| Hi, we live in Sydney. My son is 7 years old (diagnosed April 05, pump Sept 06), so its pretty fresh. Pump consumables are bought through Diabetes Australia, there is one in Queensland. We had to have a letter from our Endo saying that the pump is required - so that you can register with Diabetes Australia. All diabetics register with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), because then you get needles free. Then you can purchase up to 2x boxes of sets and cartridges, ie 2 months worth. They will send to your home, free of charge, but you will pay for the consumables.As my son is 7 and has to be fully cared for, as your 5 yr old is, we have a health card and I receive a carers allowance (through Centrelink). With this card and DA registration we pay $12.50 for a box of sets and $8.33 per box of cartridges, but this will depend on which brands you use.
Insulin is $4.60 for 5 boxes, 5 vials in each, because of the health card. Normal scripts are $29.80. Kids here receive the health card until 15, but the DA discounts are for as long as you stay as a current member.
Pumps are not free here. There is an expectation that people have private health insurance and DA has fought for the health companies to pay full price for the pumps and as far as I know all are doing this. I don't know about waiting periods. The health funds will pay for a new pump every 4 years. For this reason, we are being encourage to insure the pumps for damage, etc and that is done through the house insurance, usually as a tack on to your policy. I have just received a quote from my insurer (with loyalty bonus) for $168 - for the Animas which is $7750. here. As you can see, it isn't free here, but it is cheaper than what it was a few years ago.
Lots of kids are getting the pump here. I don't know what you would do without health insurance, but I would talk to the educator at the Childrens hospital you will go to, or your endo. The diabetes care in Australia is great, especially in the Children's Hospital. If in doubt, the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney may be able to help you contact the right people in Queensland.
Schools are required to supervise children do needles, but they are not allowed to give needles. I have it so that my son does his own BGL, I mark his food with the carbohydrates and he goes to the office at recess and lunch to do BGL and then he keys this and carbs into pump and then enters the insulin required and he presses the buttons, whilst being supervised. We have had some interesting hypo experiences with overenthusastic office ladies.
Hope this has helped. If I can help anymore let me know.  | 
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