<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The steam volatile leaf oils of <jats:italic>Melaleuca cordata</jats:italic> Turcz., <jats:italic>M. halmaturorum</jats:italic> F. Muell. ex Miq. subsp. <jats:italic>cymbifolia</jats:italic> (Benth.) Barlow, <jats:italic>M. incana</jats:italic> R.Br., <jats:italic>M. lanceolata</jats:italic> Otto subsp. <jats:italic>planifolia</jats:italic> Barlow, <jats:italic>M. rhaphiophylla</jats:italic> Schauer, <jats:italic>M. sheathiana</jats:italic> W. Fitzg, <jats:italic>M.</jats:italic> sp.aff. <jats:italic>sheathiana</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>M. uncinata</jats:italic> R.Br. <jats:italic>sensu lato</jats:italic> were analysed by GC‐MS. The oils were entirely terpenoid with the exception of <jats:italic>M. halmaturorum</jats:italic> var. <jats:italic>cymbifolia</jats:italic> which contained small amounts of baeckeol. Whilst 1,8‐cineole was a major constituent of most oils, terpinen‐4‐ol was the chief constituent of <jats:italic>M. uncinata</jats:italic> oil.