Spence then moved to Australia, joining the
Parramatta Eels and making his first grade debut in 1995. He impressed many in his rookie season and was awarded the
Eric Grothe Rookie of the Year award at Parramatta. However he needed a knee reconstruction in 1997 and this injury plagued his next two seasons at the Eels. He signed for the
Western Suburbs Magpies in 1999 and looked to rebuild his career. However, before the season had started he failed a
NRL drug test, testing positive for
ecstasy. He was the first player to be suspended under the NRL's new drug rules and received a seven-week suspension. With the Magpies merging with
Balmain for the 2000 season he was forced to move clubs again and returned home to New Zealand to play for the
Auckland Warriors. He was not re-signed by the new owners in 2001 and retired. When not required by the Warriors in 2000, Spence was assigned to play for the
Newtown Jets. He played for the
Northcote Tigers in the
2002 Bartercard Cup. ==Later years==