True, anything suspected of being over $1000 is pushed off to another division called "recovery"
They determine what the true value is and you pay GST on the recommended retail price of the item (in AUD).
Ie. Buy a item that RRP in Aus is $1999 for only $1000 over seas.
Then you pay GST on the $1999 RRP as this is their only true accurate measure, not what you actually paid for it (which can not be proven).
Australian company's put pressure on customs last year, then the whole Gerry Harvey bit on the news about internet retail put new focus on the laws. Obviously they is an exemption for items under $1000, but in other countrys that figures is much lower, id expect Aus to follow suit in the next few years.
We will end up paying tax on everything sent from OS...