Australian 300 class prospective spouse visa - medical question?

[supraman]

G'day   :)First of all ,sorry for the long title  and also my writing style , as I know I can be confusing sometimes when I write .
 Either today or tomorrow our Prospective spouse visa will arrive in Moscow 
    We had some delays in waiting for some  documents to be translated which has sort of given us a hiccup in our plans -- maybe ? 
   We were hoping to get her and the little one  back here for Christmas on another tourist - visitor visa , while waiting for the Prospective  spouse visa , but we know she has to do a medical exam at some stage  . From what I have read , everyone seems to get this done in her country . So we originally thought she would have to wait another couple of months to be told to do the medical, and then she can come here again ,or we risk her arriving and then having to turn around and go back for the medical .
  After some reading today I believe she can do the medical here  , Since a medical can be done here if she was applying from here . or they also state the medical can be done before lodgement of the spouse visa- although they recommend you wait to be told , because if the visa takes more than 12 months , we would have to do them again at our cost ( no biggy ) .
  So my question is this --Has any one else  lodged their application overseas and then done the medical here ?-- I am aware it may seem like I answered my own question ( and I hope I am right ), or am I mistaken ? . ,, but still I would like to know other Australians or "R-ustralians  " thoughts or experiences in regards to this ,,, Thanks in advance for any advice or knowledge .


   

[JayH]

Forum member SouthernX is resident expert here  on Aus visa questions and probably best for him to answer your specific query-give him a little time-I sure he will be along!!
What city is your lady from?  You say in post--"back here"--does that mean she has already been to Australia? Did child travel with her? How many times has she been here? Was visa single entry?
Your questions have relevance to me also-- so please keep posting updates!!

[supraman]

Hi Jay , My lovely lady is From Voronezh which is roughly the same size as Perth Western Australia.
   As for my reference to "back "   ,, yes they have been here before  . First trip she made  was in Feb when it was 40 degrees , then she returned in May with her daughter . I am not sure if we were lucky , but tourist visa's were easy and only seemed to take a week to get approved ,we did use the help of an agent though , so I am not sure if that helped ? .Although it seems hard to get them to budge on any more than 3 months visa at this stage . Visa's have all been single entry only with limited study conditions placed on both  my lady and the daughter . Hope that helps ya ,, I will try to keep a running commentary as things go through the system , hopefully to help others with questions about it .

[southernX]

supraman [jeff ?who lives in the hills maybe ??  ]

Either today or tomorrow our Prospective spouse visa will arrive in Moscow 

do you mean your application for the visa sub class 300 will arrive at the embassy ??as im assuming you do ?

im fairly sure she must  do the medical there ,at an accreditted medical facility recognised by IMMI
 as for the sub 300 visa you must apply offshore if i remember correctly , you cannot apply from australia , hence the medical is also done offshore

onshore medicals apply to other types of visas applied for while in australia , but not the sub 300 fiancee ,

im a bit busy at present ,so sorry for the short reply ,  but look back through this section on visas , several thread relating to aussies that are worth reading like these two below links

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=15149.25

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=15236.0

SX

[JayH]

Reading OP again a couple of points. Happy to be corrected if I am wrong-- once you (she?) are granted  300 class visa( marriage) she is able to  come and go while it is current.
This is the part I am reasonably sure I am correct-- you cannot apply for entry (in another category) while the 300 class is in process.

Ok-let us see what SX makes of that!!

[supraman]

"Live in the hills, maybe ? ""      Guilty    
Yep , sent to the embassy in Moscow . I was hoping she could do it here , otherwise it means an indefinite wait before she comes out again, or maybe a short trip here then home ? This is the part I dislike , of not knowing even a rough reliable time frame ( I will slowly get used to it   )
  It is phrases like this that give me hope of  others applying in the future in Australia .Copied and pasted from Aus Immi.

""Making a valid application
To make a valid application you must:
  #6.. be in the correct location when your application is received
by the department. This means that, if you apply outside
Australia, you must be outside Australia when the
department receives your application. Similarly, if you apply
in Australia, you must be in Australia when the department
receives your application.""""

  Also because I read that they can lodge their medical exam with the application also .   Also copied and pasted off page 2 of the 300 class form , which is interesting reading .

""Health
All applicants for permanent visas including the main
applicant, spouse and any dependants must be assessed
against the health requirement. Even if the applicant’s spouse
and dependants are not included in the visa application, they
must still be assessed against the health requirement.
Applicants for a permanent visa will be asked to undergo a
medical examination, an x-ray if 11 years of age or older and an
HIV test if 15 years of age or older, as well as any additional tests
required by the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC).
Note
: Applicants may have already undertaken a health
assessment for their visa. However, the department reserves
the right to request additional health examinations as part of
this visa application process." ""


I am going through it all again trying to find the part where it said HBF or a Similar Commonwealth institution  can do it ( it was in one of their hand books). Just for reference -- Also costs have gone up a bit with the 300 class now being $3085 and any dependant children being an additional  $770 for each .
  Gotta get back to work , after reading your two links Cheers-- M??
 Ps   Jayh,  I know a few people that bought their lady out while waiting for 300 class - I know 1 that lodged both 300 class and tourist visa together . The last case of this was a lady moved to Queens land and she had 3 tourist visa while waiting for the 300 to come through .Us Ozzies are a bit luckier than our American or Canadian friends when bringing our ladies over . I hope this is what you wanted to hear I am unsure though , but think you are correct that once granted the 300 , theyhave multiple entry during the visa period .

[supraman]

It would seem Medicals can be done in Australia . See below paste from Medibank site .
""The Department of Immigration and Border Protection only accepts visa medical assessments conducted by Medibank Health Solutions.

You are able to make a visa medical appointment with us for a permanent visa, temporary visa or student visa. There are different medical assessments for each visa type. It is your responsibility to make sure that you book an appointment for the right visa type.""

There are about 17 locations in Oz you can do it . Google Medibank health solutions and go to immigration health link.
 We will need the case file number before any medical will be accepted - I assume . below ,pasted  from immi pages . MHS is Medibank health solutions.

  """If you are booking an appointment with MHS, you must provide your HAP ID, HRI or TRN. This number will be:  shown on the health examinations referral letter that you can download when lodging an online visa application or using the My Health Declarations service
    given to you by your case officer after you have lodged a paper visa application."""

 So for the moment it looks like she can do it here or there depending on where she is once given a case number . Having stayed in Russia until Immi issue case number,that is .
 I am having trouble finding a list of 5 places in Russia they can be done also ( we are told ) , still looking....

[supraman]

Sorry if I seem to be running my own thread ,, just thought this info would be of use to others .
Below is the list of "Panel Doctors "  that are issued with forms and recognised to do visa medical applications in Russia and Ukraine . There is a list for the "Stans " but I will fill this forum with it all .

Ekaterinburg

Medical and Radiology Clinic – Electronic Health Processing This clinic is eMedical enabled
Health 365
83 Kuznetchnaya Street
Sverdlovsk Region
Telephone: +7 343 270 1717
Email: info@zdorovo365.ru
Doctor:
Dr Yan Kazakov
Irkutsk

Medical and Radiology Clinic – Electronic Health Processing eHealth This clinic is eMedical enabled
Irkutsk City Hospital N1
Baikalskaya Street 118
Telephone: +7 385 270 3701
Fax: +7 395 222 8592
Doctor(s):
Dr Sergey Kolmakov
Khabarovsk

Medical and Radiology Clinic – Electronic Health Processing This clinic is eMedical enabled
Family Medicine Clinic
Karl Marx Street 60
Mobile: +7 914 543 1751
Doctor(s):
Dr Evgeny Bykov
Moscow

Medical and Radiology Clinic – Electronic Health Processing eHealth This clinic is eMedical enabled
IOM Moscow
Federal Government Medical Hospital Centre
2-ya Zvenigorodskaya Street, 12
Telephone: +7 495 797 8723
Fax: +7 495 253 3522
Novosibirsk

Medical Clinic – Electronic Health Processing This clinic is eMedical enabled
Clinico Diagnostic Health Center ‘Reafan’
Yadrintsevskaya, 14
Novosibirsk  630099
Telephone: +7 383 222 6065, 383 222 0359
Fax: +7 383 222 4619
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm
Doctor(s):
Dr Olga Gilinskaya

Radiology Clinic – Electronic Health Processing This clinic is eMedical enabled
Federal State Insitution ' Novosibirsk Scientific Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedy' Minzdravsocrazvitia
Frunze Street 17
Novosibirsk 630047
Telephone: +7 383 224 47 10, 383 363 31 31
Fax: +7 383 224 55 70
St Petersburg

Medical and Radiology Clinic – Electronic Health Processing eHealth This clinic is eMedical enabled
American Medical Clinic
78 Moyka Embankment
Telephone: +7 812 740 2090
Fax: +7 812 310 4664
Doctor(s):
Dr Okolzina Tatiana
Vladivostok

Medical and Radiology Clinic
Tomograf-AS Ltd
Gamarnik Street – 3B
Vladivostok
Telephone: +7 423 233 6609, 423 230 0273
Fax: +7 423 233 6609
Doctor(s):
Dr Marina F. Serebryakova

Also the definition of Panel doctor ---A panel physician is a doctor or a radiologist who has been approved by the Australian Government as a member of the panel to perform medical examinations on visa applicants who have applied from outside Australia.

Medical examinations conducted overseas are only acceptable if conducted by a member of the Australian panel. More information is available about the health examination for visa applicants and attending a panel physician.

 For Ukraine there is only one on their list
Ukraine

    Panel Physicians

Panel Physicians
Kyiv (Kiev)

Medical and Radiology Clinic – Electronic Health Processing This clinic is eHealth enabled This clinic is eMedical enabled
International Organization for Migration
Hospital of the Oil-Refinery Industry of Ukraine
8 Mykoly Amosova Street
Telephone: +380 44 584 36 68, 44 584 36 69
Fax: +380 44 584 36 72
Doctor(s):
Dr Lycheva
Dr Morozova
Dr Seleznenko

 All of this is found on Aus Immi's pages ..
BUT , I will remind myself and others , that It says on the site also to wait until instructed to get the medical ( even though it also states you can lodge it with application ? But I can figure out why it would be better to wait to get it .  So now , we are lodging another tourist visa , probably early next week .  Since we don't seem to be locked into doing the medical there only .. we will see

[JayH]

Sorry if I seem to be running my own thread ,, just thought this info would be of use to others .

Go ahead!!  Few post but many read--so it becomes a resource for others. While the forums have interesting aspects it is the real issues like this that is invaluable for others in the future.

[Anotherkiwi]

Go ahead!!  Few post but many read--so it becomes a resource for others. While the forums have interesting aspects it is the real issues like this that is invaluable for others in the future.

Of course I don't live in the West Island, but I also find all this information fascinating.  It's just a shame that I'm the only Kiwi posting here since Booze Baron decided to take a holiday - and I'm nowhere near the stage of thinking about visas!

[JayH]

Of course I don't live in the West Island, but I also find all this information fascinating.  It's just a shame that I'm the only Kiwi posting here since Booze Baron decided to take a holiday - and I'm nowhere near the stage of thinking about visas!

Where is the BB? Have not heard from him in some time.

[Anotherkiwi]

Where is the BB? Have not heard from him in some time.

Last seen 16th April.

[JayH]

Just got off the phone . It seems that a lot of the rules are more logical now( I got into trouble once before on quoting out of date info!!) .
You can apply for as many categories as you like-- so that is correct. Some over ride others-- so when choosing it is about the circumstances.
In essence -Tourist in single or multiple entry
                  - 600 class partner visa-- allows 2 years
                  - 300 Marriage visa-- 9 months and must marry in that time( not sure what happens if you dont!!)
600 allows you to marry anywhere,anytime-- and can be de-facto partner
The medicals can be done in Australia. There are exceptions to this .  Probably best not to try and cover every case-get specific ruling on it.

[supraman]

I am slowly getting more confused , the more I read ..It would appear you may be correct SouthernX . On the form 40a ( class 300 application )  it says you can lodge your application in Australia, but then on the site it says this
 "Application location

You must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa, and when the visa is granted.""

 This does not worry us , as we have filed it in her country , but the next mystery is how do you know when not to be in the country? .. For now I am assuming it would be safe to keep her there after any interview or phone interview as it seems to move quickly after this stage . They also state the current waiting period for visa's processed in Moscow to be 12 months , although they do also say , generally around 6 months depending on your completeness of forms .
Still reading .......   

[JayH]

There is numerous seemingly contradictory statements on the website. I think what they are saying is-- wherever you apply that will be where you must be available eg for interview etc.  It is definitely not logical--- but hey--it is a bureaucracy!!
The most interesting changes to me look like the 600 class visa-- it creates a more logical progression of a relationship and in effect-- recognises the same legal status a partner has in Australian law.
Reading immi website provisions it is written & aimed  at the lowest common denominator. eg at people only capable of making one trip . Much of site is a throwback to how previous rules were applied and is inconsistent with current categories.

[southernX]

SP  jeff

have aread of this below from IMMI ,  i think it sets it out as clear as the gov can make it , lol 

Arranging a Health Examination
On this page

Health examinations outside Australia
Health examinations in Australia
When to arrange your health examination
What to bring
What if I don't have a valid passport?
What forms will I need?
Cost of your health examination
Health examination results


When you apply for a visa, there are specific requirements for arranging your health examination.The information below outlines the correct process and will help you complete your health examinations online at the panel clinic of your choice. You should read this information before arranging an Australian immigration health examination.Summary diagrams of the Australian immigration health process are available:
See:
The Australian immigration health process for visa applicants - PDF version (216KB PDF file)
The Australian immigration health process for visa applicants - Word version (188KB Word file)
The Australian immigration health process for clients who have not yet lodged a visa application - PDF version (223KB PDF file)
The Australian immigration health process for clients who have not yet lodged a visa application - Word file (225KB Word file)

Health examinations outside Australia
If you are applying for a visa while outside Australia you must arrange your health examinations with a panel physician. A panel physician is a doctor or a radiologist who has been appointed by the Australian Government to perform medical examinations on applicants for Australian visas outside Australia.To find a panel physician, read the list of panel physicians on our website.
See: Immigration Panel Physicians

Panel physicians in many countries are now able to process your health examinations online using our eMedical system – this means that your health results can be processed online, often in minutes, instead of four to six weeks. In some countries, you must use electronic health processing.
See: Electronic Health Processing

If you are booking an appointment with an eMedical enabled clinic, you must provide a health identifier such as a HAP ID, HRI or TRN. This number will be:

indicated on the health examinations referral letter that you can download when lodging an online visa application or using the My Health Declarations service
provided to you by your case officer after you have lodged a paper visa application.
Where possible, complete your medical history information online before you visit the panel clinic. Medical history information must be recorded before your immigration health examinations start, as the panel physician will take this information into account when conducting your medical examination.

If you have lodged an online visa application, you will be asked to complete your medical history information online when you organise your health examinations.

If you have lodged a paper visa application, you can complete your medical history information using the eMedical Client service. You will need to enter your personal details and your HAP ID. This will need to be done for each applicant on this application. You will also be asked to consent to using the eMedical system at this time.See: ]


so  with the offshore application of the fiance visa sub class 300 being lodged at moscow , your medicals for both your lady and her daughter will need to be done offshore as well , with the listed agencys accredited with IMMI in australia

given the length of time it can take to process the visa id wait until i get a notification from IMMI , that they have recieved your application and case officer is assigned , this way your medicals will be more current as the application is finalised, same with her police clearances

SX

[JayH]

Not quite on topic-- requirement of proof of health insurance while in Australia-- not of reciprocal type. Who sells that? Any experience in that anyone?
Do they mean travel insurance type provisions or something more?

[southernX]

You must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa, and when the visa is granted.""

 This does not worry us , as we have filed it in her country , but the next mystery is how do you know when not to be in the country? .. For now I am assuming it would be safe to keep her there after any interview or phone interview as it seems to move quickly after this stage . They also state the current waiting period for visa's processed in Moscow to be 12 months , although they do also say , generally around 6 months depending on your completeness of forms .
Still reading .......   

 what id suggest is rely on the case officer to give you enough information on the progress of your application up to the point that at the interview time you both make sure she is back in her home country prepared for the interview , as usually visas are granted shortly thereafter [up to 12 weeks  usually but can be sooner ]

Not quite on topic-- requirement of proof of health insurance while in Australia-- not of reciprocal type. Who sells that? Any experience in that anyone?
Do they mean travel insurance type provisions or something more?

jay , they are usually meaning you the sponsor must take out private health insurance within australia for her and any children at your own expense ,as under different visa she wont be covered by medicare ,  id speak with a private health provider within australia , i know of one bloke who did this for his partner in melbourne , and it wasnt cheap , but it did giv him peace of mind

SX

[southernX]

Just got off the phone . It seems that a lot of the rules are more logical now( I got into trouble once before on quoting out of date info!!) .
You can apply for as many categories as you like-- so that is correct. Some over ride others-- so when choosing it is about the circumstances.
In essence -Tourist in single or multiple entry
                  - 600 class partner visa-- allows 2 years
                  - 300 Marriage visa-- 9 months and must marry in that time( not sure what happens if you dont!!)
600 allows you to marry anywhere,anytime-- and can be de-facto partner
The medicals can be done in Australia. There are exceptions to this .  Probably best not to try and cover every case-get specific ruling on it.

jay is this the 600 visa you are refering to ?? 

Visitor visa (Subclass 600)

About this visa Visa applicants Visa holders Sponsors

Visitor visa (Subclass 600) Sponsored Family stream - Cut off date for December holiday period

Due to the high number of applications that we receive over the Christmas period, lodge your Visitor visa - Sponsored Family stream application by Friday 8 November 2013 to allow time for processing. Your application will be processed according to date of lodgement. We will not provide progress reports on your application for 42 days following lodgement.

For Sponsors
This information is for someone who wants to sponsor:

a family member applying for a Visitor visa in the Sponsored Family stream
an applicant for a Visitor visa in the Tourist stream (if asked to do so by the department).
As a sponsor, you will guarantee that the applicant will leave Australia before their visa expires. You may also have to pay a security bond.

For visa applicants
This information tells you what you need to do to apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600).

There are four streams to this visa:

Tourist stream
Business Visitor stream
Sponsored Family stream Approved Destination Status stream
You should apply for the stream that best suits your situation.

Show allHide all
Who can apply
To apply, you must:

meet health and character requirements
have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Australia
genuinely intend to do the activities in the stream you are applying for.
Health requirements
You must meet certain health requirements. The health examinations you need will depend on your circumstances and your country of origin or residence. The results of your health examinations are valid for 12 months.

Health insurance
You are responsible for all your health costs while you are in Australia. You will not be covered by Australia's national health scheme unless your country has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia.It is recommended that you take out health insurance each time you travel to Australia.

Character requirements
You must meet certain character requirements. You must be prepared to provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years after you turned 16 years of age. Do not arrange for police certificates until the department asks you to.

Debts to the Australian Government
To enter Australia you must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged to repay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government.

Provide biometrics
You might be asked to provide biometrics (a scientific form of identification) as part of the application. Countries and visa subclasses included in the biometrics program has more information.

Tourist stream
You must also be able to show that you are travelling to Australia as a genuine visitor, for example as a tourist, for recreation or to visit your family and friends.

If you apply in Australia, you must be in Australia when the visa is decided.
If you apply outside Australia, you must be outside Australia when the visa is decided.
If you have a 'No further stay' condition on your visa, you cannot apply for a new visa while you are in Australia. This condition may be waived in exceptional circumstances. If you are visiting family, we might request that you provide a sponsor and security bond.

You might be granted a visa under this stream for regular extended visits to Australia if you are either:

the parent or step-parent of an Australian citizen or permanent resident
the parent of an eligible New Zealand citizen.
Visitor visas for parents of Australians
Due to the length of the permanent Parent (Migrant) visa (subclass 103) queue, and the desirability of family reunion, the department may grant a more generous Visitor visa. You will automatically be considered for this if you are a parent or step-parent of:

an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
an eligible New Zealand citizen.
We will consider these applications on a case-by-case basis and can grant visas that last up to:

five years for parents outside Australia who are in the Parent (Migrant) visa (subclass 103) queue
three years for parents outside Australia who have had a previous Australian visa and complied with the visa conditions, and either:
have not applied for a Parent visa
have applied for a Parent visa (subclass 103) but are not yet in the Parent visa queue
18 months for parents who have not previously travelled to Australia and either
have not applied for a Parent visa, or
have applied for a Parent visa (subclass 103) but are not yet in the Parent visa queue.
The visa will have 3 extra visa conditions:

Maximum 12 month stay in 18 months: You cannot stay in Australia for more than 12 months on any visit or for more than 12 months in any 18-month period.
Health insurance: You must maintain fully comprehensive health insurance while you are in Australia. You could be asked to provide evidence of 12 months health insurance cover when you apply. Reciprocal health arrangements are not adequate to meet this requirement.
No further stay: You cannot apply for a new visa while you are in Australia. This condition may be waived in exceptional circumstances.    Business Visitor stream
You must be able to show:

your business background
you will be undertaking one or more of the business activities listed below
that you have a good business reason for travelling to Australia.
Business activities include:

making general business or employment enquiries
investigating, negotiating, signing or reviewing a business contract
activities carried out as part of an official government-to-government visit
participating in conferences, trade fairs or seminars, as long as you are not being paid by the organisers for your participation.
You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided.

You do not need a sponsor to apply for this stream.

Sponsored Family stream
You must be able to show:

you are travelling to Australia as a genuine visitor
you are sponsored by an eligible relative or an Australian government official.
We may request you to provide a security bond. This is decided on a case-by-case basis, and we will tell you in writing if you need to provide a bond.

The bond:

is usually between AUD5000 and AUD15 000 per person (but the department can ask for any amount)
must be paid in full before a final decision can be made on the visa application
is refunded if your visitor leaves Australia before their visa expires and, if they have complied with all visa conditions.
The Sponsored Family stream visa has a 'No further stay' condition, which means that you cannot apply for a new visa while you are in Australia. This condition may be waived in exceptional circumstances

SX

[southernX]

 
 the easies way to find the correct visa information for you and which visa is most suited to your personal situation is to use the following link below and answer the questions honestly

it will put you where you have the best chance of success with a visa application that suits your situation , doing it that way you minimise any risk of rejection , and keep it as simple as the process will allow

http://www.immi.gov.au/visawizard/#vw=%23a_step_1

SX

[supraman]

Ok ,, just got off the phone with Immi .. I may be as surprised as SouthernX on this one ( but I am glad )  Good news  .. the medical can be done anywhere in the world as long as it is a panel registered Doctor .. It can be done before , but with limitation on who can do this ( Not Russian ladies --full e- medical country required to lodge medical with visa ) so that cleans that one up a bit  . 

 Damn ,, now I need to ring back and ask what happens if they are here on tourist visa when their 300 class is approved -- It can't hurt to ask   

I did explain we are bringing her out while we wait for 300 class  and what to do if they request the medical while she is here . Got the answer I was hoping for 

[southernX]

Ok ,, just got off the phone with Immi .. I may be as surprised as SouthernX on this one ( but I am glad )  Good news  .. the medical can be done anywhere in the world as long as it is a panel registered Doctor .. It can be done before , but with limitation on who can do this ( Not Russian ladies --full e- medical country required to lodge medical with visa ) so that cleans that one up a bit  . 

 Damn ,, now I need to ring back and ask what happens if they are here on tourist visa when their 300 class is approved -- It can't hurt to ask   

I did explain we are bringing her out while we wait for 300 class  and what to do if they request the medical while she is here . Got the answer I was hoping for 

surprising result SP

im happy for you both , however iv found phone info can vary and sometimes not hold up due to breakdowns in communication in understanding the callers specific situation and questions from IMMI,s side , keep us posted as it progresses 

as for being in country when the sub 300 is granted , ??

there again it seems pretty clear  from all experience she cant be or should not be
ask the question see what response you get , probably advise if she was she might need to go back home and re enter 

maybe IMMI are becoming more accomodating for us aussies 

SX

[supraman]

Another call to Immi with varying results .  This guy did not sound super confident , but advised if the case officer is advised when she travels out of her country ( yep even to Ukraine ) It will be ok as this happens for business people all the time ...Apparently . He said that he was not sure what would happen if she was here under tourist visa when it is approved other than suggest she would have to return home for it to take effect , so for the moment I will not push our luck and stick with the first tourist visa and then play the waiting game.
  Until I get something in writing it is a bit of a guessing game . He did also suggest talking with the case officer before arranging travel as the case officer should be able to give a rough time frame to go by ... But who really knows ??   
  Ps . I am aware that basically it is all hear say for the moment , with nothing in writing . I will keep looking out of interest as to what happens "if "she is here .  this will be fun

[JayH]

surprising result SP

maybe IMMI are becoming more accomodating for us aussies 

SX

Maybe they are looking more kindly on those that do not swim ashore!!

[supraman]

Maybe they are looking more kindly on those that do not swim ashore!!

  I like your humour JayH.