BaCe0.95Tb0.05O3-alpha (BCTb) proton conducting perovsldte hollow fibre membranes were fabricated by the combined phase-inversion and sintering technique. Surface modification was performed by H2SO4 etching and/or by Pd-coating on the hollow fibre surfaces to improve the hydrogen permeation. Hydrogen permeation fluxes through the resultant hollow fibre membranes were measured between 650 and 1000 degrees C, using 50-50% H-2-He feed on the shell side and N-2 as the sweep gas in the fibre lumen. The results indicate that coating porous Pd layers on the hollow fibre membrane surfaces could promote remarkably the hydrogen, flux, i.e. from 0.046 mL cm(-2) min(-1) at 900 degrees C in the original hollow fibre, to 0.272 mL cm(-2) min(-1) in the Pd-coated membrane, whereas the H2SO4 etching modification would deteriorate the hydrogen permeation due to the contamination of sulphur-containing compounds. The surface exchange kinetics plays an important role in the hydrogen permeation through the BCTb perovsldte membranes, which can be improved by coating porous Pd layers on either or both surfaces of the hollow fibre perovskite membranes. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.