Australians who are trapped in Wuhan will be evacuated to Christmas Island on a Qantas flight leaving the locked down city on February 3.

Those shortlisted for the assisted departure flight were told in an email from the Australian government on Saturday that the evacuation "remains subject to Chinese authority approval".

China Eastern Airlines cabin crew are seen wearing protective face masks at Brisbane International Airport. Credit:AAP/Darren England

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the government expects the evacuation "process to be finalised and finally agreed soon and we are proceeding on that basis".

Both Australian citizens and permanent residents will be allowed to board the flight after initial concerns that the Chinese government would only allow foreign citizens to be evacuated from the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak.