Australian resumes follow their own conventions: they are often a little longer than American ones, usually include referees, and government applications frequently ask you to address selection criteria. This guide explains the Australian resume format, section by section, and what to change if you are applying from overseas.
Australian resume format at a glance
| Element | Australian convention |
|---|---|
| Name | "Resume" is standard; "CV" is used for academic and medical roles |
| Length | Commonly 2–3 pages for experienced candidates; 1–2 for students and graduates |
| Order | Reverse-chronological |
| Photo | Not expected; leave it out |
| Personal details | No date of birth, marital status or religion |
| Spelling | Australian English (organise, colour, programme for events) |
| Paper size | A4 |
| Referees | Often listed (usually two), or "Available on request" |
Sections of an Australian resume
- Contact details: name, mobile number (+61 if applying from abroad), email, suburb and state, LinkedIn.
- Career summary: a short profile of your experience, strengths and goals.
- Key skills: 6–10 skills that match the job ad.
- Employment history: title, employer, location, dates and achievements. A one-line description of the employer helps for overseas roles.
- Education and training: degrees, TAFE qualifications and relevant short courses.
- Licences and certifications: for example driver licence, White Card, Working with Children Check or first aid, where relevant to the role.
- Referees: name, title, organisation and contact details, with their permission.
Writing achievements the Australian way
Australian recruiters value plain, direct language. Avoid overselling and focus on concrete outcomes:
- "Reduced customer wait times from 12 to 5 minutes by redesigning the call routing process."
- "Supervised a team of 8 casual staff across weekend shifts with no safety incidents over 18 months."
- "Prepared monthly BAS-ready reports for 30 small business clients." (Use local terms only if you genuinely worked with them.)
Government jobs and selection criteria
Many government, education and health roles ask you to address selection criteria or to write a short "pitch" statement explaining how you meet the requirements. Some Australian Public Service (APS) roles ask for a one-page pitch instead of a response to each criterion, while many state government and school roles still ask for separate responses. Always follow the instructions in the job pack. We explain how to write strong responses, with STAR examples, in our guide to key selection criteria.
Applying to Australia from overseas
- State your visa or work rights clearly if you have them, for example "Permanent resident" or "Working holiday visa (subclass 417), available from March".
- Explain international employers and qualifications in one line each.
- Mention whether your qualification has been assessed or recognised in Australia if your profession requires it.
- Use Australian spelling and A4 format.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an Australian resume be?
Two to three pages is common for experienced professionals. Keep it to one or two pages if you are a student or graduate, and cut anything that does not support the role.
Should I include referees on my resume in Australia?
It is common to list two referees, but "Referees available on request" is also accepted. Always ask your referees' permission first.
Do Australian employers use applicant tracking systems?
Yes, many do, including government recruitment portals. Use standard headings and the job ad's keywords. See our ATS guides.
Conclusion
An Australian resume is clear, achievement-focused, written in Australian English and often includes referees. For government roles, prepare to address selection criteria. Start your draft in the free Resume Builder and tailor it to each job ad.