On 8 March, 2023, China joined the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents ( hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”). On 7 November, 2023, the Convention entered into force between China and Australia.

As from 7 November, 2023, any public documents when properly executed in Australia within the scope of the Convention, can be sent to Chinese mainland for use with the APOSTILLE issued by the competent authority of Australia from which the document emanates, and the consular legalisation from the Australian side and the Chinese Embassy/Consulate-general in Australia are no longer required.

All public documents within the scope of the Convention sent from China to Australia will no longer be subject to consular legalisation by the Chinese authority and the Australian Embassy /Consulate-general in China but will be subject to APOSTILLE.

The completion of APOSTILLE issued by relevant Australian authority does not mean that the public document will be accepted by the receiving organization in China. It shall be inquired in advance with the receiving organization about the specific requirements for the format, content, time limit, translation, and other aspects of foreign public documents before proceeding with the relevant APOSTILLE application.