China visa for Australia citizens

Current status (verified May 2026)

Australian ordinary passport holders are eligible for the 30-day visa-free entry to mainland China for tourism, business, family visit or transit. Effective from late 2024; remains in force.

Documents at the border

• Passport valid 6+ months beyond intended stay.
• Onward ticket (sometimes checked, not always).
• Hotel booking or address of stay.
• Digital health and customs declaration via WeChat mini-programme or QR scan.

Standard travel pattern

A typical 14-day Australian first-trip itinerary (Beijing-Xi'an-Chengdu-Shanghai or similar) fits comfortably within the 30-day window. Multi-city Australian-Chinese family-visit trips of up to 30 days work without paperwork.

What's not covered

• Working, studying, journalism — separate visa categories required.
• Stays beyond 30 days — apply for an L visa.
• Tibet Autonomous Region — requires the Tibet Travel Permit and licensed agency.

Hong Kong and Macau

Australian passport-holders are visa-free for Hong Kong (90 days) and Macau (30 days). Crossing into mainland China from Hong Kong or Macau is treated as a separate immigration event.

Embassy

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Australia is in Canberra; consulates-general in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide. Visa applications (for the standard L visa where 30-day visa-free isn't sufficient) are submitted via CVASC offices in those cities.