I've flown LAX-MEL on A380 with similar experience to yours, except the aircraft was only a month or 2 old so no wear and tear yet -- but things like the leather toilet seat cover did seem to be a dubious choice.

QF has gone with QCCA staffing for A380 for all cabins, and this does make for problematic F service until the staff get some experience and training; few QF staff have taken transfers to QCCA for obvious reasons (having pay cut in half isn't the most attractive of offers, even with a promotion).

Transpacific is a longer sector which helps with the weaker points and makes the A380 more pleasant. Also the J pax were better behaved on my flights and didn't venture down into the F cabin; I suppose that can be expected for ex-UK flights.