MT,
As an Aussie who's flown in the US&A for the last 10 years, all I can tell you is that Class D airfields generally work the same way a GAAP does. Although it's unusual to have 2 controllers working 2 parrallels unless it's extremely busy. The Class D's also have the same reporting points, when inbound for circuits or landing.
I can remember about 5 years ago when I was geting my CASA ATPL, that all the guys at Archerfield were up in arms about adopting a US based airspace system. They seemed to be getting their tits in a tangle about GA using the same airspace as RPT carriers and even self-reporting at uncontrolled airfields.
As far as I'm concerned, I've flown in both types of airspace and I dread having to do my IR renewal due to the redundant and pointless procedures/radio calls. It's all far more difficult than it needs to be: A good example is an A/C on an IFR flight plan, requiring a clearance into controlled airspace, when you've been talking to BNE radar for the last 30 mins!!
As a wise man once said: Australia is the Galapagos of the aviation world.
Good luck changing the old-school mentality in Oz.