Tosh
I'm not aussie but trust me when I say I know the place very well.
I did my conversion to aussie ATPL some 5 years ago flying F/O on the 747/400 at the time. As an experienced North of the equator ATPL I only had to take air law, juggling between CAO's and CAR's enough to have you locked into a padded room, a writen IFR test and a flight test. Nothing insurmountable really.
I now proudly flash my Australian ATPL anywhere I go..........and that's about the only satisfaction it ever gave me.
Getting a job there is............well, impossible, more so now with the collapse of Ansett.
VB ?? Have a look at the Godzone forum and you'll hear the stampede of the very eager applicants. Better not stand in the way.
I am sorry to say that Europe has much broader views when it comes to foreigners, right of abode excluded and that's a fact. Not all non british pilot's are married to EEC passport holders. They sneaked into the system and that's all there is to it. The reverse once again is close to impossible and frankly I understand why. If given the choice between the 2, Godzone gets my vote.