Failed transmissions don't seem to be a common problem, but it can happen. Sorry to hear that it happened on yours. As was referenced, an alternative to putting in a new one is to have yours rebuilt or put in a used one. Not sure what the shipping costs to AU would be, but here's one on eBay -
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-...spagenameZWDVW
(note, that seller's feedback isn't perfect and the details don't indicate if that's from a 3.0i or a 4.4i - so do your homework)
