Just a comment about comparing oz atc to that in most places OS ... Australian ATC's work their positions solo, whereas foreign controllers have an assistant for internal coordination, which allows them to handle around double the traffic. Same same, but different.
Three methods of flow sequencing:
1. Dirty speeds on descent and long (40 NM) downwinds depending on traffic ... this is the US style. Delays absorbed with extended vectoring at low level.
2. Profile to the close-in stack ... circle until it's your turn, this is the European style. Delays absorbed in holding patterns at levels 6000 and up.
3. Reduced speed in cruise, high level holding patterns, profile speed into circuit, this is the Australian style. Delays absorbed at high level, uncongested TMAs generally, but inaccuracies meeting gate (feeder fix) times will lead to inefficient approach acceptance rates, with the slow down/speed up scenario common.
Airlines will generally agree that (3) gives overall best solution to the 'bottom line' and it's easy here where the enroute airspace is generally empty compared to European and North American skies.