Do visitors to Australia need a medical examination before being granted a visitor visa?

Generally, a medical examination is needed for any visas with a validity of 12 months or more.  For persons under the age of 70 years old, as a policy if the individual is generally healthy, no medical examination is required if the visa is for a period shorter than 12 months.  However, for individuals over 70 years of age, it is a policy of the Department of Immigration that the visa applicant has a medical examination and also pay medical insurance before the grant of a visitor visa regardless of the length of stay permitted.