I realise this is over a month old, but I'm in the same position as the OP, and looking for a solution to the receiving SMS quandary. Skype would seem to be ideal, but everything I've seen on the Microsoft site, and various forums, says that you can only receive SMS's on a US number. Can you confirm that you are able to receive SMS's sent from Australia on your Australian Skype number?
Otherwise, I'll be getting an Aldi sim on my next visit later this year.