Hi Ausgirl,
Unfortunately you'll find that attitude here as well, the industry just isn't doing so well.
The jobs for 500 hour pilots are either floats (If you've got 100 or 200 on floats), instructing or working the ramp and loading bags etc. before moving on to right seat of a Twin turbine. The wait time for a pilot spot from the ramp is anywhere between 8 months to two years, so if you were planning on just coming for 6 months I think you'd be very hard pressed to get a flying spot.
You may be able to find places to tow gliders or fly skydrivers, but these are generally low (or no) paying jobs and don't give a lot of hours.
Sorry for the bad news,
Good Luck!