Entry & visa

China → Australia

Visa required

A visa must be obtained before travel; permitted stay depends on the visa grant.

A mainland China passport is not listed for Australia's ETA subclass 601 or eVisitor subclass 651; short tourist/business visits normally require a Visitor visa subclass 600.

Based on passport-specific data. · as of 2026-06-18

Official source ↗

Documents that change the outcome

eVisa· apec_abtc · 90 days
Must hold a valid physical ABTC with AUS on the reverse, or a virtual ABTC showing AUS pre-clearance; the passport number must match the passport linked to the ABTC. It may be used for short-stay business, and Australia also allows holiday or family/friend visits; work is not permitted. The United States and Canada are transitional ABTC members and do not receive reciprocal entry arrangements, only fast-track processing.
source ↗

Documents & how to apply

Online visa application form — Apply for the Visitor visa (subclass 600) through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount.
Valid passport — Provide the pages of the current passport showing the photo, personal details, issue date and expiry date.
National identity document — Provide national identity documents, if held.
Evidence of name change · optional — Provide only if the applicant has changed name.
Financial evidence — May include personal bank statements, pay slips, audited accounts, tax records, term deposits or credit card limits.
Genuine visitor evidence — Provide plans in Australia and evidence of reasons to return, such as an employer letter, study evidence, asset evidence or family ties.
Invitation or host evidence · optional — For visiting family or friends, provide an invitation; if the inviter pays for the stay, provide their financial evidence.
Business visitor evidence · optional — For business visits, provide invitations, conference or registration details, employer letter, business itinerary or Australian contact details.
Parental or guardian consent for applicants under 18 · optional — Applicants under 18 must provide evidence that parents or legal guardians consent to travel to Australia.
Health or character documents · optional — Provide health examinations or character documents only if requested by the Department of Home Affairs.

📍 Apply online through the Australian Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount; applicants in China are directed to lodge online.

PRC passport holders are not eligible for ETA or eVisitor; short tourism or business visits generally use the relevant Visitor visa (subclass 600) stream. Do not finalise non-refundable travel arrangements before the visa is granted.

Requirements vary by consulate — verify with the official source. official ↗

Common questions

Can a Chinese passport holder with a valid U.S. visa visit Australia for short tourism or business without an Australian visa?

No. Australia operates a visa system for non-citizens, and mainland China passports are not in the ETA subclass 601 or eVisitor subclass 651 eligible passport groups. The sourced Australian rules do not list a valid U.S. visa as a substitute for an Australian visa, so an Australian visa is still required before travel.

Does a Chinese passport holder with an APEC Business Travel Card need to apply separately for an Australian visa?

If the ABTC has Australian pre-clearance, a separate Australian visa application is generally not needed. Home Affairs states that a physical card with AUS on the reverse, or a virtual card showing AUS, can be used for travel, and the ABTC application is legally treated as a Business Visitor subclass 600 application.

What should a U.K. passport holder use for a short tourist or business visit to Australia?

British citizen passport holders may apply for eVisitor subclass 651. Sources also indicate some British passport categories may use ETA, but the primary rule for a British citizen passport is eVisitor subclass 651.

Is short travel to Australia on a U.S. passport visa-free or an electronic visa?

Under Australia's system, this is not unconditional visa-free entry; U.S. passport holders may apply for the Electronic Travel Authority subclass 601. The ETA is an Australian visa category for multiple short tourist or business visits.

Verify with official sources

Visa policy changes without notice and this page is reference information that may contain errors. Before travel, verify via the official sources below or contact the destination country's embassy / consulate / immigration authority directly; final admission is at the destination government's discretion.