Listen mate stay where you are as currently the whole world is in recession.
Since market item prices are up and the job market is not to good either unless you're Educated in Science, I.T, Engineering, Accounting, nursing.
If you're not skilled in those don't bother coming here to Oz.

Wait till the American's economy improve then maybe business here would improve. Since Australian economy and stock market are closely tied to the American market.

For something comfortable and decent you have at least 600 thousand / million dollars to buy property here in Australia for a decent place to live. Only cheap property would be available in very quiet suburbs that are usually an hours drive or more from any major cities in Australia.

To check about property pricing in Australia I suggest you go to www.domain.com.au. It give you a rough idea about Australia's property pricing.

You could rent a unit if you want to but to survive here in Sydney let alone Melbourne as well as any major Australian cites you need to earn an income of at least 2k and over.

If you fell that your salary range is not beyond 2k you will find your life will be very strained and may wanna share the unit with others. However you have to very careful of whom you share with or you'll have to put up with those who're not house trained that will very annoying.