chinese travel australia

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China Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme

The ADS scheme allows Chinese tourists to travel to Australia in guided groups.

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Status:  Open

About the ADS scheme

China’s ADS scheme has reopened. This follows the Chinese Government’s announcement on 10 August 2023 that Australia was again included on a list of countries for the scheme.

Austrade manages the ADS scheme in Australia with the Department of Home Affairs and Tourism Australia. We look forward to welcoming the return of Chinese group tours as part of the ADS scheme.

A phased approach to reopening

Austrade is planning a staged resumption of the previously paused ADS scheme. It will have 3 phases:

• Activation phase – short-term response to re-establish processes and reactivate previously approved inbound tour operators (ITOs) and so that ADS tour groups can commence visiting Australia.
• Transition phase – medium-term response measures where lessons from the activation phase and outcomes from a review of the scheme inform changes to the future administration of the scheme. New ITOs can apply to be included in the scheme.
• Implementation phase – long-term response measures where the framework, protocols and requirements are reflecting both government and industry requirements which are developed, consulted upon and implemented.

How to reactivate your approved status

ITOs previously approved under the ADS scheme are eligible to:

• apply to reactivate their approved status
• operate ADS tour groups.

To apply to reactivate:

• email ads@austrade.gov.au to request a reactivation form
• complete and return the form along with supporting information.

To be considered for reactivation, ITOs will need to have maintained the relevant requirements to be an approved operator, such as membership of a relevant industry organization and continue to meet the Fit and Proper Person requirements.

View the list of reactivated ITOs at  Approved inbound tour operators .

New ITO applicants

New ITOs can apply for the ADS scheme. To apply:

• email  ads@austrade.gov.au  to request a new ITO application form
• complete and return the form to us with supporting information.

View the list of reactivated and new ITOs at Approved inbound tour operators .

Tour guides

Tour guides (TGs) previously approved under the ADS scheme are eligible to continue to work with ADS approved ITOs.

Previously approved ADS TGs who need to update their contact details can do so by emailing ads@austrade.gov.au.

Austrade is not currently approving any new tour guide applications. However, if you are a tour guide and you would like to work in the ADS scheme as a guide you can.

Unapproved tour guides can work under the ADS scheme provided they:

• agree to register their details with the approved ADS ITO that is managing the tour; and
• follow the conditions set out in Section 5 of the ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics - Obligations of ADS Tour Guides .

The ITO must record the unapproved tour guide’s details in the Austrade ADS tour guide register included in your approval email and provide Austrade with the register when asked as part of our compliance monitoring checks.

Note: Austrade is continuing to monitor and undertake ADS code compliance activities. This will include compliance projects involving approved ADS inbound tour operators and tour guides.

ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics  

Approved ITOs are required to abide by the ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics .

The Code sets out the minimum quality standards and requirements for ADS tours.

The role of the Australian Government

Austrade administers Australia’s ADS scheme with the Department of Home Affairs and Tourism Australia.

Austrade’s role is to undertake assessment and approval of ITOs in the ADS scheme in Australia and monitor compliance with the ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics.

The Department of Home Affairs manages the immigration requirements of the scheme and is responsible for approving outbound tour operators (OTOs) to sell ADS tour packages and apply for ADS visas on the tourists’ behalf.

Tourism Australia  is responsible for marketing Australia to Chinese consumers and for working with OTOs to equip them with the knowledge and skills to create and sell high quality tour packages to Australia.

Email  ads@austrade.gov.au .

Telephone: 1800 048 155 (during business hours 9am – 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday, except public holidays).

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Travel between China and Australia tipped to rebound rapidly as Chinese airlines ramp up flights

Industry hopes China’s reopening might bring wider benefits for travellers with more airfare price competition

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Chinese airlines are ramping up flights to Australia as Covid restrictions ease, boosting the prospects for a rapid rebound in travel between the two nations.

Airports said the market was dynamic with carriers large and small restarting routes dormant during the pandemic years, with more flights likely to be added as demand picks up.

Lengthy quarantine requirements for travellers to China since 2020 saw passenger flights largely stopped between Australian cities and mainland China. Melbourne, for instance, went from about 70 flights a week to just one while routes between Brisbane and China (excluding Hong Kong) ceased.

Tourism Australia said China was Australia’s biggest source of visitors in pre-Covid times, with 1.4 million people spending $12.4bn a year.

For Sydney airport, three airlines – China Southern, China Eastern and Xiamen Air – maintained one or two weekly passenger flights between Sydney and the mainland during the Covid period. Freight flights continued at the rate of about three a day.

With China now ditching most Covid-linked controls, those three carriers have begun flying as many as three daily flights, a Sydney airport spokesperson said.

“Since the border has reopened with China, these three airlines have confirmed additional flights are coming and a fourth airline, Air China, has announced it will be offering flights to Sydney,” the spokesperson said.

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China Southern will ramp up its flights to the southern city of Guangzhou to a daily passage from 30 January, while China Eastern will increase its Sydney-Shanghai flights to three a week from 19 January.

Air China, the national carrier, will restart Sydney flights after a three-year absence from 3 February with an initial offering of three flights a week.

Xiamen Air has doubled its flights between Sydney and the southern port city of Xiamen to two this week, and will double it again by 29 January.

Xiamen Air was the only Chinese carrier to keep flying to Melbourne during the Covid years, maintaining a single weekly flight. Pre-pandemic, the Victorian capital hosted more than 70 weekly direct flights to the mainland, all operated by Chinese carriers.

On Tuesday, Air China began selling seats on direct Melbourne-Beijing flights that it will resume operating three times a week from February, a spokesperson for Melbourne airport said.

China Southern was also selling Melbourne-Guangzhou direct flights from the end of January.

Sichuan Airlines began marketing to its Chinese-reading audience on its WeChat messaging channel on Monday evening a twice-weekly flight between Melbourne and the south-west city of Chengdu from 31 January. Melbourne airport could not immediately confirm the plans.

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“Given Victoria’s large Chinese community, we expect the resumption of flights to destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou will prove extremely popular with travellers in both directions,” a Melbourne airport spokesperson said.

Flight Centre said China’s reopening would lead to a “strong rebound” in visitor numbers that would bring wider benefits for travellers.

“The Chinese airlines that were servicing Australia were very price-focused,” a Flight Centre spokesperson said, adding: “Their return may well lead to sharper pricing than what we are typically seeing of late.”

Inbound travel will probably be dominated by Chinese students and also tourists keen to get out of China after years of rolling lockdowns. Outbound travel will probably see many people seeking to visit friends and relatives, although visa processing delays may see tourism slower to resume, airport officials said.

Brisbane airport previously landed about 14 weekly flights between the Queensland capital and mainland China. There are no firm plans yet to resume flights, an airport spokesperson said, adding 500,000 Chinese visited Queensland in 2019 making China the third-largest market after New Zealand and the US.

China Eastern said its Melbourne-to-Shanghai service would resume from 24 January on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, rising to four a week from 1 February.

Tourism Australia had retained an “always on” approach even when travel was not possible “to ensure Australia remains top of mind for the return of two-way quarantine-free travel”, a spokesperson said.

Qantas was approached for comment.

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A checklist for travel between Australia and China

19 November 2021:  On 1 October 2021, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Australia will reopen its international border from November, giving long-awaited freedoms to vaccinated citizens and their relatives.

AustCham China presents a user-friendly checklist for travel between Australia and China for citizens and permanent resident holders.

STEP 1: How to return home

If you’re trying to return to Australia, we encourage you to:

• Continue to contact your airline or travel agent for available flights. ( Note: QANTAS is yet to announce the resumption of flight routes to and from Australia and China) Read more
• Familarise yourself with COVID-19: Trying to get home

STEP 2: What do i need to do to return home

Fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents aged 12 years and over can now travel to and from Australia. Read more  {Note: Sinovac Coronavac and Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV (for ages 18-60 only) is recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)}

Guidance on foreign vaccination certificates. Read more

Each state and territory manage their own borders, international passenger arrival caps and quarantine programs. Before you return to Australia, read about the COVID-19 restrictions in place for the state or territory you’ll be flying in to. Read more

STEP 3: Complete the Australia Travel Declaration

If you’re planning to use a foreign vaccination certificate to prove your vaccination status, you’ll need to complete the Australia Travel Declaration  (ATD) at least 72 hours prior to departure for Australia.

STEP 4: Pre-departure COVID-19 Testing

• Show evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR or RT-PCR test within 3 days of checking in for your flight from China to Australia
• You don’t need to be re-tested at transit points unless your airline or transit point requires it.

STEP 5:  Back on Terra Firma

Congratulations! You are back in Australia and ready to enter society, depending on which State you land in of course. In States that do not require quarantine, typically, a negative PCR test is required within 24 hours of arriving and again several days later. Make sure to check the details based on the State that you will arrive in to.  

You might wish to download a COVID app that helps identify people exposed to COVID-19.  The Australian Government COVIDSafe app is an option, but seemingly this appears to have been replaced by QR code check-ins.  Similar to China’s “Health Kit” (Jiankangbao), the QR code scan system works well.  They are a reliable way to track where you have been, you’re constantly reminded to use it and you get notifications if you visited an exposure site.

From the list below, click on the location to download the App that supports QR scanning for the respective location you require to use it in;

New South Wales

Northern Territory

South Australia

Western Australia

Returning from Australia to the PRC

So, you have enjoyed your stay in Australia and now wish to return to the PRC.  The following assumes you are in possession of a valid PRC visa.

Singapore Airlines (SIA), Cathay Pacific, Air Nuigini, and Philippine Airlines offer flights from Australia to either the PRC or Hong Kong via their respective hubs. SIA has launched a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) services to Singapore from Australia (among other countries), allowing quarantine-free travel to Singapore for eligible vaccinated travellers. 

If you’re  fully vaccinated , from November 1 2021 you’ll be able to travel overseas without an exemption. You’ll need to provide evidence of your vaccination status when you check-in at the airport.  Read more 

Based on the premise of having been fully innoculated by a Chinese vaccine, present the foreign vaccine certificates (as mentioned in step 2) at the check-in counter.  If you have been innoculated in Australia then you must present a Australian-issued International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC)  

Show evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR or RT-PCR test(s) within 3 days of checking in for your flight.

It is impossible to fly into Beijing as a final destination and as the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics approaches prevention and control measures are becoming more strict.  As of the date of writing, those from overseas shall undergo “14 days of centralized quarantine + 7 days of home quarantine + 7 days of self-health monitoring”. They are obliged to take a PCR test in hospital on the 23rd and 28th days from entering China upon presenting their certificate of quarantine completion.

Getting help during coronavirus (COVID-19) – Help adding overseas vaccinations – Services Australia

Australian Immunisation Register – Overseas immunisations – Services Australia

Getting help during coronavirus (COVID-19) – How to get proof – Services Australia

* Disclaimer: AustCham China has employed best endeavours with relation to compiling a helpful travel guide between Australia and China, but makes no guarantee as to its authenticity.  The aforementioned information is subject to change.

• Minister for Trade and Tourism
• Special Minister of State

Senator the Hon Don Farrell

• Media Releases
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Australia set to welcome back Chinese group tours

• Media release

Today Australia has been reincluded on China’s list of approved outgoing group travel destinations.

Australia’s return to China’s Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme, for the first time since borders re-opened, is welcome news for our nation’s tourism operators, and will provide a boost for the visitor economy, further supporting the sector’s ongoing recovery.

This is another positive step towards the stabilisation of our relationship with China.

Prior to the pandemic, China was the largest and most valuable inbound traveller market for the Australian visitor economy.

In 2019, more than 1.4 million holiday makers from China spent $2.1 billion in Australia, including about $581 million spent by ADS group travel participants.

Australia remains a premium tourism destination for Chinese travellers, and we are looking forward to welcoming back group tours.

Today’s announcement follows the recent launch in China of Tourism Australia’s successful $125 million Come and Say G’Day campaign.

The campaign kicked off on 29 June in China, and is already proving to be a success, with the television commercial receiving over 66 million views across all channels.

We know millions of prospective Chinese visitors are being inspired to Come and Say G’day and we look forward to welcoming more of them to Australia as the ADS resumes.

The Australian Government will now work with Chinese counterparts to facilitate ADS travel.

Media enquiries

• Minister's office: 02 6277 7420
• DFAT Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555

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Australia has new covid travel restrictions on travellers from china. here’s what you need to know.

Australia introduces mandatory testing for Chinese travellers

Australia is among a number of countries to impose travel conditions, including mandatory testing, for travellers arriving from China after a surge in cases across the country.

China gave up on its zero-COVID policy after protests and major disruptions to the country’s businesses and factories.

The pivot away from these strict restrictions, which included quarantine for inbound travellers and lockdowns, has seen a spike in cases with funeral homes reportedly struggling to keep up with demand.

That’s prompted countries including the US and UK to introduce conditions on travellers arriving from China.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re arriving in Australia.

Mandatory testing

Health Minister Mark Butler announced Sunday that from Thursday this week, travellers boarding flights originating in China would need to take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours of travel to Australia.

They will be required to show evidence of a negative result before checking in and arriving at the airport and they may need to show it again when they arrive in Australia.

The conditions apply to Australian citizens and other travellers arriving from Hong Kong and Macau in addition to those from mainland China who come for work or leisure.

Qantas advises on its website international travellers should count back 48 hours from the scheduled departure time of their first international flight to meet requirements.

The tests accepted by the Australian government include a PCR test, a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) or a rapid antigen test (RAT) taken by or under the supervision of an authorised person.

Passengers can get pre-departures tests from authorised pathology clinics which will provide a form that must include full name, date of birth, when and where sample collection was taken, name of laboratory, test method use, test result and signature of medical practitioner providing the certificate.

The Australian Department of Health states the test result forms do not have to be in English.

Start date of requirements

The requirement will begin from 12.01 am Thursday January 5, before The National Immigration Administration of China will start taking passport applications on January 8.

People arriving before then will be exempt from the conditions.

People transiting through China do not need a test.

However, if they were to stay in China, Hong Kong or Macau for several days, they would need to show evidence of a negative test result.

Children under 12 years old, airline crews and people on emergency medical flights are among those exempt.

For those whose flights were delayed, the health department states they will not need a new test.

But if a flight is cancelled or rescheduled, passengers will need a new negative test result 48 hours before the re-scheduled flight.

What happens with a positive test result?

If passengers have contracted COVID-19 while in China, Hong Kong or Macau, they will need to provide medical evidence that the infection was in the last 30 days and confirm they are no longer infectious or symptomatic.

They must also note the day of the first positive test result, which must be at least seven days before the date of the medical certificate.

The Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said on Sunrise on Monday, Australia was expecting a significant increase in arrivals when international travel from China resumes from January 8.

Australia’s international student market and tourism industry heavily rely on China and were impacted during the COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Butler said he was aware of concern from business groups about adding conditions on Chinese arrivals, but he defended the restrictions, saying the health of the general population needed to protected.

“I want to stress that we warmly welcome the resumption of travel between our two countries,” Butler said.

“I know that hundreds of thousands of Australia of Chinese descent in particular are really looking forward to the opportunity to be able to reunite with family and with friends who they have no seen other than on a screen for months, if not, years.”

Disagreements over requirements

The World Health Organisation has urged Chinese officials to share real-time data on COVID-19 cases to help the rest of the world form effective responses to outbreaks.

The health minister said he and the leaders of other countries placed conditions on China because they were concerned about the lack of data on new variants and vaccination rate that could go unreported.

Butler said most other countries across the globe were providing this information and while there was no evidence of an imminent threat to Australia, he made the decision regarding China out of “an abundance of caution”.

“We just want more information on what’s happening in this very fast-moving situation in China,” he said.

But Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has told the government he sees no need to impose restrictions on Chinese travellers.

In a letter dated December 31, he wrote the conditions would be “inconsistent with the current national approach to the management of COVID-19 and disproportionate to the risk”.

He instead recommended the government consider enhancing surveillance capabilities, such as testing plane wastewater or collecting voluntary samples from arrivals.

However, infectious disease expert Robert Booy agreed with the government’s decision, saying on Sunrise the health minister was correct to say better surveillance was needed.

“There are no doubts that great minds differ,” Booy said.

“The potential for a new subvariant is truly there in China, with tens of millions getting infected.

“You’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t. They’ve made a reasonable choice.”

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Chinese Foreign Minister to Visit Australia as Ties Warm

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(Bloomberg) -- China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to travel to Australia next week, the highest level visit from Beijing in almost seven years and the latest sign of warming ties after years of frosty diplomacy.

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Wang will arrive in Canberra on March 20 for talks with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in his first visit to the country since 2017. The two senior officials will meet for the seventh Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue, which was postponed for years during a period of tense relations.

“It’s Australia’s view that a stable bilateral relationship would enable both countries to pursue respective national interests, if we navigate our differences wisely,” Wong said in a statement on Wednesday. The Australian official said that dialog was important to ensure a constructive relationship with China and to support “regional peace and stability.”

Wang’s visit will take place against the backdrop of a review by Beijing to potentially remove punitive tariffs on Australian wine, a move suggesting that a three-year trade dispute is nearing resolution. Beijing has already scrapped trade curbs on Australia’s barley, coal and timber and has eased restrictions on beef exports.

Ties between Australia and China worsened following a decision by Canberra in 2018 to ban technology giant Huawei from its 5G network, a move which was then followed by a number of Western nations. Relations further deteriorated in 2020 when then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an international investigation into the origins of Covid-19.

Beijing retaliated with curbs on Australian products. Exports of barley, beef and wine were targeted with trade barriers including tariffs as high as 218% on Australian wine. The restrictions were devastating for Australian winemakers, given that sales to China yielded A$1.1 billion ($728 million) in 2019.

The election of Australia’s center-left Labor government in 2022 saw the steady warming of relations with China, including a resumption of high-level meetings. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with President Xi Jinping in November, months after barley tariffs were withdrawn. The wine tariffs are expected to be removed soon.

Questions recently arose on the sustainability of improving ties after a Beijing court handed down a suspended death sentence to Australian writer Yang Hengjun for espionage in February. Officials from both sides are adamant that Yang’s case won’t impact broader relations.

Wong said on Wednesday that human rights, consular matters and regional security would be among the matters raised during her meeting with China’s Wang.

“Australia’s approach is consistent; we seek to cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest,” Wong said.

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China Expands Visa-Waiver Program List: More Countries Added

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

June 17th, 2024 at 6:06 AM EDT

For years, China has been the gift that kept on giving to global tourism, sending millions of its citizens to explore, shop and snap selfies worldwide. Now, it's telling global travelers, "Your turn!" And if visa hassles are a deal-breaker, the country knows that removing them can only sweeten the deal.

Peden Doma Bhutia

China is opening its doors even wider to the world. Australia is now the latest country to join China’s expanding visa waiver program.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang made the announcement on Monday during an official visit to Australia, marking a significant step in strengthening ties between the two nations.

“We agreed to provide each other with reciprocal access to five-year multiple entry visas for tourism, business, and visiting family members to better facilitate personal exchanges. China will also include Australia in its visa waiver program,” stated Premier Qiang.

Australia’s national airline Qantas announced last month it was leaving Mainland China just six months after returning to the market. Speaking to Skift, the carrier’s International CEO said “Getting out of China at that point was the right call from our perspective.”

China has yet to detail the specifics of the new visa waiver arrangement, but the announcement closely follows a similar decision concerning New Zealand passport holders.

Just last Thursday, Premier Qiang declared visa-free entry for New Zealand citizens. “China is ready to discuss with New Zealand to introduce more measures to facilitate two-way travel,” Qiang mentioned, highlighting China’s move to ease travel restrictions.

In the past year, China has incrementally broadened its visa-free access to various countries.

China’s Visa-Free Travel Initiatives

In November, China introduced a one-year trial for visa-free travel for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. In March, China expanded this program to include Ireland, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

China initially announced the visa-free policy for a trial period until November 30 this year, but has now extended it until December 31, 2025.

With the recent additions of Australia and New Zealand, the number of nations enjoying visa-free entry to China now totals 14. Passport holders from these countries can stay in China for up to 15 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit purposes.

China also signed a 30-day mutual visa exemption agreement with Singapore and a similar arrangement with Thailand, effective March 1, allowing visa-free visits of up to 30 days per entry. It has also eased visa requirements for U.S. citizens visiting the country on tourist visas, removing the need to provide proof of round-trip air tickets, hotel reservations, itineraries, or invitation letters.

The Chinese government has also relaxed entry regulations for tourists arriving via cruise ships. As of May 15, such visitors can stay in China visa-free for up to 15 days.

China’s Inbound Recovery Lags Behind

The initiatives are part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate China’s tourism sector, which has been struggling to regain its pre-pandemic momentum.

China’s inbound recovery has been gradual. In 2023, China welcomed 35.5 million foreign visitors, which is only about 36% of the 97.7 million recorded in 2019.

However, Chinese online travel agency Trip.com Group notes promising signs of resurgence. During the Lunar New Year in February, the group reported a tenfold increase in inbound travel bookings compared to the previous year, with significant interest from Japan, the U.S., South Korea, Malaysia, Australia, the U.K., Canada, Vietnam, Germany and Thailand.

Moreover, Trip.com Group noted that international travelers are extending their stays in China. The average duration during the Spring Festival increased to just over two days, compared to under two days the previous year. The booking window for travel to China had also expanded from six days in 2023 to 39 days in 2024.

More Inbound Boosters

To further enhance the travel experience for international tourists, China has strengthened partnerships with major payment organizations like Ant Group and Mastercard. The International Consumer Friendly Zones program in Shanghai, has been launched in collaboration with 12 overseas payment partners of Alipay+ and other major international card organizations.

It aims to make transactions smoother for global travelers.

Statistics from the first quarter of this year show a threefold increase in foreign travelers to China compared to the same period in 2023. During this time, China issued 466,000 visas and documents to foreigners, marking a 119% year-on-year increase, and nearly 1.99 million foreigners entered China visa-free, a 266% year-on-year rise.

Highlighting the economic potential of inbound tourism, Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group, stated, “China’s inbound tourism has huge potential, and if it is raised to the international median of 1.5% of GDP, it could yield a growth of over RMB 1.3 trillion ($179 billion).”

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Photo credit: China’s inbound recovery has been gradual. XiXinXing / Getty Images

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Australia Visitor Visa guide for Chinese citizens

Australia is a perfect destination for travelers from China looking for beautiful beaches and relaxing nature landscapes. But before packing your bag and departing from Beijing or Shanghai, ensure you have an Australia Visitor Visa to enter the country.

Luckily, you can count on our service for a smooth application to get an Australia Visitor Visa . The following information will explain the visa requirements, how to apply, and if an Australian Embassy appointment is necessary.

Check below everything you need to know to get your visa hassle-free .

Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Australia?

Yes, Chinese travelers need a visa to access Australian territory. If you’re visiting the country for tourism or business purposes, you can complete most application steps online.

If you’re traveling to work or to live permanently in Australia, you must apply for a visa through the Australian Embassy .

What should I apply for: The Australian Visitor Visa or the Australian eVisa?

The country offers three entry documents for tourism:

Australian ETA: an Electronic Travel Authority available for a few countries and can be applied for 100% online. Unfortunately, Chinese travelers aren't eligible for the ETA at the moment.

Australia eVisitor Visa: an electronic visa with fewer requirements than the Visitor Visa and with an online application process. This visa is also currently unavailable for Chinese passport holders.

Australia Visitor Visa: The option available for most nationals. You submit the application form online, but the process entails an appointment at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) or an Australian Biometrical Collections Centre (ABCC). Sometimes, a phone call interview is required.

All three have different application processes and eligible countries. Only the Australia Visitor Visa is available for Chinese citizens , so this is the option you must apply for.

We are here to make your travel experience easier, and offer comprehensive support for your application for an Australia Visitor Visa. We will assist you throughout the entire process, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free application.

General rules for the Australia Visitor Visa

It’s essential to learn what you can and cannot do during your stay in Australia with this visa to avoid any problems. Pay attention to the allowed activities:

What you can do with an Australia Visitor Visa:

• Travel to Australia for tourism and to go on a cruise.
• Visit friends and family (if you’re sponsored by immediate family members that live in Australia).
• Do business activities like negotiating contracts or attending trade fairs or conferences.
• Study or do a short course for a maximum of three months in Australia.

What you cannot do as an Australia Visitor Visa holder

• Work or sell goods.
• Participate in a trade fair or conference if the organizer pays you.
• Study or do a course for longer than three months.
• Travel to Australia for health reasons, such as medical treatment.

How long is the Australian Visitor Visa valid for Chinese citizens?

It’s a Multiple Entry visa, valid for 1 year after arrival . This means you can travel to Australia as often as you want during the validity period.

It allows you to stay in Australia for 3, 6, or 12 months each time. The Australian consular officers will decide your permitted stay according to your background.

Australia Visitor Visa requirements for Chinese visitors

All visa applications have requirements and it’s no different with the Visitor Visa. When applying for the Visitor Visa with us, you will receive a detailed manual guide and a complete list of all necessary documents according to your situation. Here are the general Australia Visitor Visa requirements for Chinese nationals :

• A copy of your current valid passport showing your photo, personal details, passport issue and expiration dates, and immigration stamps.
• A copy of your ID (if you have one).
• Applicant’s photo - Use our digital passport photo service if you don’t have one.

The Australian government may ask you for additional documents, such as:

• Proof of financial means to support your trip, such as bank statements or financial assets.
• Documents showing ties with your home country, like proof that you’re employed or studying.
• Travel itinerary or any evidence of planned tourism activities in Australia.
• Letters from your relative or friend in Australia inviting you to visit.
• A police certificate.
• Family register and composition form (if applicable).

When applying with us, we’ll send you the complete list of required documents for your application and ensure your form matches all your documents information. It’s important to know that if your documents are in a language different from English, you will need to translate them .

More about Australia Visitor Visa financial requirements

You must provide proof of financial support to show that you can support yourself during your stay in Australia and that you have ties to India that would motivate you to return after your trip.

You can provide the following documents to support your financial situation and ties to China :

• Three months of bank statements stamped by your bank
• Your pay slips or employment contract
• Tax records, income tax returns documents, or credit card statements
• Proof of owning a house or rental contract
• Proof that you are studying at a school, college, or university in India
• A letter from your employer

More about Australia Visitor Visa passport requirements

Ensure your passport meets the following criteria:

• Be valid for at least three months after your arrival in Australia.
• Be in good condition.

Australia Visitor Visa requirements for children in China

Chinese children also need a visa to travel to Australia. Minors' applications must include the following documents:

• Your birth certificate stating both parents' names or a family book with both parents' names.
• ID cards of both parents or Adoption papers with the ID of the guardians.
• If they're traveling alone or with only one parent , they must include the Form 1229 in the application, which consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years. This form must be completed and signed by the parents or legal guardians and be along with a copy of their driver's license or passport (or other identification with signature and photo).
• If they're traveling without a parent or guardian and not staying with a relative or organized tour , besides the form 1229, they must also include the Form 1257 - Undertaking Declaration . This form must be completed and signed by the person providing accommodation and responsible for you during your stay in Australia. The parents or legal guardians must nominate this person.

Australia Visitor Visa photo requirements

Ensure your photo for the Australian Visitor Visa application meets these requirements:

• The photo must be taken within the last six months and in color.
• The photo's background must be plain white or light-colored and free from shadows or reflections.
• You must face the camera directly with your head centered in the frame.
• Your facial expression must be neutral, with your eyes open and mouth closed.
• Head coverings aren’t allowed unless worn for medical or religious reasons.
• If you wear glasses, the lenses should be free from any reflections.
• The photo size should be 45mm high x 35mm wide (passport size).

Remember, you can get your photo 100% government-compliant and stress-free using our digital passport photo service .

Australia Visitor Visa application: How to apply in China

The Australia visa application is quick and easy. Applicants must follow these steps:

Step 1: Fill out the simplified visa application form on our website or our app with your personal details.

Step 2: Check if all your information is correct. If there is a mistake, the government may reject your visa process. Then, you must pay the visa fees.

Step 3: Upload the necessary documents and click the ‘Submit’ button. Attend the biometric appointment at the Australian Visa Application Centre as instructed.

Then wait for the Australian government’s answer, receive your visa, and get ready to travel!

The appointment at the Australian Visa Application Centre

Generally, the Australia Visitor Visa application requires you to give your biometric information at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) or an Australian Biometrical Collections Centre (ABCC) and have a medical examination. Don’t worry! We’ll help you schedule the appointment and give you all the necessary instructions.

We’ll also send you an email with the documents you will need to bring. The documents must be placed in a manila or transparent plastic folder.

How to prepare for the Australian Visitor Visa interview in China

A visa interview is not mandatory, but sometimes the Australian government may require it. In this case, the authorities will call you unannounced, interviewing you by telephone . Usually, it’s a short 5-minute call just to check your travel purpose.

Otherwise, a formal interview could take place if the immigration officers have serious concerns about your situation. If that happens to you, don’t worry, we’ll provide a detailed manual guide with tips for the interview. However, here is some advice, helpful whether you have a phone call or an in-person interview.

• Have all your documents ready and organized in your folder.
• During the interview, be an active listener, and don’t give short answers. Use this opportunity to tell the authorities the context you could not write on the form and will convince the visa officer of your travel intentions.
• Be clear that you have enough reasons to return to your country so the visa officer will understand that you don’t have motives to stay permanently in Australia.
• You must provide evidence about your economic and family situation, like bank statements, salary, work, and employment documents. You can provide study documents if you are a student. You also need to give information about your family ties and properties.

Tips for a flawless Australia Visitor Visa application

Here are some extra tips to increase your chances of getting an approved visa to visit Australia:

• Apply early: It's recommended to apply for your Australia Visitor Visa at least two months before your travel date to ensure sufficient processing time.
• Check eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for the Visitor Visa (subclass 600), including having a valid passport, no criminal convictions, and sufficient funds for your stay.
• Complete the application accurately: All the information you provide on the application must be accurate and match the details on your passport. Any discrepancies could result in delays or a rejected application.
• Submit all required documents: Submit all the required documents, including a valid passport, photo, and any additional forms or information required for your specific situation.
• Include a cover letter: A well-written cover letter can help explain your purpose for visiting Australia and provide additional details that may not be clear from the application.
• Be honest: Ensure that all the information you provide is truthful and accurate, as providing false information can result in a rejected application and may affect your ability to apply for a visa in the future.
• Get professional assistance: Count on our iVisa experts to guide you throughout the visa process and review all the information for an error-free application.

Australia Visitor Visa fee: Cost of the visa for Chinese citizens

When applying with our guidance, this Australian visa for citizens of China costs USD $326.66 . This is the total visa cost, including the government visa fee of US$101.

What is the Australian Visitor Visa processing time in 2023?

With our easy process, you’ll have two visa stages to consider. The first one, our application processing, entails completing the visa application, reviewing all the information, and scheduling the appointment to provide your biometric information at a VAC.

• iVisa processing time for Chinese citizens: 30 days .

After you provide your biometric information, pass through the medical examination, and submit all the required documents, the Australian government will process your visa request.

• Australia government processing time: It takes 28 days on average (90% of applications). This timeframe may vary according to the embassy’s workload.

Benefits of getting your Australia Visitor Visa with us

We simplify travel for you! Here are some benefits we offer for a smooth Australia Visitor Visa application:

• 100% government-compliant: Our team of iVisa Experts will carefully review your answers and ensure they comply 100% with the government requirements.
• Unlimited access to our experts: You’ll have unlimited access to our team of experts who can guide you through the entire application process and answer any questions.
• Simplified application form: Our simplified application form is 50% shorter than the government's form and uses clear and straightforward questions, making it feel like filling out a short survey.
• Apply at your own pace: Complete the online form at your own pace, make changes whenever you want, and save your progress if you need to take a break.
• Step-by-step guide manual: To help you navigate the difficult sections of the application form, you'll receive a step-by-step guide manual in PDF format that provides all the tips you need to ensure a successful application process and get your visa without issues.

My Australian Visitor Visa in China was denied. What should I do?

You can appeal the decision or reapply with stronger evidence and a better understanding of the application process. When reapplying, you must declare that your previous application was denied. The previous adverse decision will almost always affect your eligibility for future visas.

Contact us for more information about the Australia Visitor Visa

If you still have questions about the Australia visa for citizens of China or any other services, please contact our customer service team or email [email protected] . They’re always available to assist you if you face any issues.

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Australia's Albanese, China's Li hold talks on trade, rights

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Chinese premier lands in Australia on first such visit in 7 years

Chinese Premier Li Qiang waves on his arrival at Adelaide Airport, Australia, Saturday, June 15, 2024. Li is on a relations-mending mission with panda diplomacy, rock lobsters and China’s global dominance in the critical minerals sector high on the agenda during his four day visit to Australia. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Pool Photo via AP)

Supporters of Chinese Premier Li Qiang wait on his arrival at Adelaide Airport, Australia, Saturday, June 15, 2024. Li is on a relations-mending mission with panda diplomacy, rock lobsters and China’s global dominance in the critical minerals sector high on the agenda during his four day visit to Australia. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Pool Photo via AP)

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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Australia on Saturday on a relations-mending mission with panda diplomacy, rock lobsters and China’s global dominance in the critical minerals sector high on the agenda.

His visit is the first by a Chinese premier in seven years and is expected to pave the way for President Xi Jinping’s first journey to Australia since 2014.

Bilateral relations collapsed during Australia’s previous conservative administration’s almost decade in power, with Beijing imposing a series of official and unofficial trade barriers in 2020 on Australian products which cost exporters billions of dollars.

This is the second stop of Li’s tour after New Zealand , and will end in Malaysia.

Before leaving New Zealand, the premier told an audience in the city of Auckland on Saturday that his country was committed to creating a first-class business environment and supporting foreign enterprises to develop in China, according to Chinese state media.

Li said there was vast potential for China and New Zealand to collaborate in areas such as green development and that Beijing welcomed New Zealand enterprises, such as dairy company Fonterra, that seized such opportunities, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

During the Australian leg of his travels which ends on Tuesday, China’s most powerful politician after Xi, is expected to visit Adelaide Zoo in the South Australia state capital where his Air China flight landed from Auckland.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas greeted Li on the Adelaide Airport tarmac.

Li will also visit a Chinese-controlled lithium processing plant in the Kwinana Beach industrial estate in Western Australia state, as well as Australia’s Parliament House in the national capital Canberra.

China initiated a reset of the relationship after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor Party was elected in 2022.

Relations with the previous administration collapsed over legislation that banned covert foreign interference in Australian politics, the exclusion of Chinese-owned telecommunications giant Huawei from rolling out the national 5G network due to security concerns, and Australia’s call for an independent investigation into the causes of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beijing imposed an array of official and unofficial trade blocks in 2020 on a range of Australian exports including coal, wine, barley and wood that cost up to 20 billion Australian dollars ($13 billion) a year.

All the trade bans have now been lifted except for Australian live lobster exports. Trade Minister Don Farrell predicted that impediment would also be lifted soon after Li’s visit with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

“I’d be very confident that the visit this week will result in a very successful outcome for lobster producers,” Farrell told reporters Wednesday.

Many observers expect Australia will be more cautious about its future economic relationship with China after being subjected to what many see as economic coercion in recent years.

Australian National University China expert Benjamin Herscovitch describes an “emerging expectations gap” between Beijing and Canberra.

“Beijing, now that the coercion campaign is over, wants to … turn the page and launch into a more expansive, more positive, more cooperative bilateral relationship,” Herscovitch said.

“Canberra’s saying: ‘Look. Hold on. We want the trade restrictions gone and we want high-level diplomacy restored. But we’re not interested in deeper science and technology cooperation with China because we see that potentially from an Australian point of view as a security threat,’” Herscovitch added.

Li intends to visit Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia’s processing plant south of the Western Australia capital Perth on Tuesday to underscore China’s interest in investing in critical minerals, news media have reported. The plant produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide for electric vehicles.

Australia shares the United States’ concerns over China’s dominance in the critical minerals, which are essential components in the world’s transition to renewable energy sources .

Citing Australia’s national interests, Treasurer Jim Chalmers recently ordered five Chinese-linked companies to divest their shares in the rare earth mining company, Northern Minerals.

Less controversially, Li is expected to make a visit Sunday to Adelaide Zoo, which has been the home of China-born giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni since 2009.

The Adelaide Advertiser newspaper has reported Li will announce the pandas will be replaced by another breeding pair after they return to China in November.

While the bilateral economic relationship is recovering from plumbing new lows in recent years, the security relationship between the two free trading partners appears more tense.

An annual poll by the Sydney-based Lowy Institute foreign policy think tank released in June found 53% of Australian respondents saw China as more of a security threat than an economic partner.

Albanese has said he will raise with Li during an annual leaders’ meeting on Monday recent clashes between the two countries’ militaries in the South China Sea and Yellow Sea which Australia argues endangered Australian personnel.

The premier spent three days in New Zealand, a free trade partner with which China has enjoyed a more harmonious relationship than it has with Australia. Li described China and New Zealand as “good friends.”

His next stop will be Malaysia, where bilateral relations are further complicated by competing territorial claims in the South China Sea.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Li on Saturday: “China is one of New Zealand’s most important and consequential relationships.”

Li used the trip to express concerns at New Zealand’s contemplation of joining a military technology-sharing arrangement under Australia’s AUKUS pact with the United States and Britain. The pact’s primary aim is to provide Australia with a fleet of submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology.

Graham-McLay contributed from Wellington, New Zealand.

Visa-free travel to China welcomed by people wanting to reunite with family

Jenny Zhang has plans to travel to China soon to reunite with her 100-year-old mum, and she has welcomed a move to give Australians visa-free entry for short trips.

"This is the best policy. It will provide great convenience to Chinese people living in Australia," she said.

"The Chinese community is very happy about this news."

The 15-day visa-free travel for Australians was announced by Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday, after a formal meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

"We agreed to provide each other with reciprocal access to five-year multiple entry visas for tourism, business and visiting family members — so as to better facilitate personal exchanges, China will also include Australia in its Visa Waiver Program," the premier said.

This change will also save Australians about $110, the current cost for a single-entry tourist visa.

The new visa-free travel scheme is due to come in within the next few months.

China's tourism industry peaked in 2019 at a value of $580 billion and has been recovering slowly, according to Statista.

They had forecast that it could take another five years to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels.

Not everyone happy with move

While Ms Zhang was thrilled with the upcoming change, Ramila Chanisheff, the president of the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association said it would not help members of her community.

"Our family members … we can not even talk to them — let alone visit them," she told the ABC.

"Not all of us will be given visas to visit our family members. And if we do, we will be worried about our safety."

Dawa Sangmo, the Chinese liaison officer of the Tibet Information Office in Canberra raised similar worries.

"The visa-free policy is not only an issue that relates to our safety, but a matter that is more beneficial to China and its government," she told the ABC.

There was not much detail in the announcement, but Premier Li did mention it would be "reciprocal", making it easier for Chinese travellers to enter Australia.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the second highest amount of tourists visiting Australia came from China, only behind arrivals from New Zealand, as of April this year.

However, overall, the amount of people travelling out of China is down 40 per cent from pre-COVID levels in 2019, Reuters reported.

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