Hi Kevinnicolas,
it's really difficult without a job. We had a hard time getting a flat when we arrived, the second flat hunt was much easier (we are moving again in two days). Some recommendations:
1.) Transfer enough money into your Australian bank account, submit a bank statement and offer to pay rent for three months in advance when you apply for a flat. They never take you up on it because legally they cannot ask for more than a month of rent (except if you offer more). Basically, they need to know if you can afford to pay the rent, so financial resources are important. For additional money/property - that you want to leave overseas for now - I'd recommend to get letters from your bank or notary that list your assets and how quickly you could access them.
2.) You'll need references who vouch that you pay your rent on time and take good care of the property. This was the main hurdle for us - we had the money but only knew a handful of people in Australia. Overseas contacts are almost worthless - few real estate agent bother to call overseas. Both you and your partner need at least one business and 1-3 personal references that are in Australia. So it would be a good idea to call friends/family/friends-of-your-second-cousin's-ex-wife etc. and ask if you can list them as references. You'll need their phone contacts and names. It is common practice in Australia, so nobody will blink an eye if you ask them even if they are not close associates. Our AirBnB hostess served as one of our references, my partner listed his future employer and one future work colleague - he was lucky to find a job within the first month - and I asked an Australian professor that I knew from a conference. It worked but we could have organized it a bit better by contacting friends of my parents or old school pals in advance.
Good luck,
Monika
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