The problem is it is hit and miss. All as pax, last arrival into MEL a breeze, the one before a cluster.
LAX last week the line for immigration was savage, asked why and told they were understaffed. Mentioned worried about a connection no worries sir come with me and through the crew lane. How would that go down in Aus?
There are places I travel that I actually pick my arrival time as it’s generally a quieter time (no it doesn’t always work).
Leaving AUS from MEL & BNE has been very easy of late, oh yes the brilliant duty free options.
As many say, first impressions count. A cluster of an arrival experience to then get out into a $50-$150 taxi/uber fare.