Neighbourhood Watch and Indian community organisations.
Queensland-based community leader Usha Kiran Chandra was recognised for her service through cultural festivals, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Queensland, and initiatives promoting multicultural participation. Sydney-based advocate Bijinder Dugal, co-founder of the AASHA Australia Foundation, received the OAM for service to aged welfare, with programs focused on active ageing, dementia awareness, elder rights education, and social inclusion.
Indian High Commission's Response
The Indian High Commission in Australia posted on X: 'The King's Birthday Honours are among Australia's highest civilian honours, recognising distinguished service and outstanding contribution to the nation. Heartiest congratulations to the 10 Australians of Indian origin recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours List.'
Significance for the Indian-Australian Community
The breadth of fields represented — from psychiatry and critical care to aged welfare and multicultural advocacy — underscores the diverse ways in which Indian-origin Australians have shaped the country's social fabric. This comes amid a broader recognition of diaspora contributions to Australian public life, with the Indian-Australian community now numbering among the country's fastest-growing migrant groups. The 2026 list marks one of the largest cohorts of Indian-origin recipients in recent memory, according to community reports.
Point of View
A critical care specialist, a 50-year community architect, and an aged-care advocate all recognised in the same list. Mainstream coverage tends to reduce diaspora honours to a headcount; the more important story is the depth of the roles these individuals have built — medical chairs, charitable trusts, multicultural councils — that will outlast any single award. The question worth asking is whether Australian policy and Indian diplomatic outreach are doing enough to channel this energy into formal bilateral frameworks, or whether it remains largely volunteer-driven.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the 10 Indian-origin Australians recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours List?
The ten honourees are Professor Valsamma Eapen (AO), Professor Balasubramaniam Venkatesh (AM), Dr Abhishek Kumar Verma (OAM), Dr Dilipkumar Gahankari (OAM), Noshir Irani (OAM), Chethicad Oommen Thomas (OAM), Usha Kiran Chandra (OAM), Dr Atul Kumar Garg (OAM), Saurabh Mishra (OAM), and Bijinder Dugal (OAM). They were recognised for contributions across medicine, psychiatry, community service, aged care, and multicultural engagement.
What is the King's Birthday Honours List?
The King's Birthday Honours List is one of Australia's highest civilian recognition programmes, announced annually to honour Australians for outstanding service and achievement. The 2026 list recognised 948 Australians across fields including medicine, science, education, defence, and community service.
What honour did Professor Valsamma Eapen receive and why?
Professor Valsamma Eapen was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her service to psychiatry, neurodevelopmental research, and child and adolescent mental health. She is internationally recognised for her work on ADHD, Tourette syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder.
Who is Chethicad Oommen Thomas and why was he honoured?
Chethicad Oommen Thomas is a Melbourne-based community leader who received the OAM for over 50 years of service to the Indian community of Victoria. He arrived in Australia in 1969, founded the Malayalee Association of Victoria in 1976, and helped build cultural, charitable, and faith-based institutions serving Indian Australians.
How did the Indian High Commission respond to the honours?
The Indian High Commission in Australia congratulated all ten honourees in a post on X on Monday, 8 June 2026, describing the King's Birthday Honours as among Australia's highest civilian distinctions.
