As rotor said, he went up to Florida to get them out of the way. Obviously the FAA ATP, not a bad option if you are not considering QF, not sure about the rest these days if they accept the converted FAA.
Pove put it this way you may be happy flying a 404, why not great aircraft, but lets say you are belting around in the 404 and an oportunity knocks up to belt around in a DC3, well without the ATP you are in the right seat only.
In other words heed the wise word of wisdom here and get them done, not necissarily the Aussie way though as you may not need to.
With the FAA you need the hours to go and get the ATP issued, you can do frozen theory but no point really. Jump on the FAA site, though the flight hours are similar to Oz. Then its over to the States with a plethora of options do the exam online after a weeks study (GLIEM), you will then need to fly with an instructor in a twin engine piston, say a Seminloe or the likes, then the ATP check ride. All up its basically a very detailed IFR check ride and including the check if you are current with the flying expect no more than 10 hours total flying (rates in the States are cheaper than Oz).
Then its an exam conversion back here (only ATP Air Law as you will already have your Aussie CPL and IFR) and bingo, although I did hear rumor only that CASA was going to make it harder to go this route?
Cost v Oz...
FAA - return airfares to the East Coast of the US of A say $1800,
Theory - around a couple of hundred including the exam,
10 hours in a twin say around $350 an hour max including instructor,
Examiners fee around $350 - $500,
Accomodation to your requirements,
A great holiday while you do it!
Only problem now is the bl**dy exchange rate!
