In answer to the licence documents:
In Australia, when you first register with CASA for any exam (Pilot or AME), they issue you with an ARN (Aviation Reference Number) that will be your tracking number with them for the rest of your career.
Back in the old days, Australian LAMEs were issued a separate "Licence Number". If you were dealing with CASA in NSW, your licence number started with N. In Victoria, it started with V, etc.
For many years now, they have just added an "L" to the beginning of your ARN when they issue you an AME licence. Pilot Licences just use the ARN itself.
The licences, however, are completely different documents that look nothing alike.