I'll second the recommendation that you check out Camden as well as Bankstown before making a decision on where to fly.
I think your hours should count. Your exam credits won't but the knowledge you've already gained would surely be useful.
Obviously there are differences in the way Britain and Australia tackle the whole business of aviation. The flying environments are completely different - something I didn't quite realise until I'd read lots of weird (to me) threads on this website.
Hope you enjoy the wide open skies of the great southern land.