Monopole
One can't win with STARs. It's no uncommon to be told to expect star on a transfer, to call the next agency, to be told, "STAR clearance available".
Nor is it uncommon to be told to transfer without advice to expect STAR and to be given it straight up.
I guess from an ATCO's perspective they can't win either.
My usual course of action to try and avoid him/her telling me they've got what I expect is to say, "Melbourne/Brisbane Centre, ABC, FL370, Go Ahead/Ready to copy", as appropriate. Non standard I know, but saves much too-ing and fro-ing.