Chris Brown Strikes Out in Australia ... Entry Denied

Chris Brown's tour of Australia has been cancelled due to his Rihanna beating conviction ... TMZ has learned.

Brown's camp announced they were pulling the plug on Oz and New Zealand tour dates -- set to begin in a couple of days -- but never mentioned Chris' issues with the government. As we'd reported ... the government was inclined to deny him entry based on the Rihanna case.

Our sources confirm Chris' lawyers were unable to change the minds of Aussie officials. Truth is, it was always going to be an uphill battle -- even the Prime Minister had voiced opposition to letting him in the country.

The tour promoter says the dates will be rescheduled, but if you're a Brown fan Down Under ... don't hold your breath.