1) What do you mean by "new"? Latest firmware? Latest models being released to the market? How do I know if a phone (without turning it on) is a new stock S500i or not?

2) You mean Australia or Austria? I don't think it does really matter for you... You speak what there, English? French? (I suppose one of them). If it's english, you could use any EUROPE one, if it's french, you could use any EUROPE one besides the 5.

3) Ok, report back please when you know something...