EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Migration Regulations 1994

TRAVEL AGENTS FOR PRC CITIZENS APPLYING FOR TOURIST VISAS
(SUBPARAGRAPH 1218(1)(b)(iii))

1. This Instrument is made under Regulation 1.17 and subparagraph 1218(1)(b)(iii) of Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’).
2. Regulation 1.17 of the Regulations provides that the Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, specify matters required by individual provisions of the Regulations to be specified for the purposes of those provisions.
3. Subparagraph 1218(1)(b)(iii) of Schedule 1 to the Regulations provides that where Tourist visa (subclass 676) applicants from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) intend to travel to Australia as a member of tour group, the tour must be organised by a travel agent specified in a Gazette Notice.
4. The purpose of the Instrument is to specify approved travel agents for the purposes of subparagraph 1218(1)(b)(iii) of Schedule 1 to the Regulations.
5. The Instrument lists, at Schedule 1, the travel agents in Australia who are approved to escort PRC tour groups who travel to Australia under the Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme. Schedule 2 to the Instrument lists the travel agents in the PRC who are able to lodge Tourist visa applications under the ADS scheme.
6. The Instrument has been amended to include four additional Australian agents in
   Schedule 1. These agents were approved to join the ADS scheme following the 2007 ADS application round. Four Australian agents who chose not to re-apply in the round have also been removed from the list.
7. No changes have been made to the PRC agents listed at Schedule 2.
8. Consultation with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, which manages the ADS scheme in conjunction with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, and Tourism Australia, was undertaken before the Instrument was made.
9.  The Instrument, IMMI 07/070 commences on the day after registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.