How to get an Indian Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in Australia
Indian citizens living in Australia apply for an Indian Police Clearance Certificate through VFS Global, the only authorised provider of Indian consular, passport and visa services in Australia since 23 July 2026. You fill in the online form on the Passport Seva portal, upload your photo and signature, print and sign the form, then submit it in person at the VFS Indian Consular Application Centre that covers your state, with your original Indian passport, a copy of your Australian visa and proof of address. The certificate is issued after a fresh police verification at your Indian address, so processing times vary. An Indian PCC is issued in English, so it does not need translating for Home Affairs.
Where to apply
Since 23 July 2026, VFS Global is the only authorised provider of Indian consular, passport and visa services in Australia, at upgraded Indian Consular Application Centres:
| City | Address |
|---|---|
| Adelaide | Suite 8.01, Level 8, 111 Gawler Place, Adelaide SA 5000 |
| Brisbane | Suite 0201, Level 2, 127 Creek Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000 |
| Canberra | Level 6, 40 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT 2601 |
| Melbourne | Ground Floor, 324 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 |
| Perth | Ground Floor, 23 Barrack Street, Perth WA 6000 |
| Sydney | Level 9, 22–24 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000 |
Centres are open 8:30 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays. Apply at the centre of the consulate that covers the state you live in, and book an appointment online first.
Step by step
- Register on the Passport Seva portal (mportal.passportindia.gov.in/gpsp) and fill in the online PCC application. State that the certificate is for Australia and the purpose (for example, a visa).
- Upload your photograph and signature. The application is not accepted without them.
- Print and sign the form. Errors on the printed form cannot be corrected by hand, so check every detail first.
- Fill in the Personal Particular Form by hand.
- Book an appointment at the VFS centre for your state and bring your documents.
Documents to bring (Indian citizens)
- The printed and signed online application form, and the signed checklist
- The Personal Particular Form
- Two recent photographs, 35 × 45 mm, taken in the last 6 months
- Your current Indian passport in original, kept until processing is complete
- A copy of your current Australian visa
- Proof of address in your state; a new Indian address proof if it differs from your passport
- If your appearance has changed considerably, Form J attested by a JP or a notary (NSW residents: by a notary public only)
- If you married after your passport was issued, or your spouse's name is not in your passport: a copy of your marriage certificate
- If you divorced and remarried: the divorce decree and your current marriage certificate
How long it takes
There is no fixed time: the certificate is issued only after a fresh police verification at your Indian address. Apply early, especially if your visa application has a deadline.
Does an Indian PCC need translating?
No. An Indian Police Clearance Certificate is issued in English, so Home Affairs does not need a translation of it. Translation matters for your other documents that are not in English, for example a birth certificate in Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil or another regional language.
If you apply from Australia, Home Affairs asks for the translator's NAATI practitioner number on each translation. See translation requirements for Australian visas.
FAQ
Where do I apply for an Indian PCC in Australia?
At the VFS Global Indian Consular Application Centre that covers the state you live in. Since 23 July 2026 there are centres in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, open 8:30 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. Book an appointment online first.
How long does an Indian PCC take?
It varies case by case, because the certificate is issued only after a fresh police verification at the Indian address in your application.
Do I need to translate my Indian PCC for my Australian visa?
No. The certificate is in English. Translation is only needed for documents that are not in English.
Do I need to leave my passport?
Yes. The checklist asks for your current Indian passport in original, which is kept until processing is complete.
Sources
- High Commission of India, Canberra, CPV Service notification (22 July 2026)
- VFS Global, Police Clearance Certificate checklist (Australia, June 2026)
- VFS Global, Indian services in Australia
Rules change. Check with the authority you are applying to before you submit. We re-read these pages regularly and log changes below.
Change log
- 4 November 2026: First version. Since 23 July 2026, VFS Global runs Indian consular services in Australia from upgraded centres in six cities (High Commission of India notice of 22 July 2026).