Status: Open
The China Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme is a bilateral tourism arrangement between the Australian and Chinese Governments. China’s ADS scheme reopened in 2023, after a temporary pause during the pandemic.
Austrade manages the ADS scheme in Australia with the Department of Home Affairs and Tourism Australia.
China remains one of Australia’s largest and most important inbound tourism markets. According to Tourism Australia, Chinese visitation to Australia has grown by 83% since 2023, with a strong start to 2025 which indicates a continuing growth trajectory. This has been driven by a number of factors including:
Repeat visitors are now making up a large portion of the inbound Chinese tourism market. This creates opportunities for growth and diversification under the ADS scheme.
To learn more about the Chinese tourism market, see:
On Tuesday 15 July 2025, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism Cooperation. Implementation of activities under this MoU is led by Austrade and Tourism Australia.
Austrade assesses and approves Inbound Tour Operators (ITOs) in the ADS scheme in Australia and monitors compliance with the ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics.
View the list of existing ITOs at Approved inbound tour operators.
The instructions below provide an overview of the ITO application process. To request an application package, email ads@austrade.gov.au.
Understand the roles and obligations of an ITO under the ADS Code of Business and Ethics (the Code) and ensure your business can meet the eligibility requirements for an ITO under the scheme.
Complete the application form and gather all necessary supporting documents as specified.
Submit application to Austrade for assessment.
Austrade will arrange an online interview to assess your understanding of the Code and your suitability to participate in the ADS scheme.
Austrade will review your application to ensure it meets all the requirements. If approved, you will receive a Deed of Participation for signature.
Austrade will notify the Department of Home Affairs to upload your details to its online portal, where OTOs can initiate engagement with ADS ITOs.
Austrade will notify you once your details are uploaded to the portal and provide you with access to the AccessADS platform, where day to day operation of the scheme is managed.
ITOs previously approved under the ADS scheme are eligible to:
To apply to reactivate:
To be considered for reactivation, ITOs will need to:
View the list of reactivated ITOs at Approved inbound tour operators.
Tour guides previously approved under the ADS scheme are eligible to continue to work with ADS approved ITOs.
Previously approved ADS tour guides who need to update their contact details can do so by emailing ads@austrade.gov.au.
If you are a tour guide and you would like to work in the ADS scheme, you can. Tour guides can work under the ADS scheme provided they:
The ITO must record the tour guide’s details in the Austrade ADS tour guide register and provide Austrade with the register when asked as part of our compliance monitoring checks.
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.
Note: Austrade is continuing to monitor and undertake ADS code compliance activities. This will include compliance projects involving approved ADS ITOs and tour guides.
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 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.
Austrade is delivering a staged resumption of the previously paused ADS scheme. Since the scheme resumed in 2023, Austrade delivered the ‘Activation phase’ - a short-term response that re-established processes and reactivated previously approved ITOs. This meant ADS tour groups were again able to visit Australia.
The remaining 2 phases are:
We are currently in the ‘Transition phase’.
The China ADS Advisory Panel (ADSAP) supports the administration and development of the ADS scheme. The panel provides strategic advice and industry insights.
AccessADS is the platform where day-to-day operation of the scheme is managed. You will be given access to the platform if approved to participate in the ADS scheme.
For the latest ADS scheme news, training and resources, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Email: ads@austrade.gov.au.
Phone: 1800 048 155 (during business hours 9am – 4:30pm AEST, Monday to Friday, except public holidays).