Enhancing Australia's Economic Prosperity
Resources Energy Tourism Department

Tourism

The Australian Government is committed to maximising tourism's net economic contribution to the Australian economy and to fostering an industry that promotes the principles of environmental responsibility and sustainable development.
China Approved Destination Status (ADS) Scheme

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 (the Department) manages the Australian scheme on a day to day basis.

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 500 000 Chinese tourists undertaking leisure travel in groups.

Currently Australia is one of over 130 countries with ADS status. China is Australia’s fastest-growing inbound tourism market and is forecast to grow at more than 10.3 per cent per annum over the next decade, resulting in 947,000 Chinese visitors per year by 2018.

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.

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.

ADS Celebrated its 10th Anniversary

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.

2009 Round of the ADS Scheme

The 2009 round of the ADS scheme is closed.  The date of the 2010 application round is yet to be determined. Please keep checking this website for further information.

If you would like information on what is required to participate in the scheme please download the 2009 Application Information Package pdf image [PDF, 421KB]. This contains all of the information you will need on the ADS scheme.

Should you wish to apply in the next application round, you will need to obtain the following and submit them with your application:

1.         A current National Police Check from the Australian Federal Police for each company Director;

2.         Three references for the company; and

3.         Three personal references for each company Director.

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:

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:

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

Page Last Updated: 3/02/2010 11:49 AM