Like Mr Rancid (hey, nice name, I thought mine was off-putting!) I went the prospective marriage route and it took about a month to process. The paperwork was fairly straightforward and the follow-up interview once we got hitched was a smooth as it can be (we has a baby on the way, which helped with providing 'evidence' of our relationship ...).
You get 9 months from 'application accepted' to get married but I'd leave AT LEAST one month free at the end to get the follow-up visa you need approved.
This second visa will last you until you get Permanent Residency (commonly called PR). For me this is 2 years after we became a 'spousal' relationship. Be aware there is also a fairly significant charge for the second visa ... a fact I overlooked :).
I liked the idea of being able to work immediately on the Prospective Marriage Visa which, I would imagine, be looked on more favourably than a tourist visa for potential employment purposes.
If you have not known (and lived with) your partner for at least 12 months (I think ... check this) then the Prosp Marriage Visa seems the easiest route as you are not considered 'De Facto' ... as long as you don't mind getting hitched that is :D
And if you have any doubts about coming to Oz, don't, it's faaaaantastic!
Best Of Luck, Matt
--
