Luckily, according to our vet, ticks aren't a problem here so I don't have any advice.
However, to add onto the interest in paralysis ticks, they do exist here. They are very dangerous and do cause paralysis. No personal experience with them but have heard of them through Bondi Vet. If I recall correctly, they are found on the eastern coast of Australia near the coastal areas. They release a toxin which travels through the bloodstream, gradually paralysing muscles including the heart and chest muscles. If left untreated, the animal usually dies because the heart cannot pump blood and/or they cannot breathe and die of asphyxiation.
To add to Snowco Labradors/Patty (can I call you that?), here's a link I found and some tick prevention advice (from same link):
Source: paralysis ticks Double Bay Vet BlogEffective Tick Control
In Sydney we are usually happy to recommend a suitable top spot applied every 2 weeks and regular tick checks, but given the current crisis we are increasing our recommendation as follows:
1. Apply Advantix or Frontline every 2 WEEKS to your dog from now until April.
2. Use a Preventic tick collar and replace it every 2 months. If you are going to Northern or Southern Coastal areas then in addition to the above recommendations:
3. Give a dose of Proban every other day.
4. Perform a daily tick check up and remove any ticks you find with tick twister.
5. Consider shaving your dog’s coat short – this helps keep them cool and makes effective tick checking possible.No single therapy is entirely effective but by using combinations, keeping your dog’s coat short and doing daily tick checks you will be keeping your dog out of harms way.
Indeed there is no harm in doing all five things together. With vigilance and use of the appropriate medicines then no pets should die from tick paralysis.
Here's an episode of Bondi Vet with a paralysis tick case to see how serious it is for those interested: Bondi Vet Series 4 Episode 4 - YouTube It's the first case if I recall correctly so no need to skip too much.