It has thick, pimply leaves, hairy new growth and large numbers of heads of pale yellow, fragrant flowers in spring or early summer.

Flowering occurs from September to January and is followed by fruit that are woody, cup-shaped capsules, 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long in cylindrical clusters along the stem.

[2] Melaleuca pustulata was first formally described in 1847 by Joseph Hooker from specimens collected "in Campbell Town and Oyster Bay".

[6] The specific epithet (pustulata) is derived from the Latin word pustula meaning "pimple", "blister" or "bubble",[7] referring to the prominent oil glands on the leaves of this species.

[2] This melaleuca occurs near the east coast of Tasmania usually in dry heath, often on shallow soils derived from dolerite.