I am an American working and living abroad. I am very interested in your comment about being self-employed in Australia. Can write up about how to start a business there and the pros/cons?
Keep in mind that thanks to my Aussie wife I have permanent residency.
In terms of "starting a business" I just had to register for an ABN ("Australian Business Number"). That may not even be a legal requirement but IIRC it had tax advantages. It's a couple years since I did it but as I recall I did it all online in a couple of hours and it didn't cost much. I then just include that number on my invoice. Very civilized.
At some point I need to register to charge GST but I'm sure I can do that online too. At no point have I had to visit a government office or get a bureaucrat to sign anything to start a business in Australia.
The criteria for having to register to collect GST for the government is something along the lines of "your business turnover exceeds $50,000 per financial year". I haven't been there, but I believe it's about as simple as you say; get an "auskey", and then you can do large amounts of the paperwork online.
Keep in mind that thanks to my Aussie wife I have permanent residency.
Even if you have a non Australian wife the process of being resident in Australia is pretty straightforward. I have a friend who is Argentinian and emigrated to Australia after finishing the university.
I would love to read something like that.