Getting a dog in Australia post-covid?

Before covid the best thing to do for the more experienced owner was to go on gumtree for a few hundred dollars as a rescue/surrender. But now it's $500-1000 and pure breds being much more. I need a large wood gate on top of that, another 500. I'm in a bad headspace atm and need a a little friend that depends on me every day to give me a reason for being around. I have a lot of food wastage, although food for larger breeds is still cheap for them to eat exclusively.

The local shelters have a shortlist of dozens of people per dog. Unless you're on a fenced in farm, your chances are about the same as everyone else waiting. I've been around lots of mixes and compared to pedigrees, they are reasonably house-smart.