Why would you want to fly for United, yet still live in Australia? Why not target Virgin Blue, Tiger, Jet Star, Qantas and not face such a commute? If you're interested in working as an expat then there are plenty of expat gigs around - Emirates, Etihad, Cathay, any number of Asian contracts - all a lot closer to Australia.

FYI there are plenty of us Americans trying to get on to our legacy carriers. Before that gets taken the wrong way - I'm married to an Australian!