My FLGS store in Australia just sanctioned Season 3, so it's live for Australians.
"Season 3 of D&D Encounters is likely to be something pretty spectacular, not only because it will showcase the D&D Essentials Characters, but Players will be allowed to create their own Essentials Characters. Pre-generated Characters will still be included in DM kits to help new Players get quickly into the game, but it is also hoped that after a few weeks, new Players will consider making up Essentials Characters of their own. Season 3 is also going to be a long season – 20 weeks/encounters – and will showcase iconic monsters from the Essentials Monster Vault in this adventure. “Season of the Serpent” will run from September 22nd to February 11th, which was written by Chris Sims, and will be set at the Keep on the Borderlands along the Chaos Scar in the Nentir Vale." --
Neuroglyph Games, GenCon Report part 2
Cheers!