Livin,
Wish I had the inside track on this issue but I'm just an interested observer watching from the sidelines without the knowledge and contacts that Havick, 02041402 and VH DSJ have.
I talked to someone last night who mentioned he's heard several instances lately of an unmistakable Aussie accent on the radio from a regional callsign here in US airspace.
And if VH DSJ's statement, "And you don't need an FAA license when applying either. When you do the checkride for the type rating (which the airline pays for), that checkride can be used to convert your Australian license to the FAA." is true, the process just got markedly easier.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Last edited by bafanguy; 23rd Oct 2016 at 13:14.