So I called IRCC because I was a little confused about the information on the website. Even though I had an Australian PCC from last year, the agent on the phone said I still needed to order a new one as it had to be within the last 6 months. I was also in the same predicament where I didn't really want to have to wait for a new certificate to come through before I sent off the application so what I did was paid for the certificate and then sent a copy of the receipts with my application and an explanation letter. Just to be even more safe I sent my 'expired' PCC's so they at least had something to go by (always good practice to show you're making an effort!)
Police certificates
The principal applicant and each family member 18 or older (who are not already Canadian citizens or permanent residents), must submit police certificates from the following country or countries with the application:
- Current country of residence if you (or they) have lived there for six months or more.
and
- The country where you (or they) resided for most of your (or their) life since the age of 18.
See
How to get a police certificate for up-to-date information on obtaining police certificates from any country.
Important: If you can’t provide the above police certificates with your application, you must submit a detailed explanation of why not and when you expect to be able to submit them. This will likely delay the processing of your application.
Note: Some countries need a consent form,
Request for Police Certificates/Clearances and Authorization for Release of Information (PDF, 58.59 KB), from IRCC to issue a police certificate. Find out if the country from which you need a
police certificate requires a consent form. If required, you should submit the consent form to us in place of the police certificate. We’ll assess the consent form and start the police certificate request.
If you're unsure on anything then just give them a call, they're helpful, Take her easy bud.