Go to the website for the Australian Plant Society (Vic)
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~sgapvic/and follow the links to various pages on
plants and their requirements. Alternatively follow the links to the Vic
website and contact your local APS group. They will be able to give you very
good advice on what exactly suits local conditions and what has worked for
members in your area. The Vic eastern group is very large and active.

There is a link to the Aust National Botanic Gardens
http://www.anbg.gov.au/anbg/ as well where you will find much info on plant
suitability/growing conditions.
Also check out your library for a copy of "Grow what were" or Wrigley and
Fagg's "Aust plants for gardens and cultivation" . If you join your local
group they will have an extensive library for member's use.You will most
likely find the two above books in the library.
You could also join this online group.
..http://groups.yahoo.com/group/australianplants/

I am trying to find suggestions for shade loving plants - not complete
shade
but mainly.

I'm after something (Australian native preferably) up approx 1 metre wide
&
high, to underplant our tall 'privacy giving' trees.

I'm located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

Thanks
JB