Hi MMPD,
Welcome to the forum.
I've moved your post to the Aussie section so you'll get more answers (it was in the USA section).
I can't help with schools since I don't have children and I'm not in Queensland.
Most of the big shops aren't online properly yet in Australia. Some of the websites point you to your local store or ask you to order a catalogue.
I found one website that does lots of catalogues online which might help
Retail Catalogues for your Back to School needs, Sales, Bargains | Catalogue Central.
I'm a landlord here and the tenant usually pays for the electricity and gas but sometimes the landlord pays part or all of the water bills.
Are you going the furnished or unfurnished? Even in our unfurnished places we still provide the basics such as fridge/freezer, cooker etc. Not sure if that is standard or something that we do. It may be worth calling some letting agents and asking.
Anything electrical that you bring will need different plugs put on them, and the phone system is completely different sockets too although you can get them to work with adapters.
Regards,
Karen