Gudday all,
Wiz,
Almost certain the answer is yes. Being married to an Australian Citizen gives you right of abode (inclusive of right to work) and permanent residence and citizenship after a qualifying period. Points system only applies if you are seeking skilled migration as an individual.
I think your explanation is a little lacking. Technically simply being married to an Aussie means SFA, zip, nada. Hypothetically an Aussie citizen could marry someone who the government just will not, under any circumstances, let into the country. Reasons for this include criminal convictions, health issues and dozens of other reasons.
I can state categorically that
being married to an Australian Citizen does not give you right of abode.
I knew a guy** who fell in love with, and quickly married, an Asian lady, thinking pretty much what you wrote: that she would be allowed to come to Australia due to them being married. She had TB and other lung issues and three years elapsed while they tried to get her healthy enough to pass the health test for immigration (quite a comprehensive test with physical examinations, blood tests, xrays etc.). During this time he spent tens of thousands on her health and on commuting regularly from Oz to Asia to be with her. Unfortunately circumstances took a toll on them both and their relationship didn't make it.
End result: two very unhappy people destined to be apart from each other and one very broke guy.
I simply tell this true story to illustrate that the process is not always cut and dried, there can be obstacles.
My experience was via the Spouse visa. A Spouse visa, once granted, gives you the right of abode (with conditions) very limited access to Centrelink benefits, but it does give you the right to work here.
As others have said, you would still need to convert your licence to an Aussie one.
Hope this helps.
ABX
Ps. We didn't consult an immigration lawyer and I wouldn't recommend using them either. We successfully did it all ourselves, I only would have used a lawyer if things went wrong. Lawyers are expensive, I know two different couples who got the Spouse visa and it cost couple A $6000 and couple B $19000. Doing it ourselves cost around $2000 in fees and expenses such as medical etc.
**No, this is not my story, it really happened to a guy I knew.