I remember someone else telling me they did all their paperwork in NZ berfore coming to Oz and got nothing but grief and the whole process to forever, I remember him telling me he should have just done it here for all it was worth
I was already living in Oz before I decided to transfer everything over but I spent about 1 hour in the CASA office getting all the copies of my log book witnessed and stamped, filled out all the paperwork on the spot and got my licence, ASIC and medical all in the mail within a month, infact I was totally amazed how quick and easy it was and regretted never doing it sooner! I left NZ bitter and twisted about the aviation industry and ready to give up, but now I have realized that NZ will do that to you.
By the way there were no lawyers ever involved....just myself and the chick at the CASA front desk...