Ironically, it's the US that most folks look to for cheap(er) flight training and experience.
There's no point in doing a professional licence in another country unless it's an easy conversion (not likely) or you have the right to live and work there.
Whilst there are a few shonky operators in the US, there are also a lot of decent operators.
The "starting years" pay pretty much the same in Australia, but you'll start on even crappier aircraft and take longer to move through the system.
This is assuming you can get the right to live and work.
As you're in the US, don't limit your options to "airlines".