Snowflake

I believe the maximum of 12 months within 18 months is only applicable if condition 8558 is imposed on your visa.

For example, I was in Aus for 2 years (WHVs) and then got an evisitor straight after which allowed me to come and go.

There was no 8558 condition imposed so technically I could have applied for another evisitor.

But the 12 months is in ANY 18 month period (doesn't reset) so if you get a visitor visa (12 months) with condition 8558 and you've spent quite a bit of time in Australia then it's very unlikely that they will grant another tourist visa right after.

3 hours ago, jd0830 said:

That's a relief. Btw did you know when your CO has been allocated?

No, they didn't need any more information or anything so it literally just went from received to finalised and I got an email to notify me that it's been granted.

Not necessarily, a visa of mine went from "received" to "finalised" and nothing else in between (it was granted).

8 hours ago, Ce22 said:

Thanks snowflake, can I be nosey and ask how long you was/have been on  BVA for? and is your visa application work related? 

I've been on my BVA for 6 months now (4 months at the time of BVB application) and I've applied for a partner visa 820/801.

8 hours ago, Ce22 said:

I only ask as for your situation there would be something very wrong if they didn't allow you back to see your sick mum. 

My situation is way less of a deal I've been working for my RSMS employer for a year and a half  )12 months on BVA) and what I thought was a two year commitment is fast becoming four. 

Im basically after a break from the outback and to see some friends from home who I miss and probably won't see again for atleast two years which is more or less what I put on the application (applied today) so will be interesting to see what happens. 

Do you know the reasoning behind why you should be in the country for application decisions? Aslong as your doing what your supposed be doing you should still be allowed a bit of time away for whatever reason? 

Leaving Australia is not a problem  What I meant is if you apply for some visas onshore then you have to be back in Australia if they're ready to make a decision. This doesn't apply to all visas. For example, onshore Partner Visa says "You must be in Australia when you lodge your application and when a decision is made on the temporary Partner visa (subclass 820)" but the 189 and 190 don't require this: "You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when a decision is made."

For the BVB it says "You and anyone included in your application must be in Australia when the BVB application is lodged and granted."

Best of luck!! I hope you hear back soon

I applied for a BVB about 3 months ago and it was granted within 24 hours. 

My mother was sick and I supplied evidence of this along with the application so I don't know if that helped at all or not.

If you leave, your BVA will be cancelled but not the actual visa application, that would still be processed but bear in mind, most visa applications applied for onshore require you to be onshore when a decision is made.