Originally Posted by Mwenenzi

You will have to disembark at MEL. You will remain airside and do not formally enter Australia. Go through the transit door from arrivals side to departures side.
If you need an airside transit visa will depend on your passport, etc
Airlines use TIMATIC to check passengers eligibility to travel. You should not rely on posts from FT, but use official sources
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav

General sites. Some airlines have links to TIMATIC

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timatic
• https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/travelinformation.php
• https://www.emirates.com/nz/english/...uirements.aspx
• https://www.traveldoc.aero/Passenger/Check

Some visa info in the links in this thread--> Smartgate at Australia & NZ immigration Click to open the wiki.

MEL airport thread. Click to open the wiki.
Airport info MELBOURNE (MEL) - amenities, transfers, transport