I am ex-motor industry and had to restart as an Apprentice Aircraft Mechanic and work up from there to L.A.M.E.
That was in South Africa, though, and I can't speak for the EASA or Oz systems beyond that they are pretty stringent in their requirements. It will probably differ a lot depending on whether you did it in UK under EASA or in Oz under Oz CAA, too.
Either way, I'd say go for it. I have found it to be a very rewarding career choice and have seen parts of the world I would never have seen.