Nepali-origin Australian police officer Bikash Bharati wins national bravery award

Nepali-origin Australian police officer, Senior Constable Bikash Bharati, has received Australia's prestigious National Police Bravery Award. The Police Federation of Australia presented the honor at a ceremony held in Canberra on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Bharati's courage and dedication to duty in the federal parliament. Bharati serves with the New South Wales Police in the Barrenjoey Police Area Command.

He was among the first officers to arrive at the scene when gunfire broke out in a public place at Croydon Park in Sydney on October 5, 2025. While shots were still being fired, he moved a junior colleague to safety and rescued a member of the public.

Bharati moved to Australia from Nepal in 2015. He said he never imagined receiving such an honor when he came to this country, and that it is a matter of pride for him.

He said police work is never a solo effort, and that the support, training and trust of colleagues who stood by him during the incident made his courage possible. He said it is his good fortune to serve a country and community that welcomed him and gave him the chance to contribute.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Bharati showed extraordinary bravery, disregarding his own safety.