From SEEK To LinkedIn: Where To Actually Find Jobs In Melbourne

According to the ABS, the unemployment rate in Australia as of March 2025 was 4.1%.

If you are one of the people looking for work in Melbourne, possibly because you’ve just graduated, want to switch careers, or intend to return to the workforce after a break, the job hunt can feel pretty challenging.

The city’s job market is big, competitive, and rapidly growing, with net migration being 121,000 last year. So, it would help to know exactly where to focus your energy.

That is why we’ve put together this guide to walk you through the most effective pathways to find job opportunities in Melbourne. Whether you’re chasing a full-time gig, a remote role, or a freelance contract, we’ll help you cast a wider net and land something that suits your goals.

1. Melbourne Recruitment Agencies

Arguably, the most effective way to look for work is to enlist the help of the professionals.

Melbourne recruitment agencies such as Ignite are often the first to know when new roles become available, sometimes even before they’re posted online. So, it’s worth making connections with them to get one step ahead of your competition.

These agencies work directly with hiring managers and are trusted by them to shortlist the best candidates. By registering with them, you can gain access to exclusive job openings in a wide range of fields, including everything from IT and administration to finance and marketing.

The great thing about recruitment agencies is that they can help you create a stronger resume, provide feedback on how you present, and better prepare you for interviews.

2. SEEK

For many job seekers in Australia, SEEK is still the go-to platform because with thousands of listings posted every day, it’s a perfect starting point for job hunting.

SEEK allows you to filter by salary, industry, suburb, and job type, which makes it super easy to narrow down your search. If you intend to use it, we recommend setting up job alerts for specific search terms, as you’ll be made aware of new listings as soon as they are posted.

3. LinkedIn

Along with SEEK, LinkedIn is another widely used platform for those looking for jobs in Melbourne, particularly for those who are after corporate roles. It’s the place to be seen professionally, especially if you’re in business, marketing, tech, or other white-collar fields.

Not only can you apply for roles through LinkedIn, but it’s also where recruiters go looking for potential candidates. The more active you are on the platform and the more interesting and detailed your profile is, the more your chances of being headhunted or invited to apply for roles that aren’t listed elsewhere will increase.

4. Niche Job Boards

Between them, SEEK and LinkedIn cover a lot of ground. However, niche job boards often give you access to more targeted opportunities that aren’t necessarily available on them.

One good niche job board is EthicalJobs.com.au, which is ideal for people looking for work that aligns with their values. For example, NGOs, community services, and sustainability roles. So, if you want a job that contributes to something meaningful, this is the place to look.

Elsewhere, Jora and Adzuna are job aggregators that collect listings from across various platforms, including company career pages. They’re great for uncovering lesser-known opportunities that might not appear on SEEK.

Meanwhile, ArtsHub, Scout Jobs, and Pedestrian Jobs are popular for creatives and those in fashion, media, hospitality, and events. These platforms are more targeted towards Melbourne’s vibrant cultural scene and tend to feature employers who appreciate outside-the-box thinkers.

5. Government and University Job Boards

If you’re after long-term security and a good work-life balance, then it’s worth checking out what government jobs in Victoria are available.

The Jobs Victoria portal lists a wide range of public sector roles, which range from customer service and administration to project management and policy development. 

Federal government positions are listed on APSJobs, and they include everything from graduate programs to senior advisory roles.

Another job source that many Melbourne jobhunters overlook is university career pages. Institutions like the University of Melbourne and Monash University regularly advertise academic and professional positions, with many of these being aimed at admin, marketing, finance, or IT professionals.

What makes university roles such an attractive option is that they often come with great benefits, solid pay, and the chance to be part of a prestigious organisation.

6. Facebook Groups and Slack Channels

Social media might not seem like the most obvious place to find work, but you’d be surprised how many opportunities are available on it.

There are dozens of active Facebook groups dedicated to job seekers in Melbourne, with groups like “Melbourne Jobs Board,” “Melbourne Creatives + Freelancers,” and “Melbourne Tech People” posting job leads daily. Indeed, many employers prefer to share listings in these communities before posting them publicly, as it often saves them a lot of money in recruitment costs.

Slack channels are another great way to find work, especially for freelancers, developers, and startup workers. Communities often have job boards or gig-sharing channels where members post leads and referrals. These are more casual than job boards but often more direct, giving you the chance to talk with hiring managers or project leads in real time.

7. Networking

Back in the day, networking was one of the best ways to get your name known in the job market and even today in Melbourne, many roles are filled through word-of-mouth or personal referrals.

Throughout the city, regular networking events are held, such as local meetups, industry panels, and community events. Spaces like The Commons, Creative Cubes, and Inspire9 regularly host events where you can meet like-minded professionals, and they can be a great way to uncover employment opportunities.

Likewise, if you’re in tech or startups, events run by organisations like Startup Victoria or General Assembly are another excellent way to connect. You might also want to consider coaching from a mentor on how to become a more rounded employee.

Once you’ve struck up a conversation, don’t forget to follow up with people on LinkedIn to remain on their radar down the track.