Dugie - sounds as though you are hammering through the flying, doing it 3-4 times per week although dont envy you sweating it out in that Adelaide heat in a C152 or PA28!!
You idea of getting a CPL here first then heading over sounds like a good idea although do you reckon there's more chance of you getting a job here rather than over there?
Albury nav was great although pretty long (3.9 all up!). It was CPL pre licence flight so had all the tricks of forced landings, diversions, instrument flying, NDB/VOR stuff, low level, CTA work and heaps of general questions about things. Feeling pretty good for the flight test next now though!
JT77