The only difference between MEL and SYD for :-: coverage is OZ to ICN and AC to YVR. Otherwise MEL has the same :-: choices as SYD with the same sort of onwards connections available.

Star Options @ MEL :
SQ nonstop to/from SIN - 3 daily
TG nonstop to/from BKK - 2 daily
NZ nonstop to/from AKL/CHC/WLG - multiple dailies
CA nonstop to SHA & same flight on to PEK - 3 weekly
UA (via SYD) to LAX/SFO- - 1 daily.
As a former Melbournian, I highly reccommend using any options that allow you to bypass SYD shuffle experience.