Hello Dominic @auzStar and other users of the australian shipping modules,
I found the fixes.
Tere were 2 different problems:
1. I missed to fill in the correct settings in admin=> configure=> Shipping/Packaging
The shipping modules need Australia as country of origin and a valid Australia Post Code.
This change made the module correct working under PHP5.5 and 5.6, but under PHP7 the error was still showing up.
2. Under PHP7 the variables assign needed an update:
$$bits[0] = $bits[1];
needs to be changed to:
${$bits[0]} = $bits[1];
Now all works ok
Better a generic error message than a specific error message pointing in the wrong direction
I added some other updates for 2.3.4.1 BS and PHP7 and will upload the updated modules soon.
Hope this helps other aust post users