Hi easyswimmer,
Don't be completely put off by the negativitey here, but, as one of the many who has gone in the other direction let me try and explain-
Firstly, Australia has a very large GA scene in relation to the size of its' airlines. It is therefore not uncomman for pilots to have several thousand hours, mostly multi-engine command, before being considered by the airlines. Indeed, it is a requirement to have 750 hrs command time before you can be PIC of a transport aircraft. This is not time you can acumulate in the RHS, you need it before you join. Whilst time on type is good, Virgin are a fund-your-own-type-rating airline, so they are happy enough getting non-rated but high hour people from GA.
Secondly, if by "Going back to props" you mean getting a job flying Turbo-props, that is almost as hard as landing a jet job, as the legion of pilots who didn't get an airline job, but are now even MORE experienced, are obviously after turbo-prop jobs as the next-best thing.
The usual avenue for pilots in Aus is to obtain a job flying pistons in the outback. You are simultainiously over-qualified for these, but lack virtually any relevant experience for this type of position.
Added to this is the fact you have a family. Living in Aus in one of the major cities or large coastal towns is great. Sunshine, beaches, relaxed attitudes and all that. Financially, taxation wise, housing cost wise etc. etc. you will not be signifigantly better off than in Europe, and carreer and education wise you kids will not be signifigantly advantaged (We actually have our kids in EXCELLENT state schooling in the UK, whilst we were going to have to fund private in Aus.).
Living in an Outback, rural community, however, is an entirerly different matter. Oppresively hot, limited cultural and liesure facilities, LOUSY education (Most families in the outback who can afford it send their kids to boarding school) and, in the first instance, you will be on SERIOUSLY bad money (Try the equivalent of £8000 p.a.).
That's the game as I see it and why, with around 14 000hrs, I'm looking out my Manchester window at the rain!!
If you really want to go to Aus, SERIOUSLY think about a change of professtion.