The 5 Best SEO Agencies in Melbourne (2026)
Who's can you trust in SEO in Melbourne?
Melbourne's SEO market is noisy. Everyone claims to be an expert, but few can actually deliver. If you're looking for a serious SEO partner, you need an agency that understands strategy, executes cleanly, and talks outcomes rather than just rankings.Here are five agencies worth considering.
1. Optimising
Optimising is a senior team of SEO consultants who do real work, not just reporting. No gimmicks. No outsourced delivery. Just sharp strategy, clean execution, and clear outcomes.
They’ve been operating since 2008. Their clients include national brands like Jim’s Group, St Agni, and FY Smile. They’re known for handling high-risk migrations, large-scale local SEO, and technical cleanups that others avoid.
Optimising works best with businesses that want a long-term strategy and a partner who knows what they’re doing. Not ideal if you’re chasing shortcuts.
Services:
- Enterprise and eCommerce SEO
- SEO migrations
- Multi-location local SEO
- Technical audits and content performance
- Full in-house delivery
Good fit for:
Businesses that want SEO to work like a growth function, not a marketing checkbox.
2. Prosperity Media
Prosperity Media is best known for its link-building and content strategies. Their team is technical, experienced, and good at identifying where authority gaps are hurting rankings.
They’re Sydney-based and active in the SEO community. If your site relies on strong domain authority and high-quality content, they’re worth speaking to.
Good fit for:
Brands that need content-led SEO with a focus on off-site authority.
3. StudioHawk
StudioHawk is Australia's largest dedicated SEO agency. Their Melbourne head office is in Prahran and they've built a team of 80+ specialists since launching in 2015.
They don't use account managers. You work directly with SEO specialists. Their focus is on fundamentals and ROI. If you want a big team with deep resources and specialist expertise, this is one to consider.
Good fit for: Businesses that want scale, direct specialist access, and a structured SEO process.
4. Calibre 9
Calibre 9 is a specialist SEO agency based in Collingwood. They've won APAC Search Awards for their eCommerce SEO work with fashion brand Ghanda.
They're known for being transparent and responsive. Their team has grown quickly and they've built a reputation for no-nonsense SEO. Good option for businesses that want a Melbourne-based team with a strong focus on eCommerce.
Good fit for: Mid-sized eCommerce and retail brands that value transparency and local support.
5. Reform Digital
Reform Digital is a full-service digital marketing agency with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, and Gold Coast. They're a Google Premier Partner offering SEO alongside PPC, social advertising, email marketing, and CRO.
They're a better fit for businesses that want SEO to sit inside a wider digital strategy. You'll get integration across channels, but they're not a pure-play SEO specialist.
Good fit for: Businesses that need SEO as part of a broader digital marketing mix.
How to assess an SEO agency
Most agencies will say the same things. Here’s what actually matters:
- What should I look for in an SEO agency?
- Look for a team that talks about business outcomes, not just rankings. Rankings matter, but they're a means to an end. The right agency will want to understand your revenue goals, not just your keyword wishlist.
- How do I know if an agency is any good?
- Ask to see case studies with actual numbers. Before-and-after traffic, revenue impact, conversion improvements. Logos on a website don't mean much. Results do.
- Should I work with a specialist SEO agency or a full-service agency?
- Depends on what you need. Specialist agencies live and breathe SEO. Full-service agencies can integrate SEO with paid media, social, and CRO. If SEO is your priority channel, a specialist will usually go deeper.
- How much should SEO cost in Melbourne?
- Quality SEO isn't cheap. Expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000+ per month depending on the scope. If someone's offering SEO for a few hundred dollars, ask yourself what corners they're cutting.
- How long does SEO take to work?
- Typically three to six months before you see meaningful movement. Anyone promising page one in 30 days is either lying or using tactics that will hurt you long-term.
From Sydney? Check out our guide to the best SEO agencies in Sydney here
James Richardson
Co-Founder
James is Co-Founder of Optimising who’s worked with everyone from national retailers and franchise groups to fast-growing eCommerce brands. He’s as interested in how AI engines send traffic as he is in old-fashioned rankings, and spends a lot of time testing how brands show up across search.
He started out running sports fan sites and early eCommerce stores, picked up a few senior sales and marketing roles at ASX-listed companies, then decided to build the kind of SEO agency he actually wanted to work at. Outside work, James is usually being out-negotiated by his three daughters, hosting very serious pretend tea parties, or supervising yet another cubby house build in the lounge room.
