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 update the Australian-based agents in
   Schedule 1 and the PRC agents in Schedule 2.
7. Fifty-five Australian-based agents are listed at Schedule 1. Eighty-seven PRC agents are listed at Schedule 2.
8. Consultation occurred with the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, and Tourism Australia in respect of the Australian ADS agents and with Tourism Australia and the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) in respect of the PRC agents, before the Instrument was made.
9. The Instrument, IMMI 08/103 commences on 19 December 2008.