No. Each family member has to make a separate visa application even if they are included in your passport and do not hold any other passport.

If you were granted an evisitor visa (subclass 651) your maximum stay period in Australia is 3 months and you cannot extend your stay by submitting a further application in Australia for the same visa subclass. You can, however, apply in Australia for a subclass 600 visitor visa before your current visa expires. You will be granted a Bridging A visa to enable you to remain lawfully in Australia until your application is decided.

Visitor visas when granted are usually valid for 12 months and during this period you can enter Australia and be able to remain for the authorised specified period which is usually 3, 6 or 12 months.

The decision to engage a MARA registered migration agent is a personal choice. If you do require assistance with the visa process, the Department of Home Affairs strongly recommend that you appoint an agent who is registered with MARA who must satisfy a strict code of conduct and:

• maintain current knowledge of migration law and procedure
• keep a professional library with direct access to migration regulations via Legend
• undertake continuous professional development in order to maintain knowledge of migration regulations and policy

An agent who is not registered with MARA cannot offer you any legal protection and is not accountable for his/her actions and therefore might:

• make false claims about your chances of success
• give you incorrect advice
• have limited knowledge about current Australian visa legislation and procedures
• increase your risk of being exposed to migration fraud
• charge fees which are unreasonable and excessive.

In general a visitor visa does not allow you to work in Australia, however, you might be able to work as a volunteer if:

• your main purpose in visiting Australia is tourism and the voluntary work is incidental to tourism
• the work is genuinely voluntary and you are not paid for it, other than for meals, accommodation or out of pocket living expenses
• the work would not otherwise be done in return for wages by an Australian resident.

You can engage in business visitor activities while in Australia provided you do not work for or provide services to a business or organisation and do not sell goods or services to the public.

Business visitor activities include:

• making general business or employment enquiries
• Undertaking research in preparation for a future business visa application
• 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.

The United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands,, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Malta, Slovenia and New Zealand have Reciprocal Health Care agreements with Australia. Visitors to Australia from threse countries are entitled to limited subsidised health services from Medicare for treatment that is deemed absolutely necessary in an emergency. Treatment for medical conditions can be extremely costly in Australia. For example, one day in hospital can cost over AUD1,000 just in hospital fees. It is therefore your responsibility to consider whether you need to arrange comprehensive medical insurance before you visit Australia.

To be granted an eVisitor visa for Australia you must not have a conviction that resulted in a prison sentence or suspended sentence of 12 or more months or been convicted for 2 or more offences where the combined length of the sentences amounts to 12 or more months. If you have concerns as to whether you meet the character requirement, you should apply for a subclass 600 visitor visa for Australia. Completing this form will enable the Department of Home Affairs to consider your personal circumstances in advance of your travel which will minimise the risk of being refused entry at the Austraian border. Visitors arriving in Australia are required to complete an Incoming Passenger Card. This is a legal document and you must disclose any current or previous convictions which may result in you being interviewed at immigration clearance.

Yes, all non Australian citizens need to apply for the appropriate visitor visa prior to travelling to Australia. The type of visa you apply for will depend on the country of your passport, your proposed period of stay and whether you have any criminal convictions. Please note that the visa granted to you will be linked to the passport presented at the time of application and if you change your passport following the grant of your visa you will need to notify the Deopartment of Home Affairs of your new details to avoid problems when checking in for your flight.

Although there is no specific amount that you are required to have in your bank account, the Department of Home Affairs will want to see either at the time of application or at the Australian border that you have enough money for the duration of your proposed stay including sufficient funds to purchase an onward flight ticket. As a guide you should have funds of at least AUD5,000 but this amount will depend on the duration of your stay and planned activities. This can be demonstrated through a personal bank statement, credit card or a letter from a family member or friend confirming that you are being supported with accommodation and living expenses.