Hello Ted,
I think times have changed particularly over last decade as we have had a prolonged building boom in most capital cities. Various governments have had to encourage overseas qualified immigration to keep up with demand (we're a big country but still small in population). Various programs have focused on the medical profession, construction industry and various other sectors where there is a recognised skill shortage.
I recall the MGT design for Parliament House as I was going through Uni at the time and it was in the architectural mags. Given that project was a competition for the Federal Government using tax payer dollars there is usually a requirement across all States and Territories over here for local governments and councils to include clauses such 'must includes X% local content, preference for Australian-made products, use of indigenous employees etc.'. I'm sure you'd have similar requirements over there to look after your own back yard?
In your situation, if you were emigrating to live here, you could apply to have your US NCARB reassessed by the AACA board here. In one of my previous design firms which was a multi-national, we had an overseas architect relocate to live here where he had his qualifications reassessed.
Pei-Cobb Freed have just completed a 20-something storey office tower in Darwin last year and to my knowledge did this under their US registration working in association with an Australian firm.
My reading of the article is it's a step closer to making it easier to work between recognised countries....I think the hardest thing would be getting my head around feet and inches~!