Hi Andrew
I cant help with the visa question I'm afraid but we are in a similar situation to you as far as the lack of assets and money are concerned.
We are a family of 5 and plan on going to the Brisbane area with not much more money than you!
I believe we need to take a reference from our landlord and some sort of proof that we have been paying the rent on time. It may even be a case of paying 6 months rent in advance as we did here (because we had been out of the country for 12 months)
My opinion on it is, what the hell! lets just get out there and play it by ear. lol

Good luck with it all

Julie