Hi Always, thanks for your response - it's exactly what I wanted to know... Whilst Lorraine and I have been here almost 2 years, the conditions of receiving (a very limited) age pension from both Australia and New Zealand mean we have to put both feet on the ground in Australia, even overnight, within 26 weeks of footing it last time. So we never get to "stay" here for more than 6 months - usually just a few days short...

 

If you are over by 1 day or 20 days you will have to pay for the extension at the airport and you could be subject to a penalty, best to go to immigration, it is a serious offence to overstay your visit.