Authorities are investigating after suspicious packages were found at several foreign consulates and embassies across Melbourne and Canberra on Wednesday.

Key points: A package sent to the New Zealand consulate had "asbestos" written on the outside, an official said

A package sent to the New Zealand consulate had "asbestos" written on the outside, an official said A Pakistani official said she was "scared" and consulate staff were told to wash their hands

A Pakistani official said she was "scared" and consulate staff were told to wash their hands Emergency services have attended 10 separate consulate buildings in Melbourne

Footage showed emergency services workers attended the US, Greek, French, Italian, Indian, New Zealand, Pakistani, Spanish, South Korean and Swiss consulates in Melbourne.

They also attended an incident at the South Melbourne building where the Consulate General of Turkey is based.

The incidents came two days after the ABC understands the Argentinian consulate in Sydney was sent three bags containing asbestos and fibreglass.

One official from Pakistan's consulate in Melbourne told the ABC that she opened a suspicious envelope at 10:00am, which appeared to contain asbestos.

She told the ABC she was "scared of what might happen".

Firefighters outside the Greek consulate in Melbourne, which is believed to have received a suspicious package. ( ABC News: Karen Percy )

The official said she was told by the authorities to wash her hands.

One New Zealand official told the ABC their consulate received a similar envelope.

She said that inside the envelope were small plastic bags with what appeared to be concrete and asbestos.

Written on the outside of the bag was the word "asbestos".

A police officer was seen inside the New Zealand consulate wearing a face mask.

Sorry, this video has expired Foreign consulates across Melbourne were sent suspicious packages

AFP investigates packages across Melbourne and Canberra

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said it was aware of suspicious packages being delivered to embassies and consulates across Melbourne and Canberra.

"The packages are being examined by attending emergency services," a spokeswoman said.

"The circumstances surrounding these incidents are being investigated."

Sorry, this video has expired Suspicious substance found in package at Argentinian consulate in Sydney on January 7 ( Supplied: Channel 10 )

In a statement, Victoria Police said they were aware that "a number" of consulate offices had received suspicious packages.

"At this time we believe the matter is targeted and not impacting the general community," the statement said.

"Victoria Police will work to assist the AFP and other agencies including the [Metropolitan Fire Brigade] with the management and investigation of this issue."

The Italian consulate is believed to have received a suspicious package. ( ABC News: Karen Percy )

More than a dozen hazardous material alerts have been issued on the VicEmergency website.

A spokesman for the US consulate in Melbourne also confirmed it had received a suspicious package.

"We handled the package according to our standard procedures and in close coordination with local authorities — the Melbourne Fire Brigade and the Australian Federal Police — who are investigating the incident," he said.

However the US embassy in Canberra was not targeted with a package, a spokesperson 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 hazardous," she said.