Yes the situation is better for Emeralds. For those with just OW Sapphire (QF gold) not so much different to star golds with a couple of exceptions (depending on which port). For example a star gold at ZRH or OWS at ORD will have a much better lounge to look forward to than a OWS at MEL or SYD.
Both are better than Scaryteam which ans a general rule, doesn’t offer lounge access on domestic travel (although I have managed it in some airports in Indonesia and China).
