The exchange rate is around 73 cents US to our Australian dollar (i.e. one US$ is worth A$1.37). In terms of the UK pound, it's around 40 pence to the dollar (i.e. one pound is worth A$2.50).

We do have access to Amazon and HMV and all manner of internet companies, but find that the postage (especially from UK) is a killer - up to 5 pounds (A$12.50) for one CD! I buy off a few Australian websites - Chaos and Shock - they are the actual producers/distributors of independent music over here. Otherwise, there's a shop in Perth called 78 Records which will get you in almost anything from around the world (as long as you're patient...and I'm not very...).