I did RA-AUS first and am converting to PPL now. By the time I'm finished I expect it will have cost about 60% of your quote. Be less if I had done it in a more condensed block but that's not possible and I fly when I can which means I've had plenty of revision to do.
Try Temora. 2.5hrs from Canberra, good value, good weather and excellent instructors.
Scott