If you are really on the ‘hold file’ for QLink after 18 months, you should be thanking your lucky stars and look elsewhere.
Fixed it for you.
There are current FO's at Qlink who were on the hold file for over two years. They treat you badly like this so that you're used to it by the time you join!
I left there late last year, and they were experiencing 30% pilot turnover per year for the previous two years. Some were "allowed" to go to mainline/Jetstar, but the ONLY reason there was any progression allowed was to attempt to stem the flow of pilots to other carriers. Since I left there have been plenty others leave, some to Emirates, some to Virgin, and even one to Virgin to fly the ATR!
The pilots who are left get flogged. Right now pilots are leaving as fast as they can be replaced. Nothing will change until they pay their guys/gals more and give them more time off.
Last I heard, new joiners cannot progress to another part of the group for 24 months. If your aim is to fly for Q-mainline, apply to Rex.