You got it right the first time. Lavender Purples are popular among entry-level. They are medium-bump, medium-intensity. If you don't like them, at least you'll know where to go from there.
The budget tactile scene is getting real good.
On the low, low end, you can find OUTEMU Orange wholesale on AliExpress. Like 14 USD shipped for 70. They are just slightly-heavier Browns, I think. If you lube the springs, they can allegedly become decent. There's a review in the Reviews section.
Slightly more expensive, but still cheap, are AKKO POM Browns. These are MX Browns, but made of smoother material. So they lack many of MX Browns' problems. You can buy them 45 at a time, if you aren't sure about committing to them.
KTT Mallo is available somewhere for $2.40/10. They are the most linear tactiles, a smoother softer MX Brown. They need spring lube and some lube around the leaf-area to avoid annoying sounds. But otherwise feel okay from factory.*
JWICK T1s are the budget king. They are a medium-heavy tactile, kind of a giant top-mounted MX Brown. During sales [probably upcoming 12.12 on AliExpress] you can get them 25 USD shipped for 90. Unbeatable at that price. Definitely worth trying.
Chosfox&Jwick Voyager is an affordable Holy Boba switch. Nice big rounded D-shaped bump, sort of. No way you can make these cheaper yourself.
Feker Pandas come in various colours, they are cheap Holy Pandas. Good enough, if you lube them.
SP Star Meteor Orange is a mid-priced light-tactile, they get a bit cheaper during sales. Try a sample pack along with SP Star (Polaris?) Purple, if you can. During sales.
Most of this stuff is available from AliExpress. Shipping cost to Australia will vary from my own experience. Only the KTT Mallo will be out-of-reach for you.
Ajazz Diced fruit switches are fun and cheap. Try Huano Banana. Or the Kiwi one.
If you can find them, AULA/LEOBOG Browns and "Matcha Axis" can be very cheap and decent.
Durock Light Tactile and Medium Tactile will be more affordable during sales. Try out a pack. If you are really lucky, you can come across the "Cotton Candy" variant [not labelled as such] for an affordable price. They are nylon housings, which is good.
OUTEMU and SP Star tactiles can be found in "tester" units or packs of 4, which makes trying them cheap and easy. The same is true for TTC and Kailh switches and some other brands, so you may want to try those as well.
