Melbourne is Tiger's base so the Captain must have flown this star prior to the incident flight so you would assume he would have some knowledge of the Altitude limits on the STAR and the ILS approach and what Altitudes ATC assign when flying it. EPP is 8.8 miles so to be at 2000' (1500' AGL) would make you lower than profile.
Not only does the STAR say 2500' the 27 ILS chart also has a note (2) saying 2500' on the Arbey and Wendy STARS. So there are 2 charts with 2500', basic profile would have you at or above 2500, ATC clearance to 2500' yet they went to 2000' because that's what the box said.