From 3 September 2012 the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is changing the way immigration services will be delivered in China.
从2012年9月3日起，澳大利亚移民与公民事务处将改变在中国递交签证的服务方式

The two key changes include the:2个方面的改变

• Introduction of Australian isa Application Centres (AVACs) in Beijing and Shanghai 
• 北京和上海将启用签证中心
• Changes to visa processing locations.  签证审理地点的改变

Introduction of AVACs

Two AVACs operated by VFS Global Pty Ltd, will be opened in Beijing and Shanghai on 3 September 2012.

The AVACs will:签证中心的服务

• accept visa applications and charges   接受签证申请和费用
• handle basic enquiries from clients before application is lodged  未递签之前的基本咨询
• return passports  回退护照
• provide an online application tracking facility.  提供在线申请跟踪服务

Changes to visa processing locations

In addition to the introduction of AVACs, there will also be changes to where certain visa applications are processed in China from 3 September 2012.

Consolidating visa processing for certain visa applications into processing centres will enable a greater level of consistency in processing and decision-making and will improve the service the department provides to clients in this region.

Impact on clients

These changes mean from 3 September 2012, clients who reside in provinces within the Beijing and Shanghai catchment areas applying for an Australian visa should lodge their application at an AVAC in either Beijing or Shanghai.

Clients submitting their visa application by post or courier will generally be required to send their visa application directly to the AVAC in the location of the relevant processing office.

The exception to this will be clients lodging an Adoption (subclass 102) visa or Resident Return (subclass 155/157) visa who should submit their application to the Australian visa office at the Australian Consulate Guangzhou.

Clients in the Guangzhou catchment applying in person for an Australian visa should continue to lodge their application directly with the Australian Visa Office at the Australian Consulate in Guangzhou.

Temporary Residence (Non-Business) visas should be submitted directly to the AVAC in Beijing.

There will be no change to the current lodgement and processing arrangements for Government officials applying via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or their local Foreign Affairs Office (FAO), Australian Destination Status (ADS) travel or Australian citizenship by Descent applications which should continue to be lodged directly with the nearest Australian Visa Office.

Applications will continue to be assessed and decided by the Australian visa office. Staff at the AVAC will have no involvement in the decision–making process or have any knowledge of the application outcome.

More Information

Specific details about visa lodgement and processing arrangements will be provided on the department's website in the coming weeks.