Hi,
I did my stage 1 interview on 20 Aug and I booked my sim for 12 Nov. This was the earliest available. I do know several applicants are now booking sims in Dec.
Even if you pass the sim you just get put into the hold pool and at the moment they are not offering any jobs to those in it. Also you only get 12 months in the hold pool so the sooner you are in the soon you get kicked out.
All the best