I have been going for over a year now. I find it a great help. I am an endocrine nightmare and I am in constant pain from frozen shoulders and a bad back.
There is a site to look for a specialist that is also a doctor - for instance mine is an hemotologist/oncologist as well as acupuncuture doctor.
http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/
http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/findadoc/index.html
which all will not work for you in Australia - but I would search for someone who has qualifications. In searching adding Australia, I cannot find a similar organization.

I feel the needles most on my hands when they are being put in, but once they are in, all is fine.

The horror stories are from those that are not experienced, or are plain stupid. One lady told me the person put the needles in through her clothes! How could he see what he was doing! Where he was hitting! How unsanitary and dulling of needles! And they never re-use needles. It may take a few questions to get to the right person, but when you find the right one, it is very rewarding.