Effective in 2013, Australia begins with a faster processing of visa applications online touted to attract wealthy travelers from Asia especially those from China.

At the same time, the government is mulling to give visas with longer validity, as well as multiple entry visas for those classified as low risk visitors.

Under the present set-up, Chinese tourists who want to see Australia are required to complete paperwork in English and then submit the documents and their passports through the Chinese postal system. It takes at least seven days for visas to get approved under this system.

"The government recognises that the tourism experience starts long before arrival at a destination," Martin Ferguson, federal government tourism minister, told 300 delegates present in a tourism conference in Canberra on Wednesday. "This will further enhance and streamline visitor experiences in Australia."

"We need to cut further red tape and make Australia an easier place to get to," notes billionaire James Packer during the conference addessing the other delegates.

Mr. Packer has plans to build a six-star hotel and casino complex in Sydney because he believes Australia's tourism industry has potential to earn at least $95 billion annually.

Mr Ferguson said plans for the two-year rollout of the new online visa application program are being designed to advance the appeal of tourism investment in Australia. He pointed out the Tourism Major Project Facilitation Service (TMPF) will approve and grant visas through a "simpler, more streamlined regulatory process."

"Tourism is now a national investment priority," he said. "The TMPF is one example of how the Australian Government is working with states and territories to make Australia a more attractive investment destination."

Geoff Dixon, Tourism Australia chairman, during the conference that more than half of all tourists coming to Australia now come from Asia, most especially from China.

"Everything about China is staggering - that's why we have gone very, very aggressively after this market," Mr Dixon said.