Pots are perfect because you can move them around to wherever they need to be.

I wouldn't bother trying to start basil and coriander in Melbourne until at least September - they will most likely die through winter. Rosemary is SO easy, and it thrives in Melbs - we have to work a bit harder on ours up here in Brissy. Hard herbs are easy to grow through winter - oregano and thyme are also good choices.

Buy little seedlings at markets and then re-pot at home. Most herbs love milky water - when you rinse out your milk bottle for rcycling, tip it out on them, it's great.

Go for it, and don't lose heart if any of them don't survive.