Does a Chinese visa need to be applied for in your country of citizenship?

I am an Australian citizen, but I currently live in the US on a student permit, as I attend college here. I will be leaving the US to go home to Australia in May, and then two days after landing in Australia, I will be going on a vacation to China. Can I apply for a Chinese tourist L type here in America? Or will I need to send my passport/application home (Australia) to my family for them to get my L type for me?