The Australian government has formally started granting 10-year multi-entry tourist visas to Chinese visitors, the Embassy of China in Australia announced.

中国驻澳大利亚使馆日前宣布，澳大利亚政府已正式开始向中国旅客发放10年多次"常旅客签证"。

This new visa initiative was first announced in June 2015, with Australian officials highlighting it as a reform, which is considered pivotal to the country's infrastructure¹ modernization² and future business development.

这项新的签证计划于2015年6月首次宣布，而澳大利亚官员则强调其为一项改革，并被认为是该国的基础设施现代化和未来业务发展的关键。

Under the Migration³ Legislation Amendment⁴ inked on Nov 10, Chinese citizens with the 10-year visas could enjoy multiple free entry permits during the validity period of the visa.

根据本月10日签署的移民法修订案，持有10年签证的中国公民可在签证有效期内免费多次入境。

Applicants⁵ for the new visas are required to go through medical examinations before they apply, and visa fees cost AU$1,000.

这种新型签证的申请人需在申请前进行体检，签证费为1000澳元(约合人民币5058元)。

Meanwhile, the policy only applies for Chinese citizens who arrive in Australia by air.

同时，只有乘飞机入境澳大利亚的中国公民才可申请此签证。

Holders⁶ of the new visas are forbidden from working in Australia and that they cannot stay in Australia for more than three months at a time.

这种新型签证的持有人不得在澳就业，单次入境在澳逗留时间不得超过3个月。

Besides Australia, the US, Canada and Singapore also have similar 10-year visa programs for Chinese nationals.

除了澳大利亚，美国、加拿大和新加坡也对中国公民实施了类似的10年签证项目。