Abstract: This paper deals with governance models for transit-oriented development (TOD). TOD is a concept of mixed-used, medium to higher density development around public transport that is gaining importance in Australia. In the last few years it has been discussed in all large Australian cities and the first examples have been built. To understand how metropolitan governance can help implement TOD, two overseas city regions will be examined and then will be compared to what is happening in Melbourne. In Bonn (Germany) there is an informal regional cooperation involving collaboration, among other things, on TOD. In Denver (USA) the citizens voted for an extension to the light rail network over a 12 year time frame. A regional planning organization is involved in TOD, and furthermore NGOs and other organisations are important players. In Melbourne the Transit Cities program aims to promote TOD and involves both state and local governments. The paper draws on interviews conducted in 2006 and 2007 and compares the three cities against a background of recent literature on metropolitan governance and TOD. It will critically assess the structures and highlight how Australian cities could learn from the experiences.