What's a good way of getting hold of cheap/second hand furniture in Melbourne? (i.e. like Trade Me)

try waste transfer stations. I furnished most of my house this way. you'll be amazed what people throw out. give the guys running the site a few dollars.

I agree, its amazing what people throw out, terrible waste. I think they do that as brand new (low quality) furniture is so cheap here. Try places like fantastic furniture for brand new furniture and ebay for good quality second hand furniture. I have furnished my house with designer furniture from ebay!!

Some trading/classifieds sites to try: Gumtree - http://melbourne.gumtree.com.au/, Ebay - http://ebay.com.au, Trading Post - http://tradingpost.com.au. Things are a bit more fragmented here than in NZ where everyone pretty much just uses Trade Me. You will find a few used furniture markets too around Melbourne.

http:/ebay.com.au

You could also try www.quicksales.com.au. Not quite as well-established as Ebay or Gumtree, but still plenty of furniture listings