Help

What can be listed on What’s On Melbourne?

We list events, businesses and places that are:

  • Located within the City of Melbourne boundary

  • open to the general public (no membership, appointment or pre-requisites required)

  • of destination appeal

  • focused on events, retail, hospitality or tourism

  • fully confirmed (no TBC dates or venues)

  • available for individual bookings

  • submitted by the organiser or authorised agent

We don't list the following:

  • websites and apps

  • classes or events that require multi-day attendance

  • online-only events

  • professional services including:

    • trades and utilities

    • travel agencies

    • real estate agents

    • medical and allied health services

    • massage, unless it is a luxury day spa experience

    • injectables and cosmetic procedures

    • tattoo parlours

    • beauty services, unless they have a significant retail offering

  • private functions or personal events

  • vigils, demonstrations and protests 

  • hire services

  • wholesale or B2B

  • self-guided tours

  • promotions and giveaways

  • personal and professional development

  • business networking events

  • concessions within department stores, excluding eligible events

  • gambling, adult services or explicit adult content 

  • political or religious content

Your listing may also be declined if we can’t verify it due to insufficient information, or if there are concerns for public health or safety.

Note that all listings are subject to review and editing to meet the City of Melbourne’s guidelines. Publication of an event is not an endorsement. The City of Melbourne reserves the right to accept, decline or remove any listing at any time.

What is considered a hospitality event?

  • To be listed on What’s On, a hospitality event must fall outside the venue’s regular activities

  • It must have an event element such as live music or entertainment, a guest or celebrity chef or kitchen takeover, one-off workshops or activities (not ongoing)

What is not considered an event?

  • Menu specials, degustations or happy hours

  • Sport or television screenings

  • Promotions, discounts or giveaways

If you would like to promote something that does not qualify for a listing, please contact marketing@melbourne.vic.gov.au as we may be able to add a special offer to your listing.

What is the City of Melbourne boundary?

The municipal council boundary for the City of Melbourne is shown on the map below. Only listings within this boundary can be published on What’s On Melbourne.

City of Melbourne map boundary
City of Melbourne map boundary

Why should I create a listing on What’s On Melbourne?

What’s On Melbourne amplifies eligible city businesses and events at no cost. Our website reaches over 10 million users a year across a wide range of demographics, and our marketing channels attract over a million followers. Melburnians and tourists alike view What’s On Melbourne as a trusted, independent source for all the best things to do and see in the city.

By listing on our site, your business or event may be featured across a range of advertising, social media, and campaigns. From curated lists and articles to trending videos, our team tailors and amplifies listings to optimise engagement and conversion with our audience. Create your listing for free.

I didn’t receive my verification or password reset email

If you didn’t receive your verification or password reset email, try the following:

  • Check your spam or junk folders

  • Repeat the steps to reset your password

  • Try sending the verification email again

  • Contact us

How long will it take to publish my listing?

Your listing will be reviewed within two business days. Once approved, it will go live immediately. If your listing needs urgent review, please Contact us after submitting.

How do I claim a listing?

If you find an existing listing on the website for a business or event that you own or manage, please contact our team . It is helpful if you provide us with the name of the listing, a link to the existing listing, and your relationship to the business or event.

We may ask for proof of ownership or relationship and will be able to transfer ownership of a listing once confirmed. Once you own a listing, you can update the images, description, hours, and other information.

How do I update a listing?

Listers are responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of their business or event listings. To update your listing, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your account in the Lister Portal

  2. You will see the listings you manage on your account page

  3. Find the listing you want to update and click the “Actions” dropdown button

  4. Click the edit button

  5. Update the listing as needed, review your changes, and submit it

  6. Our team will review your updates within 2 working days and will either approve or decline your changes

  7. You will receive an email with the outcome of the decision

Why was my listing declined?

Your listing will be declined if our editors determine that it doesn’t meet our listing criteria . Specific feedback can be viewed by selecting your listing from your dashboard.

Why has my listing information changed?

We reserve the right to modify any of the content submitted to ensure it meets City of Melbourne guidelines.

What are the photo requirements?

You can add up to four images to your listing.

Photos must be:

  • JPG or PNG format

  • less than 5MB

  • as high resolution as possible and not blurry 

  • free of logos or text

  • representative of your business or event 

  • approved for use by the copyright owner

  • taken in a lawful, fair and direct manner

  • not AI generated 

We will not publish posters/flyers, images with text or logos, images that contain nudity or those that may be offensive or defamatory. 

If people can be identified in an image, you must have their written permission. If children can be identified you must also have written consent from their parent/guardian.

Note that your content may appear on other City of Melbourne websites and social media, and may be provided to other websites or organisations.

What type of hotels can be listed on What’s On Melbourne?

We’re trialling hotel listings on the What’s On Melbourne website. This is currently in pilot phase and listings are limited to hotels only.

  • Hotels we can list:

    • Located within the City of Melbourne boundary

    • Available for individual bookings

    • Submitted by the authorised agent

    • Have destination appeal

    • Booking and website links go directly to the hotel website, or the owning operator's website

    • Booking links can not go to Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda or other similar third-party booking websites

    • Listings will be general in nature and will not list individual room prices or other specific information that should be available on the hotel websites.

  • Hotels we cannot list:

    • Airbnb, short-term rentals or privately operated bed and breakfasts

    • Timeshare / member only accommodation

    • Student accommodation

    • Flatshare, short-term housing or other rental providers

    • Backpackers and hostels

    • Any other accommodation or venue deemed ineligible by the City of Melbourne

    • As per editorial policy, the City of Melbourne can edit listing content as required to conform to our style and brand guidelines

    • As per editorial policy, the City of Melbourne can decline anything as unsuitable for a listing, and can remove listings at any time with no notice.

    Hotel special offers

    Like hotel listings, hotel offers are also being managed in a trial capacity. These are for simple, unique discounts or offerings the hotel provides. Special offers do not include listing individual room types or complimentary extras like wine, chocolate or free parking.

  • Eligible offer examples:

    • A flat discount or deal on bookings (eg. 20% off, stay x nights get x free)

    • Packages with neighbouring events or venues – stay and get x% off your meal, x% off theatre tickets

    • Exclusive rooms, like an artist takeover or a one-off themed room

Can I add accessibility information to my listing?

Yes, we have added an accessibility section to business and event listings. As a listing owner, you can select which accessibility features are available at your business or event.

Please ensure you read the definitions closely and only select features that currently exist at your business or event. Do not select any features that you are planning to add in the future or that do not meet the full definition. Refer to the Accessibility Guidelines page for further information.

As this information is self-reported and not verified by a third-party, it is important that you try to be as accurate and truthful as possible.

Support for your business or event

Here are some helpful resources about business support and promotional opportunities that the City of Melbourne can provide for your business or event:

Contact the What's On Melbourne team

Do you have a question or want to give feedback? If you’re referring to a particular listing, please include details (name or link) in your message.