Unless you're very smart or spent a few years in Australia prior to entering university, I strong discourage people taking up any work during their first year. Listening to the experiences of my friends, do not expect your 20hr/week job (the maximum on your student visa) to cover more than 30% of your living costs. And think of the fact that you need to have time to study.

That said, the pay here is quite reasonable, even at the starting wage. A 6 hour shift pays for the monthly broadband charge in my mates place.

For E&E engineering in Australia, I guess the most popular uni I have heard during my time of study for this course would be Melbourne Uni and Sydney's University of Technology. The other unis are OK, but these 2 are more reputable I guess. I could be wrong though, better consult IDP and see.

If your 1119 for SPM is 3(b) and above, I think you don't have to take IELTS. I took IELTS last time because my college told me that it's a pre-requisite. But when I arrived in Aus, I was told that I don't need to take IELTS because my SPM's 1119 results was 3(b).