Craxy Sandra-Don't worry that you are only 20. Even though the official rule is you need to be 21 years of age to join, my friend got in years ago at the age of 20, she was an exception. I think the fact that she spoke english and german fluently, and had 2 years of nursing training under her belt, together with the fact that she was very mature for 20 helped her, so do not fret too much!
Yes I find it unusual how in oz (i've just got a job with Qantas casuals Iworked for emirates 8 years ago) they are so rigid about references, my god! I have flown with several airlines and companies since, and written detailed referencel letters of my work perfomance were always enough. Qantas wanted THREE telephone references for me, they called overseas and all, they spent almost half an hour on the phone to each one, asking endless questions about my good points, bad points, would they hire me again, honest to god, like the bleedin Spanish inquisition! Talk about strict, I do not undestand this.
In europe and the rest of the world, companies do not operate like this, as references are considerd important, but its more about proving yourslef once on the job. Also its easy to get someone in the company you worked for who may have been a friend to promote you to the ends of the world and more and more international companies know this.
Australia needs to catch up with the rest of the world!