Direct entry hiring isn’t really done here in Oz because all of our airlines run off a seniority system so everyone starts at the bottom regardless of experience.
I would suggest that this is no longer true in Australia other than Virgin and Qantas and even Virgin has taken DE Captains before.
As an example, Network are advertising for direct entry F100 Captains, non type rated. Cobham have taken direct entry B717 and Bae146 Captains, both non type rated, some applicants were type rated. Skippers take direct entry, so does Air North on Metro fleet (if it is still flying). As mentioned above VARA take direct entry F100 and A320 Captains. Regional Express also take on direct entry Captains.
The industry has moved on, the "shortage" is being felt so old ways of doing things are changing.