Consul-General Christopher Lim's Blog - "Don’t mention the war!" Avoiding cultural faux pas
It’s not a good idea to give a clock to your Chinese friends or contacts, because in Mandarin ‘to send a clock’ sounds like ‘funeral ritual’. Credit: DFAT
"Asking someone how much money they earn may be offensive in Australia but is regarded as quite normal in China. On the other hand, kissing or hugging as a greeting is perfectly normal in Australia. In China such a greeting may result in embarrassment or a misunderstanding, especially if you're trying to build a business relationship." Click here to read more.
Message from Christopher Lim, Australian Consul-General in southwest China
Australian Consul-General in southwest China Christopher Lim gives an update about the current situation of the COVID-19 affecting Australians in China.
Updated Travel Advice and Temporary Restrictions Relating to COVID-19
China will not allow most foreigners to enter China. Direct flights between China and Australia are limited to one flight per week to a limited number of cities in China and Australia. The current travel advice is still DO NOT TRAVEL to China.
If despite our advice you travel to China, you will be subject to up to 28 days mandatory quarantine. If you remain in China, follow the advice of local authorities, monitor your health and take care to protect yourself from exposure to COVID-19, ensure you have arrangements in place for a possible extended stay, and stay in touch with family and friends back home.
On 24 March the Prime Minister announced a ban on all overseas travel, with few exceptions.
Australia’s Border Restrictions
From 11:59pm Saturday 28 March, all international travellers arriving in Australia regardless of nationality or point of departure must complete self-isolation for 14 days in designated facilities before they can go home.
Travel Advice Link
For the latest China-related travel advice, please access the Smartraveller website via link below:
https//www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/china
Emergency Support
For emergency passport or consular support, please contact the numbers below.
If you are an Australian citizen in Wuhan or Hubei Province, you can register your location and your family situation by contacting the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade using the details below:
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 (within Australia)
+61 421 269 080 using SMS
Consul-General's Speeches
Australian Alumni Event: Women in Healthcare (15/10/2020)
Consul-General’s Keynote Speech on Futureproofing Your Career at La Trobe University International Roadshow (09/10/2020)
Consul-General's Letter To Southwest China Regarding 2019-nCoV (07/02/2020)
Launch Ceremony of CIGIT-The University of Melbourne Joint Research Centre Launch Ceremony (22/11/2019)
Opening Ceremony of Nanshan Botanic Garden Australian Plants Festival in Chongqing (18/05/2019)
2019 Australia Tourism Education and Training Showcase Reception (12/11/2019)
Australia Marketplace China 2019 Welcome Dinner (11/11/2019)
2019 Australia-China Young Scientists Exchange Program (1/11/2019)
Taste of Queensland Campaign Launch (28/10/2019)
Belt and Road Chengdu-Australian Open University Tennis Championship 2019 remarks (27/07/2019)
Old Masters: Australia’s Bark Artists Exhibition opening remarks (26/06/2019)
Festival of Australia Kunming Reception remarks (27/05/2019)
Remarks at Gold Coast Gala Dinner (17/05/2019)
Opening of the Australia-China (Chongqing) Economic and Trade Forum (10/05/2019)
Museum 2050 and Zhi Art Museum 2019 Annual Symposium opening remarks (28/04/2019)
Macquarie University Open Day remarks (14/04/2019)
West China-Australia Food Importer Network (CAFIN) conference speech (Mandarin Chinese) (13/03/2019)
Consul-General's Chongqing International Women's Day Lunch Reception address (11/03/2019)
Consul-General’s Australia Day 2019 address (21/01/2019)
News and Media Releases
Australia-China Business Council networking day speech (26/06/2019)
Asialink Bloomberg Address by Prime Minister Scott Morrison (26/06/2019)
Australia's experience in applying a circular economy (02/06/2019)
Celebrate a Festival of Australia (20/05/2019)
Secretary Frances Adamson remarks at Australia-China Reception (25/05/2019)
Strengthening science ties with China (10/04/2019)
2019-20 Foreign Affairs and Trade Department budget (02/05/2019)
Ambassador to China (29/03/2019)
Strengthening the future of the Australia-China relationship (29/03/2019)
The Australia-China “She Inspires Me” Photo Competition (08/03/2019)
Appointments for Passport and Notarial Services
Please make appointments for passport and notarial services using the Consulate’s online booking system. Passport service appointments for Australian Citizens are available between 9:00 am and 12:00 noon, Monday to Friday. Notarial service appointments are available between 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only.
If you are unable to make an appointment within the advertised hours, you can either call 028 - 6268 5200 or send an email to [email protected] to schedule an appointment. Passport enquiries, emergency passports or consular enquiries do not require appointments. Click here to make a booking.
Booking Policy
Clients should arrive 5 minutes prior to appointments for security screening. If you arrive late for your appointment you may need to wait until an officer is available. Bookings can be made 3 weeks in advance. We request that you do not book more than one appointment at a time. Please refer to your notification email if you need to amend or cancel your appointment.
Notice of New Digital Assistant Online Chat for Visa and Citizenship Enquiries
The Department of Home Affairs (HA) are trialling a Digital Assistant to answer your visa and citizenship questions. The Digital Assistant will make it easier and faster for you to find what you need on their website. You can access the Digital Assistant from the Digital Assistant tab on the bottom right hand side of the screen on most Immigration and Citizenship pages.
Job Opportunity
