Start with the hardest constraint, not the easiest. For most first-time renters in Melbourne that constraint is the load: an awkward sofa, a stack of flat-pack boxes, kit that refuses to fit a saloon boot. Build your hire around that problem, then let the rest of the plan follow.
Enquiry details: put your awkward load on the table
Open every conversation by describing what you actually need to move. A bike with a non-removable front wheel, a chest of drawers, three suitcases and a dog cage, name it all. Staff can only match you to a sensible category if they know the shape of the cargo, not just the headcount. While you are at it, ask which documents each driver must present and whether the deposit is held or charged.
Vehicle fit: measure before you commit
Guesswork is the enemy of a clean load. Take tape to your largest item at home, then compare that figure against the boot aperture of whatever category is proposed, hatchbacks disguise shallow sills, estates hide them entirely. On collection day, walk the car with a member of staff and log every existing scuff, chip and tyre blemish on the condition record before your keys are in your hand.
Timing: build slack around the handover
Loading never goes to plan the first time, so pad your schedule. Aim to collect well before any fixed appointment, a ferry, a viewing, a family lunch, and accept that the paperwork, the walkthrough and the actual packing will each take longer than expected. Ask the branch how local traffic typically behaves at your collection hour and what the procedure is if a return runs late.
Booking terms: settle the money questions up front
Fuel is where returns go wrong. Confirm whether you collect full, whether you must refill within reach of the branch, and how shortfalls are priced before you drive off. Check which payment card the deposit sits against and when the hold clears. Agree in advance how extra drivers are added to the agreement, including any licence checks or age conditions, so nobody is ruled out at the counter.
Questions before you book
What is the first thing to sort when hiring a car in Melbourne?
Define your difficult item, its dimensions and its handling quirks, and raise it with the hire desk straight away. That single detail shapes the vehicle category, the collection time and how much loading slack you need.
How do I avoid surprises when returning the car?
Ask about the fuel policy, deposit release and late-return procedure at the point of booking rather than at drop-off. Photograph the car's condition on collection and again on return, so any dispute has a clear record.
