@iangrace, considering you have a friend already there and you have a library of reference thru this website, I am sure you can lodge your 175 visa on your own.
Yung panggastos mo sa agent, itabi mo na lang para may pera ka pagpunta mo Australia (first month's rent, food, transpo etc)
Malaking pera ang kailangan bayaran pag magllodge ka na, (Php150,000 I think)..one time fee yun at hindi guaranteed pasado ka na sa visa kaya siguraduhin mong kumpleto na lahat ng supporting documents mo bago ka magsubmit ๐
Marami option para makapasok ng Australia: General Skilled 175, Temporary Residence, State Sponsored...or Employer Sponsored (which is ideal in any situation), basa basa ka muna ng pinaka babagay sayo ๐