There are a many types of visas available for people who wish to visit Australia temporarily:

1. Tourist Visa (subclass 676)
2. Sponsored Family Visitor Visa (subclass 679)
3. Electronic Travel Authority (Visitor) (subclass 976) (ETA)
4. Medical Treatment (Short Stay) (subclass 675)
5. Medical Treatment (Long Stay) (subclass 685)

Only the Tourist Visa - subclass 676 and Medical Treatment Visa (subclass 675/685) can be applied for and granted while the applicant is in Australia.

Rest of the visas will have to be lodged while the applicant is outside Australia.

Tourist subclass 676 and Sponsored Family Visitor 679 are appropriate for those who genuinely intend to visit Australia for a short duration, for the purpose of tourism, or to see family and friends, or to study for three months or less.

For those intending to come to Australia for a business trip or to attend a conference or a seminar the Business Short Stay subclass 456 and Sponsored Business Visitor subclass 459 Visas are more appropriate.

Work Rights:

Except for a Tourist subclass 676 Visa granted on the basis that the applicant is suffering financial hardship and has a compelling need to work, subclass 676 and 679 visas has a mandatory 'no work' condition 8101 imposed. 

Security Bond for Sponsored Family Visitors 679 visa:
DIAC has a discretion to ask for a security (an amount of money) to be lodged as a requirement for the granting of the visa. 

Whether or not a security is requested and the amount of the security depends on the circumstances of the case and the extend to which the circumstances suggest a risk of visa non-compliance.

Generally a figure of between $5000 to $15000 will be requested.

The security bond will be refunded once the visa holder leaves Australia without breaching the visa conditions.  If the visa holder breaches any visa condition, the security bond will be forfeited.