AEA is probably the best kept secret in the ADF.
Great pay (better than pilots for the first seven years), relatively easy job and plenty of deployment opportunities.
There have been a number of AEAs transfer to pilot and done so quite successfully. Age may become a factor down the road, but it is better to get in and start a career rather than wait for one that doesn't materialize.
AEAs join as a SGT. Commissioning requires jumping through all the same hoops you would have to coming off the street. Only difference is you will have proven yourself in the military and aircrew environment.