Not really, NN... many Aussies o/s don't come back because they refuse to be treated like dickheads & disrespected by the HR Departments, who have ruined the industry.
It's a Pilot's Market around the globe right now (for those with legit logbooks/Quals & unfraudelent experience)!
Exactly and Australia is a desirable place to live. 457 Visas open the Australian market to the world not just Australian Citizens and permanent residents. How good does living in Australia look to someone working in Africa right now? Or South America?
Here is the problem, Australia will always be a desirable place to live and raise children to anyone from a third world country. All of whom have airlines who are probably getting paid less than anyone in Australia.
Additional to that is the South African government's policy of positive discrimination which makes it hard for educated white folk to be pilots so they start looking abroad.
So if we actually get to a real labour shortage the floodgates will be opened to the world and the problem will go away overnight.