Bend
So it looks like the best bet is to ensure you have an employer lined up to assist with the visa and it will assist with all conversion costs and exams. If you don't need a visa you will probably be on your own to get everything done to be employable.
Looks like a lot of the minimums are coming down eg Qantas and Rex, but regardless of your experience you still need the CASA instrument rating and ATP subjects completed. Most foreign pilots don't appreciate what is involved.
I often have FAA qualified pilots asking me about working in Oz because they hear the stories on the alleged pilot shortage but when I explain they will need to do ATP exams that are more comparable to JAA than FAA and the potential costs of the MECIR their interest fades a lot. I don't think anyone has nominated any airlines that will sponsor pilots.