Approved Destination Status (ADS) is a bilateral tourism arrangement between the Chinese Government and a foreign destination whereby Chinese tourists are permitted to undertake leisure travel in groups to that destination. The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (RET) manages the Australian scheme.
The ADS scheme is an important part of Australia’s inbound tourism growth. Australia was one of the first western countries (along with New Zealand) to be granted ADS status in 1999 and since then, has hosted over 550 000 Chinese tourists undertaking leisure travel in over 40,000 groups.
Currently Australia is one of over 100 countries with ADS status. China is Australia’s fastest-growing inbound tourism market and is forecast to grow at more than 7.9 per cent per annum over the next decade, resulting in 761,000 Chinese visitors per year by 2018.
ADS permits the Australian Government, through Tourism Australia, to promote Australia as a leisure travel destination in China. Approved travel agents in China must be trained by Tourism Australia as ‘Aussie Specialists’ and must have received training and approval from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) before being allowed to handle ADS travel to Australia.
The Australian Government strengthened the administrative arrangements for the ADS scheme in 2005 with a range of reforms to ensure Chinese tourists receive a quality Australian tourism experience. At that time, all existing ADS operators were required to re-apply for approval, with applications also invited from appropriately qualified Australian businesses wishing to enter the scheme. Applications were rigorously assessed, and approved operators are now required to comply with the ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics.
The objectives of the ADS arrangements are to:
- Restore integrity, competition and fair trading to the operation of ADS inbound market, especially in relations between operators and shops, and operators and tourists; and
- Empower Chinese inbound tourists with knowledge and choice to exercise effective consumer power in the inbound market.
Key requirements of the ADS arrangements are:
- Applicants are assessed as to whether they are a ‘fit and proper’ person to be an ADS approved in bound tour operator
- Applicants must consent to being vetted for their ‘good standing’
- Applicants must also meet ‘industry fitness’ and immigration compliance tests
- Applicants are listed in the media and comment from the public will be invited
The ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics is backed by a compliance monitoring regime which includes various checks such as financial and random checks. Penalties for breaches of the Code may include suspension or revocation of an operator’s ADS approval.
Approved Operators
The scheme currently has 51 approved inbound tour operators and the list can be downloaded here
[PDF, 245KB].
Australia and China's commitment to fostering the growth of sustainable and quality tourism was reinforced through the signing, in August 2006, of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Australian Government and the China National Tourism Administration on the ADS scheme. The next bilateral meeting between the two countries set out under the MoU will be held on 30 July 2010 at the Australian Pavilion during the Shanghai 2010 World Expo.
In 2009/10 the ADS scheme was evaluated by KPMG to assess its effectiveness, appropriateness and efficiency. KPMG found a need for the scheme to continue. The executive summary for the evaluation can be downloaded below:
The Australian Government will invest a further $4 million in Australia's international tourism trade between China and Australia over the next four years. To view Minister Ferguson’s media release please click here.
2010 Round of the ADS Scheme
Public comment on ADS applicants is now invited and information can be found here [PDF, 24KB].
The 2010 round of the ADS scheme is now open.
If you would like information on what is required to participate in the scheme please download the Application Information Package [PDF, 421KB]. This contains all of the information you will need on the ADS scheme.
The application forms for the ADS scheme are below:
Application [PDF Form]
ADS Applicants are now required to complete a Deed 
[DOC, 90KB].
Please note that two (2) copies of the signed Deed by the Applicant must be submitted by email to ads@ret.gov.au when you submit your completed application. If you are approved, the Minister will sign the Deeds and one copy will be returned for your records when the outcomes of applications have been decided.
Should you wish to apply, you will need to obtain the following and submit them with your application:
- A current National Police Check from the Australian Federal Police for each company Director
- Three references for the company
- Three personal references for each company Director.
Requirements for existing ADS operators is different. RET will advise the existing operators of their requirements.
In 2010 there have been some important changes to the ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics. Some of these changes are:
- One contact point: all information about the ADS scheme must now go through RET ONLY at ads@ret.gov.au. RET will focus on Inbound Tour Operators (ITOs) and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship will focus on Outbound Tour Operators (OTOs) while continuing to be responsible for the immigration aspects of the ADS scheme
- There is a new Code which will come into effect on Friday 17 September 2010 when application outcomes are announced by the Minister for Tourism. This will be available on the RET website along with the application forms
- A signed Deed between the ITO and RET will now be required; this Deed enables you to participate in the scheme if you are approved by the Minister for Tourism;
- All approved operators will be listed on the RET website from the 17/18 September 2010 (only if approved and a Deed has been signed);
- The Minister for Tourism is the sole decision maker on applications and suspensions/revocations
- ITOs must advise RET of all associates and agents
- Applications can be made on an ongoing basis at any time throughout the year
- There is a new sanction process; for example if you beach one fundamental clause of the Code once, you will likely have your ADS approval suspended or revoked. Findamental clauses are listed in the Code
- Existing operators identified by the Australian Government and the Compliance Monitoring Agency as model partners, who have not been in breach of the ADS Code, will be required to only complete a quick update as a favourable operator. The ITOs concerned will be contacted by RET individually.
The ADS Executive Officer can be contacted for further information on:
Tel: 1800 048 155
Fax: 02 6213 7070 or by
Email: ads@ret.gov.au
Information for Inbound Tour Operators Participating in the ADS Scheme
The 2008 version of the Code (the current version) can be downloaded below:
Key Obligations Information
The ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics requires approved operators to provide information to the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Templates have been prepared to assist operators in providing this information:
Other information that operators may find useful
ADS News Items and E Newsletter
On 22 April 2009 the ADS scheme celebrated its 10th birthday along with New Zealand via a series of activities including:
- Minister Ferguson's visit to China to address industry
- Joint media release from Minister Ferguson and Senator Evans on the success of the scheme
- The publication of a 10th Anniversary edition of the ADS Newsletter (available on this website)
- China Industry Advisory Group (China's equivalent to the ADS Advisory Panel) Meeting in China and
- Annual Anniversary Bilateral Meeting between Australian Government Officials and officials from the CNTA during the week 24 to 30 May.
In 2006-2007 the Code was evaluated. The approved inbound tour operators were invited to comment on the effectiveness of the Code. The Public Summary of the evaluation can be downloaded below: