Pilot or instructor IS on consolidated skilled o. list, CSOL.
I read about certain operator hiring direct entry PICs for Dash 8, using 457 visa which is,long stay job sponsored visa. Other than that, not much. While possible, it may not be wise relying on finding aviation employer for migrating over.
BTW CSOL is for regional or state migration 'stream', not general/independent. If you have partner/spouse, it may be feasible to be secondary applicant, under the other person's visa.
ATPL conversion does not require sitting all exams. It' mainly air law, IREX/ifr, human factors. The so-called MECIR, twin ifr here, is doable mostly in sim, even testing, if advanced enough sim. It's all in the regs.
If one needs 'skills assessment' for certain visa subclass, then instructor is 2yr+ and 'pilot' 5yrs, which is administered by CASA, unlike the FI stuff.
Again, do own research and do not trust all well meant but possibly incorrect info. Without other skills/experience, it won't be simple. Unless marrying Aussie and then still costly fees.
Never been so cheap to spend USD in Oz. Works against me saving AUD now to burn in US. Eventually again.