Yes MACH777, I believe that in 18-24 months, if things continue as they are at present - and there's no reason to believe they won't - that you will be pretty much in the "box seat" to choose a job that will advance your career fairly quickly. About 4 or 5 years back, young pilots with experience similar to yours were taken on by Countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, and employed as F/O's on turbine and jet equipment. We now have one such guy - a 28 year old New Zealander - who has joined the company I work for, as a B737 captain, on a salary and conditions that would equate to well over $300k AUD's. Asia, in general, does NOT have a lot of young pilots waiting for airline prospects, and as a result when Asian airlines undergo rapid expansion, they are "forced" to take non-nationals. This may happen again, before your 18-24 month estimate, and it will be up to you to leave the "security blanket" of Australia to further your career.
Unfortunately, there is no real career path as a First Officer (as honourable as the position is), and you will need to get your command as quickly as possible - preferably on jet equipment.
Hope this is of some help.