Mike,
You need a good, basic, compund microscope with the ability to attach a ccd camera.
After reseaching microscopes for hobby use for some time, I can recommend:
http://www.aunet.com.au/ - The "Children's microscope" would be suitable and AUnet can supply prepared slides also. They are very helpful and supply schools with instruments also.
Like telescopes, most microscopes are out of China, and rebadged accordingly. And like telescopes, you pay for what you get - most of the time.
IMO, forget Bintel and York. They should stick to what they know - telescopes.
If/when the time comes and you want to get serious - for the home hobbyist - "Wedmore" brand distributed by
Brunel or
UKGE of the UK is the way to go: . Especially the the SP range. The only issue is the freight to Australia - about 90 pounds. They will not negotiate their shipping costs. The Wedmore SP-03 is my favorite.
Some good resources are:
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/index.html
http://www.microscopy.org.au/