If you are working, you are a Commercial pilot whether it's a private outfit or not, you are governed by the flight and duty times CAO 48.1.
Does not matter if they have an AOC or not. What you have is a Commercial pilot licence and a future.(you do have a cpl?)
There's alot of trickery with these "so" called operators...
You can PM me or just ring CASA and speak to a FOI who can point you in the right direction.
Take care mate and fly safe
Move on