As a Qantas ff newbie with no status the chances of an upgrade are nil to zero with QF. With 2 pax even less. Upgrades on QF are referred to the lottery.
USA to AU is popular routes for awards and upgrades. More demand than availability.
Need to be a QF ff member for a points upgrade. A QF ff member can use his/her points to upgrade eligible family members (who do not need to be a QF ff)
QF international upgrades are by points
or upgrade bid.
QF web site --https://www.qantas.com/au/en/manage-booking/upgrade.html
FT thread--
Bid Now Upgrade Success Stories
In Oneworld the status on one airline is recognised on other airlines. The status benefits are linked to the ffn in your reservation. It is not
matched.
If they want to fly in PE or Business
pay cash or awards in the class they want to travel. Forget about upgrades on QF
Airlines are QF, AA, UA, DL, HA and FJ. Or Air NZ via AKL.
Just looking for LAX-SYD limits options. Look at other USA & AU airports (BNE MEL)
Many threads on QF upgrades including