Hi Alison,
I was on multiple E3 visas for 4 years, so I understand the pain. The good news is that an E3 visa is 10% the cost of an H1B, and can be done fairly easily and quickly assuming the guy you are bringing over meets the requirements, and you have a company established.
For an E3, you basically need:
- a person with a degree
- a job that requires that degree
- a company that has the job open, and is willing to employ that person under fair conditions (pay, safe environment, etc)
By the end of it, the total cost (spread across 2 countries) should be about $2500 (at least it was in 2008).
As David said, if you don't yet have a company, he can easily be here on a Visa Wavier for up to 3 months while things are set up.
I am happy to put you in contact with Amy, an Immigration Lawyer who helped me, my wife and a few other Aussies get over here. Just send me a message.
Best of luck,
Peter Sankauskas