The Melbourne skate, Spiniraja whitleyi, a large skate endemic to Australia, is a major bycatch species in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery in southeast Australian waters. There are currently no species-specific conservation measures in place for S. whitleyi, with limited knowledge on their basic life history. Furthermore, as fisheries often have a capture bias towards larger animals, S. whitleyi populations are likely to have increased vulnerability to fishing. Therefore, this study aimed to produce management relevant demographic information using static age-structured Leslie matrix models for S. whitleyi populations in southeast Australia. Life-history parameters including sexual maturity, fecundity, age and growth were used to form the foundation of vital rates in the demographic analyses. The finite rate of population increase was 1.38 yr-1, suggesting that S. whitleyi has some capacity to be sustainably harvested. The elasticity analysis and differing harvest strategies explored both suggest reducing fishing-induced mortality on the juvenile age class of S. whitleyi will be an important focus area in fisheries management of this species. This study provides significant information that can be used in refining management strategies for S. whitleyi populations vulnerable to exploitation in southeast Australia.