Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Budget hotel recommendation for Melbourne

Visiting daughter for 11 days and looking for a decent place to stay near the University of Melbourne or the CBD but do not want to break the bank- Using FF miles has forced me to to stay a bit longer than I planned and hotel prices seem high.

Anyone use wotif.com or lastminute.com/au?

I just did (wotif). Some place called Pension Boutique in the CBD for some $85 a night. You could try Priceline to get the Marriott but the lowest bid in early September was over USD 90 before taxes and fees.

Are there any hostels nearby? It might be possible to book a private room for the period if it is not a peak holiday period.

What dates are these during a school holiday period or other peak backpacker period? Alternatively, is there some kind of accommodation service run by the University's union / SRC etc?

I can recommend the YHA Chapman Gardens (now renamed YHA Oasis) where I've stayed on past visits. It's on a tram line near the Children's Hospital and easy access into the CBD. I did 10 nights there my last visit (Swimming World Championships).
They have single rooms for $A56 for YHA members, $A62 if not a member.
http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/details.cfm?hostelid=99

PHOTO (http://tom911.smugmug.com/gallery/2804407_LGeyH#149717647_b2Hwr)of my room there

EXTERIOR PHOTO (http://tom911.smugmug.com/gallery/2804407_LGeyH#149720870_h5Vsz)

I booked my dad and sister at the Ibis Hotel across from the Queen Victoria Marketplace that has rates as low as $A114 a night.
http://www.accorhotels.com.au/1564/detail/default.aspx

Anyone use wotif.com or lastminute.com/au?

I've used lastminute.com.au for Brisbane before and got a 4* property on the mall downtown for around $A100. I'd use them again if the price was right.

...I booked my dad and sister at the Ibis Hotel across from the Queen Victoria Marketplace that has rates as low as $A114 a night.
http://www.accorhotels.com.au/1564/detail/default.aspx

Accor has a few good sales every year, so keep an eye on this forum.
One of our local members futaris oftem posts these sales, which is appreciated!
We stayed a night on Good Friday this year for $75 (then went on to other locations). The room was modern, basic but fine and a short walk to the QV Markets or a longer walk (opposite direction) to Lygon St eateries. Parking was $10/night.

Hotel Ibis Melbourne
15-21 Therry Street
Australia, Melbourne
Telephone: +61 (0) 3 96660000

Thanks all- I will look out for Accor sales and thanks Tom for the room photo. It is not scholll holiday period- Oct 15-24. I will also look at priceline and lastminute.