Indian woman's 'humiliating' visa battle to settle brother's estate in Ballarat

An Indian citizen living in Ballarat is speaking out about the 'humiliating' visa process she says she's endured while trying to settle her brother's estate in Australia.

Shipra Saini came to Australia in 2025 to care for her brother, who was battling a long illness. He died on November 1 last year, leaving Ms Saini in charge of his affairs.

Now, she's living in Ballarat while she tries to settle her brother's estate, a process she has found complicated, emotional and difficult. She has to apply for a death certificate, get a grant of probate, sell his Ballarat home and belongings, ship things back to India, open an estate bank account and pay off any expenses, then distribute the remaining assets.

But Ms Saini has had to jump over an extra hurdle; she is in a race to settle the estate before her visa expires and says she is battling a system that lacks compassion and empathy.