You missed 'sense of humour'. Some candidates are shown the door, if they fail to interpret the jokes and ironies of the boss/interviewer.

He means they don't care if you've used system X for 25 years and helped write it.

If you don't have a certificate to say you are qualified, they are not interested.

I never had any problems with that obviously I was asked if I was microsoft certified and I ususlly batted that one back by saying I was too busy doing the job to sit around reading about it and sit an exam. I got all the jobs I ever interviewed for. As long as you answer the technical questions there isnt a problem.

Agreed (I have no other certs since my degree).

But i have seen people want that piece of paper.

Soft skills MP, soft skills.
Like I said, sorely lacking in many tecchies ;-)

I wouldn't say a sense of humour was missing in a lot of techies, I'd say a whole personality was.

I've worked with people where their desk was more interesting than they were.

I would have thought a US lamp made to run at 110v wouldn't work at 240v even if you changed the plug and bulb. Aussie standard bulbs are either bayonet or screw type (small and large available) so as long as the lamp thad these bulbs shouldn't be a problem.

The exchange rate between two currencies is of NO relevance when comparing salaries in the same(ish) job in those two countries. More relevant is the cost of living and what the $ you earn will buy you where you live.

Also be prepared for the old "local Experience" or "Australian Experience" requirement.

You thought wrong. Change the plug (or use adapters) and the bulb and you're good to go. It's just a couple of copper wires going to a bulb housing and this housing is standard, so the 240v bulbs in Oz fit perfectly.