Melbourne’s mouldiest areas: What you need to know

Victoria’s mouldiest areas have been revealed. Right picture: Reddit.

Melbourne has been ranked as the fourth-mouldiest capital city in Australia but it could soon be moving up the list thanks to the upcoming spring weather forecast.

Online local services marketplace Airtasker, based in Australia, has released data showing the nation’s unusually wet winter resulted in a 12 per cent jump in mould removal jobs in recent weeks.

Sydney and Darwin topped the tally sheet of the nation’s mouldiest cities, with 92.48 out of 100 and 82.41 out of 100 “mould scores” respectively.

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This was based on factors including the number of mould removal tasks by region from January 2020 to July 2025, online searches, dwelling conditions sourced from Australian Bureau of Statistics data and climate details such as humidity, rainfall and temperature.

Greater Melbourne scored a 73.83/100 mould ranking.

At a Victorian level, Melbourne’s outer east was the state’s mouldiest area with a 42.66 score.

The city’s south east was second on the local list, followed by Warrnambool and the state’s south west, Melbourne’s north east and the Latrobe and Gippsland region.

An Airtasker spokesperson said Melbourne’s cool, wet winters and frequent rainfall could create the “perfect conditions” for dampness and mould growth, particularly in older homes and apartments with limited ventilation.

The spokesperson said Victoria’s spring forecast pointed to wetter-than-usual conditions and warmer nights, creating the perfect environment for mould to thrive.

About 18 per cent of Australian rentals have mouldy bathrooms, according to Australian Council of Social Service and University of NSW research. Picture: Supplied.

It’s important to consult professional mould removalists for larger infestations. Picture: Milos Dimic.

An Australian renter posted this image of their property on social media this year. Picture: Reddit.

In addition, the Bureau of Meteorology’s official long-range spring forecast indicated wetter-than-normal weather for much of the Australia’s eastern seaboard when it was released in August.

And daytime temperature ranges are set to be warmer than usual for areas including Victoria.

In June, research from the Australian Council of Social Service and University of NSW revealed 18 per cent of Australian rentals have mouldy bathrooms.

The study also found more than two-thirds of tenants were too scared to ask for repair work in case it resulted in their rent being increased.

The report surveyed more 1000 people living in private rentals across Australia.

Victoria’s mouldiest regions. Source: Airtasker.

Mould tends to grow in damp and poorly ventilated areas.

Tenants Victoria chief executive Jennifer Beveridge said the organisation “too often” heard from renters having to replace their furniture and belongings because of mould in a home.

“A mouldy house can make you really sick – people tell us of children struggling to breathe, missing school, and increased hospitalisations,” Ms Beveridge said.

“You can see how important it is for landlords to keep their property in good condition.”

Under Victorian law, before a rental agreement is signed, landlords must inform people if there have been requests for mould-related repairs in their properties within the past three years.

“If renters keep the property reasonably clean and use the exhaust fans appropriately, then the landlord is generally responsible for fixing any mould problems,” Ms Beveridge said.

Tenants Victoria chief executive officer Jennifer Beveridge says landlords should make sure mould repairs are done properly, not just covered up or painted over.

Keeping a home clean is one way to help prevent against mould, as is opening windows and doors to let in air and sunlight.

A certified mould remediation specialist on Airtasker, Anthony Johnson, said untreated mould could emit unseen spores into the air.

In turn, this could potentially cause a range of health issues from allergies and respiratory problems to neurological symptoms such as headaches and brain fog, he added.

“To effectively treat small patches of mould, supermarket mould sprays and a dry cloth can usually take care of mould on walls and corners,” Mr Johnson said.

“But for larger infestations, or when mould appears on porous materials like couches, mattresses or other furniture, it’s best to call in a professional.”

Reducing humidity inside a residence can help to prevent mould through steps such as installing a dehumidifier, fixing leaks promptly, drying clothes outside, using airconditioning, having ceiling vents in bathrooms and improving airflow.

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