Sorry so long in getting back.
Here's the License deal.
All of what you see below, I've either done or been told by a senior RPAS guy at CASA.
A CC (Controller's Certificate) allows you to fly under someone else. (A bit like flying as a commercial pilot for an airline.) To go commercial solo, you need to get an OC (Operator's Certificate). And to employ anyone under an OC, your policies, manuals, maintenance procedures etc must incorporate each employee.
The CC cost is two-part. The first is getting the theory training and "Type" certificate from an authorized agency. The theory costs around $3500 depending where you go. As I have my Pilot's License, I didn't need to pay for the theory. The Type certificate cost me $250. One outfit quoted me about $1200 for it, which is a rip-off. They justified it by saying you get what you pay for and they ensure professional care. Even if I was going for Type on an S1000+ it wouldn't be worth $1200. The second cost of the CC is CASA. You send them a copy of your theory (or pilot license) and your Type certificate and $160, then wait about 3 or 4 weeks.
The OC is the more expensive part. CASA will turn the meter on when they start looking at your application. If your paperwork isn't complete and correct, it will cost you more. One of their senior RPAS guys told me this and said it will cost between $2500 and $3500. But once you have an OC you can do commercial work on your own. At the moment, there is about a 6 month wait for getting an OC.
It's possible that by June, sub-2kg won't need to go through the OC process, and applicants may just get issued with an OC without the cost. The guy at CASA said they want to get that rule in by June, but it's not certain.
The next cost is insurance. I got a quote a while back, quoting $725 for $5mil cover. That cover doesn't include the drone. The insurer said they won't cover a drone unless it's valued over $20k. I've heard tales of being able to cover it on your home insurance or even your car insurance - not sure how that works or even if it's true.
The guy at CASA said that it's possible for an Operator to use a contract Controller, but the paperwork would be difficult, and in his experience he did not know of any Operator using contract pilots. He said, that doesn't mean some aren't doing so, just that he doesn't know of any. He also said an insurer for an Operator might not be willing to cover a contractor arrangement. In other words, if you're a CC looking for contract work, beware - you may not be covered.