Staff have been evacuated as emergency crews respond to a number of incidents involving foreign consulates in Melbourne and Canberra.
Two fire trucks, a hazardous materials vehicle and police cars attended the Consulate-General of India on St Kilda Road early on Wednesday afternoon.
"Police and emergency services have responded to suspicious packages to embassies and consulates in ACT & VIC today," the Australian Federal Police said in a statement.
"The packages are being examined by attending emergency services. The circumstances are being investigated."
An AFP spokesperson said that as the matter is subject to further inquiries, they would not be providing further information.
Staff sat outside the building, telling reporters they had been told not to comment to reporters.
Similar action is believed to be underway at numerous other diplomatic offices, including those representing the United States, Germany, Italy, Spain and Korea.
The Victorian Emergency website lists more than 10 "hazardous material" events occurring across Melbourne, which began unfolding from about 1.00pm.
Addresses for the events include Market Street, Bourke Street, Middleton Lane, William Street, and St Kilda Road in Melbourne, Elgin Street at Carlton, and Yertchuk Avenue at Ashwood. Each location matches the address of a consulate.
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade is assisting Australian Federal Police, who is the lead agency in the investigation, an MFB spokeswoman said.
Manuela Erb, the honorary consul of the Consulate of Switzerland in Melbourne, told the ABC that they had received a suspicious package at their Ashwood address.
"It's believed to be non-hazardous, however, they're treating it as a hazardous," she said.
Emergency workers wearing chemical suits were seen entering some of the buildings.
Some of the events have subsequently been listed as "safe" and "under control".
