So it only asks for the funds and the address? And it should be depending on the sum in question, probably..

Those merchants who are good won't wait for that long, because lots can happen between the frames in question, and we all want to get the deal done as soon as possible.

If the funds in question aren't that big - then one may be willing to give the institutions the info they need , but you never know when they would become more interested in your persona.

No, it's not about whether they're good or not that makes them choose a longer timeframe. I want to believe they must have their reasons beyond that. That's not even how to sieve the scammers from the list. Merchants who are fraudulent are even the ones who will choose short timeframe. I've had near nasty experiences with merchants who tried to swindle me and they all were within the frames I like dealing with. Now I know how to sniff out P2P scammers from afar.

BTM operators have to comply with regulations, just as crypto exchanges and other CASP's have to do too, if they fail to do so, the government will shut them down and the operators may be arrested and charged for money laundering or financing terrorism. However, there are different kinds of kyc verifications on BTM's, some are basic, and some are more serious, depending on the funds involved.

The high fees have nothing to do with complying with regulations, they probably charge high fees due to maintenance costs and other expense required to keep the BTM functioning.

You need to be aware that even Bitcoin transactions that appears anonymous are at some point very much traceable? buying Bitcoin with many link that gets you to transferring money or using your card can be tracible, so the only way you can really acquire Bitcoin without what looks like a tracible links is by been gifted or even by bounties and rewards from signature campaigns from the forum. I don't know about your country but I know in some other countries there are Bitcoin atm where you can purchase Bitcoin but then that is also tracible because you will be using your bank cards from which you can still be traced so if you want to invest in Bitcoin i advised you bother more on making profits on your investment and then making sure you get the most from Bitcoin and not delaying because you wan to stay anonymous owning Bitcoin.

I will suggest you to follow @asriloni suggestion and find people who lived in Australia and have Bitcoin so you can buy Bitcoin from them. That is the easy way for you to avoid the tracking because you pay the money directly to him. I don't recommend you use Bitcoin ATM. There will be a local seller who buy and sell Bitcoin directly especially if you can know them privately.

The best way for you to turn your cash into a Bitcoin, since you said that you can not afford the Bitcoin ATM, is to use the Exchange will be easier to get your bitcoins without facing any problems, and you can even get them at an affordable price range compared to using the Bitcoin ATM method. That method won’t work for you the way you want it to be done.

Moreover, I can see that those that are experts in cryptocurrency have recommended you an easier solution to solve the issue of how you can turn your cash into Bitcoin without stressing yourself. I think the idea of exchanging your cash by applying physical P2P with the person you know in the cryptocurrency can work fast for you.

Have you tried using Bisq? I don't know what the regulations is in Australia about this. Read it up first then try it. An alternative that involves some risk is a p2p with friends.

Do you have trusted friends that you know will not try to kidnap you if they learn of you wanting to do this, then request buy directly from them with cash while they send the equivalent to your Bitcoin wallet.