Vampy,
There are only two ATC service providers in Australia (Oz), Airservices Australia (AsA) and the RAAF. UK nationals can apply for both, but normal imigration rules apply, I think.
AsA runs every control tower and centre in Oz. A monoply. The RAAF look after the military airfields to a certain extent (usually just tower and approach).
AsA will take any sort of controller, tower, approach, en-route. In fact two Kiwi controllers have just started in Brisbane Centre, where I work. But remember, Kiwis and Aussies can work and live in either country without visas or changing nationality.
I work with one controller who used to work at Belfast, but married an Aussie girl. Another ATC from Belfast is now a supervisor in Melbourne Centre.
Yes, like most of the rest of the world, Oz is short of controllers, and it wouldn't hurt to get on-line with
www.AirservicesAustralia.com to check out recruitment. Our union website,
www.civilair.asn.au also can help out.
Give it a go. All us convicts can't be wrong. Deportation to a sunny clime with sandy beaches and blue skies......oh no!
PS. Me mums a kraut and my father's grandparents were all irish, so I'm not a convict, just a heinz variety aussie.