Hi KateAUS
I live in Australia and have some recent experience with the SSI office located in this country.
Historically, SSI certifications were created onsite at the dive store and included in the cost of the relevant course while SSI recognition certifications were paid by the diver or provided free by the dive store. Recently, the system has changed to one where digital certifications are provided free (i.e. viewable online or via a phone) and hardcopy certification cards are supplied after paying the required fee to either the store or to SSI.
Also, it is relevant to mention that after the end of 2008 (or from the start of 2009), all SSI certification details have been available online and can be assessed by an online account known as MySSI. If you certified prior to 2009, you need to create an account etc. All of this is discussed in some detail in an SSI document entitled "SSI Replacement Card Process" which can be downloaded from the following link -
https://static.shoplightspeed.com/s...5/ssi-replacement-card-form-manual-013017.pdf
Therefore, because your certifications are pre-2009, I would suspect that you have been asked to pay a fee to create a new record in the SSI database. The content of your first post suggests that SSI accepts that you have the all of the pre-requisite certifications and experience for Advanced Open Water Diver.
My personal experience follows. Recently, I received a Advanced Open Water Diver digital certificate from SSI after completing two specialities online during 2020 and paying for the certifications for the two specialities that I did in 2001 to be recreated as digital certifications. I was initially unhappy about the fee. However, the exchange of emails revealed that hardcopy records existed and were checked against the information that I provided. After payment, I also received access to the current digital e-learning materials for the two specialities.
With respect to the performance of the SSI office in Australia, I have made several online inquiries and received responses. My most recent inquiry has not been replied to and I suspect that the SSI staff may be busy with something else, i.e. instructor courses.