As you know the JR MAX66 is a 6 channel transmitter. You can get cheap 4 channels for under $299. I have recently shopped around for a 6 channel transmitter and I live in Australia like you. A 6 channel is really the only way to go so later you can have the other two channels for retracts and flaps.

I found the 6 channels to look at were

Futaba 6EXA - 6 Channel ($269)
Hitec Optic 6 - 6 Channel ($299)
JR MAX66 - 6 Channel ($299)

If you want to spend more then

JR 2610 - 6 Channel ($449)
Hitec Eclipse 7 - 7 Channel ($390)


I would stay away from the Hitec Optic 6 as it has some firmware bugs in the software. The Futaba 6EXA is nice however the 6EXA-Super has just come out and is soon to arrive in Australia in the next couple of months, so don't buy the 6EXA now as it’s already superseded. The JR MAX66 would have to be my pick and is great value for money.

If you need any help with where I got the prices from just pm me and I'll send you the websites of the places in Oz that sell them.