Now is the best time
It would seem that opperators would take what they can get at the moment. But would you move out of Sydney for a full time job? Or is holidays an option, because you can rack up hours quick these days.
It doesn't matter how many hours you have you can find yourself moving away from the family for progression, and even when you are in your 'Dream Job' you might have to be away half the time and miss alot. I guess really evaluate the career your going into before you invest more time. It is a hard one on the family. And that is most jobs from flogging around the north in a 182 upto a 747 LHS.
Good luck, all the very best with it...