TD,
A recent flight safety magazine had an article in the back with a statement some thing like there was 14,000 unemployed CPLs in Australia. An oversupply of pilots at the bottom end pushes the wages at the bottom end down.
The way to get ahead in GA is : know people, contacts, expereince, the right attitude, and willingness to move away from captial cities to get the experience.
Merlin boy :
I work with a few guys who have partners in GA for many years, their partners have jobs which enable them to pick up work regardless of where you are in the country, doctors, nursers, teachers, etc.
I know quite a few guys about that are on over 40k just flying piston twins, kicking back enjoying life, I know it does not allow you to buy a 2004 top of line series merc but a lot of the guys have decent cars.
MAXX,
Wages at RFDS are better than that, have a look at the award ....