As found with redbacks the markings on white tails varies. But from my experience the abdomen is dark and elongated. There is a white tip on the end of the abdomen or a white stripe or blotchy stripe down the middle of the abdomen towards the end of abdomen.

The result of a bite from a white tail can be nasty.

The characteristics of the white tailed spider include:

• having a cylindrical body
• being from 1 cm to 2 cm in length
• being dirty grey to brown colour
• having glossy legs
• a characteristic light coloured grey or white spot at the ‘tail’
• that two similar spots near the front of the body may also be present.

The white tailed spider is found in homes throughout Australia. It tends to be more active during summer. Favourite hiding spots include:

• bedding
• towels or clothes left on the floor
• nooks and crannies
• beneath mulch, leaves and rocks
• beneath tree bark.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/White_tailed_spider

Yes I am south of you. In the south west of WA, Bunbury.

My sis-in-law is a regstd nurse......she had a bite a few years back on her foot. After 3 days she went to Dr and was given an injection to relieve the effects of suspected Necrotising arachnidism is a type of skin inflammation and ulceration that is caused by the bite of some spiders.

Took many months for the 'tingling' and itching to subside.

We have found quite a few white tails inside the house lately and they are quite large. The boys have been told to not drop there clothes on the floor anymore.

Not so many redbacks lately here.

In the US, we enjoy the redback's close cousin, the Black Widow.  Here in Oregon they are prevalent.............it is the Brown Recluse that most worry about though............its bite causes the blood to clot at the wound, resulting in necrosis of the flesh.  Google "brown recluse bites pictures".........

Had heaps of red backs in QLD, as much as i hate killing any thing we used to put a insect bomb thought the house once a year, mainly before the grand children came over for Christmas.

The biggest Red Back I ever saw was in Southport in a web under some leaves, she must have been the mother of all red backs.

The only Spider I ever got bitten by in QLD was one of those little hoppy spiders, gave me a bad itchy rash, bit me three times, was in the waist band of my skirt.