Lifestyle will come down to rostering.
Virgin has a bidding system which allows you to slant your roster toward your needs.
Its alternating 11/12 off every 28 days with 6 weeks annual leave.
330/777 as a new joiner as an SO (777) yes forget as an FO likewise VAA command.
Tiger as I understand it is 3 off 5 on system
I'm not sure how the rosters work at VARA. I think they get 10 off. The other thing I'm not sure on is how likely it is for one to be able to move out of the ATR with the 10% rule.
I know that SO's take about 4ish years to get to Virgin Mainline at the current rate.
I think the licence transfer is Medical, Air Law and a check ride unlike going to Europe which would involve day 1 lift and drag all the way through to the Mars mission.
Brisbane is significantly cheaper and easier to get around than Sydney but you might find it uncomfortable in Summer (sub tropical climate)
Your timing couldn't be better all companies are recruiting heavily as QF are recruiting and some are taking the plunge into the contract world over in Asia.