Securing an Indian Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in Australia is a mandatory step for most 485 visa applicants and those transitioning to PR. In 2026, VFS Global remains the exclusive service provider for these consular services.
1. 2026 Indian PCC Fee Structure
As of May 2026, the total cost for an Indian PCC involves three separate components: the Government Consular Fee, the VFS Service Fee, and the ICWF (Indian Community Welfare Fund) levy.
| Fee Component | Amount (AUD) |
| Consular Fee | $36.00 |
| VFS Service Fee | $18.51 |
| ICWF Levy | $3.00 |
| Total Base Cost | $57.51 |
2. Additional Mandatory & Optional Costs
The base cost of $57.51 does not include credit card surcharges or the mandatory return courier fee if applying by post.
- Payment Surcharge: VFS Global Australia applies a 1.95% surcharge (including GST) on all total payments made via Visa or Mastercard.
- Courier Fee (Postal Applications): If you are not collecting your PCC in person, you must pay for a secure return courier. In 2026, this is approximately $15.00 – $22.00 depending on your location.
- SMS Alerts (Optional): $3.00 for real-time tracking updates sent to your phone.
- Photocopy Service (Optional): $0.20 per page at the VFS center.
3. Important 2026 Application Rule
Starting in early 2026, VFS Global introduced a strict “Digital First” policy for PCC applications.
- Mandatory Uploads: You must upload your photograph and signature online via the Passport Seva portal before attending your VFS appointment.
- Consequence: Postal applications received without a digital upload will be returned unprocessed, and the courier fee will not be refunded.
4. 2026 Processing Times
While fees are fixed, processing times can vary based on your jurisdiction and when your last passport was issued.
- Passport Issued in Australia: 3–5 business days (if no police verification in India is required).
- Passport Issued in India: Up to 28 business days (as police verification in your home state is mandatory).
5. Summary Checklist: What to Pay
When submitting your application in 2026, ensure your Credit Card Authorization Form or Money Order covers the following:
- Base Fee: $57.51
- Courier: ~$18.00 (if postal)
- Surcharge: 1.95% of the total amount.
