Finding information in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne is well serviced with a range of publications that provide extensive information about what to do and see and how to settle here.  I am pleased to be able to say that the majority of information that has been published is of good quality, particularly government resources.

However, I would hasten to add that it is important to collect your information from a variety of sources - as some information is published with a particular agenda in mind (for instance, to encourage you to migrate here).  Be prudent in your approach and confirm the reliability of information before making any final decisions.

You may like to bookmark this page (Ctrl + D) so that you can easily return here.

We would also encourage you to visit our Shop as we have produced a more comprehensive location guide that provides more specific information to shortcut the process of visiting all of these websites.

To find local information, when you type in a search query into your internet search engine, include the words

• Victoria or Australian or Melbourne
• Association or Institute or Group or Body or Society

Universities in Australia specialise in different fields of knowledge and you may be able to approach a particular department for some local information.  You can find a list of all Australian universities at The Good Guides (see link below)

There are many international associations, chambers of commerce, business groups/networks that are 'country specific.'  Have a look at the White Pages Telephone Book (printed directory in all residences and also available from your local post office) and look for the name of the country that you are interested in - for instance British / Britain / United Kingdom as well as the same country name after the word 'Australia' or 'Australian.' So for instance, you can find the 'Australian British Chamber of Commerce' and contact them direct.  These groups are most likely to be able to refer you to other social/expatriate/ethnic/migrant type groups that can provide further information and advice specific to other newcomers like you.

The other categories you may like to research in the Yellow Pages Telephone Book (printed directory in all residences and also available from your local post office) are:

• ethnic clubs - or social/general clubs
• societies - general
• newspapers - look for specialist publications, for instance the 'Chinese Newspaper'
• magazines and periodicals - contact relevant publishers and find out where you can purchase a copy
• associations and organisations
• relocation service providers (charge a fee but may save you time and money)

Make sure you find the relevant Federal (Australian) Government Department related to your areas of interest - connect to these via a key word search at the Australian Government Directory Website or the General Australian Government Portal (listed below)

You can also source information from the State Government Department related to your areas of interest.

Finally, and very importantly, you need to source information in your local community via the relevant Local Government Council related to where you are living (and you can also do this for the area where you are working) through the Municipal Association of Victoria.  This website allows you to search for the local council using your suburb name or postcode.  You can contact them for a 'New Residents Kit' and/or their local 'Community Information Booklet.'  If you are planning to start a business, there are many resources and networks they can connect you to.  Make a time to visit your local council too - you pay for this resource through either council rates or rental payments on the property you live or work in.

When you have spent enough time in front of your computer, the other option is to ask questions - talk to your neighbours, work colleagues and people that you meet and ask them where they find information.  They may also be able to help you directly with an answer to your questions.  In Australia, it is perfectly acceptable to ask questions and seek information.

For general information, you may find it useful to listen to the radio, watch television and read daily or weekly newspapers.  You can source details of these resources in the Yellow Pages Telephone Book.  In particular, if you speak a language other than English, find out what programs and publications are available in your first language.

Websites you can visit

The Good Guides (listing of all universities in Australia)

White Pages (telephone book available in print and online)
http://www.whitepages.com.au

Australia Post (find your nearest post office)
http://www.auspost.com.au

Yellow Pages (telephone book available in print and online)
http://www.yellowpages.com.au

Citysearch (a for profit listing of various information - good for a general introduction)
http://www.citysearch.com.au

Australian Government Directory (search by keyword to find what you are looking for)
http://www.directory.gov.au

Australian Government (information portal for Australian Government well worth visiting)
http://www.australia.gov.au

Victorian Government (information portal for State Government)
http://www.vic.gov.au

Information Victoria (a purpose built resource to help you access State Government information)
http://www.information.vic.gov.au

Municipal Association of Victoria (find your local council and contact them for information)
http://www.mav.asn.au

Culture and Recreation Portal (use the Bluey Search to find specific cultural information)
http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au

Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) (links to many ethno-specific programs and information)
http://www.sbs.com.au

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) (essential site to visit where you can spend days looking at relevant information)
http://www.abc.net.au

The Age (broadsheet newspaper)
http://www.theage.com.au

The Herald Sun (tabloid newspaper)
http://www.heraldsun.com.au

The Financial Review (financial newspaper with a good section AFR Boss)
http://www.afr.com and http://afrboss.com

Fairfax Community Network Newspapers (free local community newspapers delivered to your letterbox)
http://www.fcnonline.com.au/fcnvic.asp?pcode=fcn

 

News Limited's Leader Community Newspapers (free local community newspapers delivered to your letterbox)
http://leadernewspapers.com.au

Other topics of interest

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2. See our shop for quality publications.

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4. Consider reading other sections that provide you with the skills and strategies for success.

Keywords for this page of the Newcomers Network website

Locations, Melbourne Victoria Australia, Finding information in Melbourne publications extensive settle quality decisions search engine Victoria Australian Melbourne Association Institute Group Body Society Universities Department International Associations chambers of commerce business groups networks country specific newspapers ethnic magazines periodicals publishers Federal Government New Residents Kit Community Information Booklet Local Council ask questions seek The Good Guides White Pages telephone book Australia Post Yellow Pages telephone book Citysearch Australian Government Directory Portal Victorian Government Information Victoria Municipal Association of Victoria Culture and Recreation Portal Special Broadcasting Service SBS Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABC The Age The Herald Sun broadsheet tabloid The Financial Review AFR  Boss Fairfax Community Network News Limited Leader Community Newspapers

Author (Sue Ellson)

First Published (Saturday, 26 May 2007)