The Department of Home Affairs quietly released the Migration (Arrangements for Visitor (Class FA) visa applications) Amendment Instrument 2026 on 28 September. The instrument replaces the entire table of Chinese travel agencies authorised to organise Approved Destination Status (ADS) group tours to Australia. Ninety-nine travel companies—including major players such as Ctrip, CYTS and China International Travel Service branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and Fujian—retain or gain accreditation, while several smaller agencies drop off the list. The ADS scheme underpins most inbound Chinese leisure charter groups. Although individual tourists may now apply online for eVisitor or visitor subclass 600 visas, group itineraries remain popular because of airfare bundling and Mandarin-speaking guides. Industry analysts estimate ADS groups still represent roughly one-quarter of all Chinese arrivals and underpin seat commitments on the restored mainland-Australia wide-body schedule. For Australian hotels, attractions and conference venues, the larger pool of approved agencies is welcome news ahead of the November-February peak season. Tourism Research Australia forecasts Chinese arrivals will rebound to 84 per cent of 2019 levels by mid-2027; the updated ADS roster is expected to accelerate that recovery, particularly for incentive and MICE traffic that relies on a licensed wholesaler. Corporate mobility managers should note, however, that ADS remains limited to leisure and short-stay business visitor activity only. Travellers on ADS itineraries cannot extend their stay or convert to work visas in-country. Organisations sending Chinese delegates for conferences should double-check that the chosen travel provider appears on the new LIN 26/060 list to avoid visa rejections at lodgement. Finally, because the instrument commences the day after registration, applications filed from 29 September onward will be assessed against the new agency list. Visa teams should refresh internal checklists immediately to reflect the changes.
Source: Federal Register of Legislation
