Stussy,
the easiest conversion is to NZ-- produce the relevant documents showing you hold a Aus CPL (H), valid medical and ID, then fill in a form hand over approx $50............done.
Most other conversions FAA, Canadian etc.........will require you complete a number of flight hrs + check ride(coversion test) and at least a law exam.
You're right in that the JAR seems to require the most effort, $ and time. Maybe they don't want foreign pilots flying there????
Nah.....couldn't be that