AUSTRALIA has temporarily banned visitors from Ebola-stricken Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone in west Africa.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison told Parliament that immigration had been suspended, and no new visas were being processed.

Citizens and permanent residents can re-enter the country, but tourism, study and humanitarian visas were temporarily halted as long as a fortnight ago.

“We’re not processing any applications from the affected countries,’’ Mr Morrison said.

“We are cancelling and refusing non-permanent or temporary visas from persons from Ebola-infected countries who haven’t departed yet.’’

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People on humanitarian programs with visas were still being allowed in, provided they had three separate health checks before their departure and submitted to a 21-day quarantine on arrival.

At least four West African families are under quarantine in Queensland, including the family of a woman, 18, who fell ill earlier this week.

That woman, understood to be a refugee from Guinea who arrived 12 days ago with seven relatives, was yesterday cleared of the virus by Queensland health officials.

Mr Morrison said 830 people had been referred for screenings. None had been required to attend hospital.

The minister pleaded with anyone intending to travel from the Ebola zone to alert Border Protection officials.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten yesterday continued to attack the Federal Government over its refusal to send any Australian health workers to the Ebola zone.

Saying the Australian Medical Association had called the Government’s response a “shambles”, he asked when Australia would join other developed nations in tackling Ebola at its source.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the Government took the views of the AMA “very seriously” but didn't always agree. “We are well prepared to deal with any Ebola case here in Australia,” he said.

“We also have a ready reaction team that can deploy at a moment’s notice to our region to deal with any outbreak in countries which are less well prepared than Australia to deal with this matter.

“That is our priority: at home, and in our region.

“Nevertheless, we are continuing to talk to our friends and partners about what more might be done to address the situation in West Africa.

“I certainly don’t rule out Australia doing more.’’

ellen.whinnett@news.com.au