Yep I can confirm this too, was just looking over the last weeks for flights and there's nothing available. Also for many other routes.
What I found at least somewhat helpful is to call Qantas (if trying to book through Qantas) and see if they can find anything. The website did barely show anything available but with an agent on the phone when looking around for half an hour we did then find something that worked out. I'll have to fly on a paid ticket for 1 segment but then got points flights to DXB and onwards. Maybe EMirates also has phone assistance?

BNE has much better award availability than SYD or MEL. Good J/F availability late Jan/early Feb 24 DXB - BNE

Booked STN - DXB - BNE in F for 25/2/24. Was on QFF but assuming same availability on Skywards?

Seems pretty good availability to me, especially as STN is on the "new" 777 F with only 6 seats.

If anyone else dislikes the Emirates website for finding awards, I recently added Emirates support to Seats.aero. Does not show surcharges yet but should be reasonably better than their website.