I can tell you it is quite difficult to get back to OZ once you've been overseas for a while foodstamps.
I was overseas for 8 years and have only just managed to get back to Oz. And I was flying a wide body, internationally with a major airline.
The problem is 2 fold, firstly none of the medicals, recurrences, renewals etc. etc. count back in Oz. So when your filling out the online applications ( which any half assed carrier in Oz now make you do ) you can't put down yes when it asks do you have a current Oz class 1 medical, do you have a current MECIR, do you have an ASIC etc. So when the system goes to vet the applications, guess what! Yours goes straight into the bin!
So your only option is to spend the little leave time you get every year running around trying to keep all that stuff current and paying for it out of your back pocket. Or you let it all lapse and try and get it all current again when you decide to come back. Again a very time consuming and expensive undertaking (I know this is what I had to do) as there are additional expenses and time requirements with getting your class 1 medical back esp.
Secondly, once you decide to come back to Oz you have to accept that you’re going to have to go right to the bottom of the pile (again something I know about personally). This can be a bitter pill for a lot of guys wanting to come home to swallow. It doesn't matter how many command hours you have on Jets, 2 crew turbo-props, or kite's, it all counts for naught when you get into a company in Australia, you join the queue for bases, commands, fleet transfers etc. just like everybody else.
Don't like it! "Stiff s#$t” will be the reply. So your left with the choice of staying overseas and being unhappy ( and you will be after a while, everyone is, there's only 1 Australia! ) or coming home to a far less glamorous position, but loving the lifestyle it affords you and your family ( yes, at some point your going to end up with one of these as well ). Trust me happy wife, happy life. Unhappy wife, look out!
The choice is yours; just know that there are some obstacles to returning to fly in Australia. Another one can be that the guy's recruiting for companies in Oz probably did their fair share of hard yards in the bush, so are always going to look more favorably on an applicant who has done that as well (thankfully I didn't have to find out about this 1 personally as I did 5 years GA before I headed off OS).
So choose, but choose wisely! For what going overseas can give you in the short term, it can just as easily take away from you in the long term. I've been lucky, I've had opportunities to live and work overseas, gotten to fly aircraft I never would have gotten to fly back here in Australia, and seen parts of the world few Aussies get to experience. And I've managed to get myself back to Australia after ticking many of life’s boxes. But a lot of guys don't.
Overseas can be exciting and fun and an opportunity. But don't necessarily turn your back on other opportunities that are exciting and fun. I.e. GA bush flying. Probably the best 5 years of my life, and I know a lot of guys would tell you the same thing.
Oh well your choice. Either way, hang on and don't forget to enjoy the ride.
The Monster!