their skills are LESS than adequate when comparing to the Aus schools
yep, OK,
You have been told by somebody who didn't have a clue, in general PPL flying skills ( straight stick and rudder stuff -- the things that keep you alive) are of a higher order than in Australia.
The reason are easy to see, just have a look at what must be demonstrated in the US PPL flight test, compared to Australia --- the skill level ( easily learned with a decent instructor) is as different as chalk and cheese.
All this is part of the reason why the US air safety record is so much better than Australia --- because the US system concentrates on the cause of actual accidents.
I carry license from five countries, the US being one, once you fly and train with US trained pilots, the reason for the outstanding safety record in the US becomes obvious.
When I talk to people here, the ones that are so critical of the US usually have nil experience in the US or of US pilots, and the prejudice show --- and almost always manifests itself as criticism of "radio work" --- because the rest of the world uses radios to communicate, as opposed to the anal retentive devotion here to "radio procedures".
If achieving an Australian CPL at the minimum cost is the object, to become a CPL of very limited skill, knowledge and potential, go for the 150h course here.
If you want to be a real pilot, with some knowledge of the big wide world, as opposed to the narrow parochial and inward looking Australian approach to aviation, a start in the US would be a great way to go.
Tootle pip!!