Staying after working holiday?

[MrGW]

Hi,

My girlfriend is Australian and has been in the UK with me for the past 6 months on a fiance visa. However, we've decided for various reasons that we're not actually ready for marriage yet but still want to be together. She is going back to Australia this weekend as her visa expires next weekend. In a few months time I'm going to go out there and we shall meet up in Melbourne and start living together there. Initially I have a working holiday visa that entitles me to stay for a year.

Once the year's up what options do I have for staying? I assume I'll have to come back to the UK to apply for another visa. Is it possible that somebody I work for during the year may want to keep me on and sponsor me or will we have to look at getting a fiance visa or something?

Also, will the fact that we had a fiance visa for the UK but didn't actually get married have any bearing on future applications?

Any help appreciated, cheers,

GW.