Pier Fishing Melbourne & Victoria

Most piers are found on saltwater bays, estuaries and inlets in Victoria.  Some are situated on freshwater, but they are nowhere near as common there.
In freshwater pretty much any species occurring in the lake or river can be caught.  Including freshwater staples like Murray Cod, trout, redfin, yellowbelly and European Carp.
In saltwater, depending on the area, common pier catches include bream, garfish, immature “pinky snapperPinky Snapper The name "Pinky Snapper" refers to the immature Snapper.  Their skin colour is different from adults (its pinker.)

Adulthood is usually considered on fish greater than 40cm - or in the 1.5 to 2kg - range, with darker red colouration.
Pinky Snapper Pre-Tied Rigs”, adult snapper, flathead, whiting, calamari (squid), Australian salmon, tailor and many more.
As in all fishing target a specific species and use bait and rig accordingly.  You stand a higher chance of catching fish by being specific, rather than hoping to catch anything that’s passing by,

Choose your pier rod according to what you are hoping to achieve inline with the location you are fishing.
If your goal is to cast out and reach a reef area beyond the pier then a 10-foot or longer rod will be useful.
Whereas if you’re spinning lures or soft plasticsSoft Plastic Lure you may find a shorter rod between 6 to 9-foot to be more usable.
Match your reel to the size of your rod.  Bigger isn’t necessarily better.
Some pier fisho’s use telescopic rods that extends anywhere from 12 to 22-feet.  They often employ floats, when using this technique.  Sometimes with no reel at all.  Simply collapsing the rod to retrieve hooks or their fish.