The one bit I still can't answer is with respect to CSU/Retract, Tailwheel etc. They're endorsed on my Australian license, but differences training here. Whilst LASORS includes provision for my night rating to come across, I can't see how the tailwheel etc., work - reasonably as they're endorsed, I'd expect that to cover the differences training, but reasonable and law aren't always the closest bedfellows...
I think the difference is exactly as you describe - a rating vs. an endorsement.
A rating is formally added to license and if you want to transfer a rating from one license to another, you've got a bit of paperwork to do. But an endorsement is simply a sign-off in your logbook by an instructor, after having completed the required training. Nothing written on the license.
So I would assume that if you've got an Australian CSU/retract/tailwheel "endorsement" and the UK CAA also requires an "endorsement" for those items, you're covered. Also, as far as I know, the wording for these kinds of endorsement is always that they need to be issued by a "suitably qualified instructor". Not necessarily a JAA instructor. So if it was a suitable AUS instructor who endorsed you for CSU/retract/tailwheel that instructor would also be suitable in the eyes of the UK CAA. And maybe it works the other way 'round too - simply get a UK instructor to endorse your aerobatics, and you should be OK in Australia too.
However, if any of the authorities would require a "rating" for those items, you're stuck. In your case you will probably need to find an Australian examiner over here who can do the rating exam, and then send some paperwork back and forth to Australia (not to mention money).
Nevertheless, to be absolutely sure, I'd call the UK CAA about this.