Australia Resume Format: What Recruiters Expect
Australian resumes are typically a little longer and more detailed than American ones, written in Australian/British English, and often list referees. Government roles add their own requirement: responses to selection criteria.
Length
2–3 pages is standard; up to 4 for senior roles.
Photo
No. Photos aren't expected in Australia.
Include
- Suburb/city and state
- Work rights, e.g. "Australian citizen", "Permanent resident" or your visa type with work rights
- A short career summary
- Two referees with contact details, or "Referees available on request"
- Licences and tickets relevant to the role (e.g. White Card, driver's licence, Working with Children Check)
Leave out
- Photo
- Date of birth, age or marital status
- Tax File Number
- Salary history
Section order for a Australia resume
- Contact details and work rights
- Career summary
- Key skills
- Work experience
- Education and qualifications
- Licences and certifications
- Referees
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Address selection criteria for government jobs
Australian Public Service and state government roles often ask you to respond to key selection criteria. Treat these as a separate document, answering each with a specific example (the STAR method works well).
Be clear about work rights
If you're on a visa, state the type and your work rights so employers know whether sponsorship is needed.
Use Australian English
Spell "organise", "colour" and "programme"/"program" as the employer does, and use local job titles where they differ from overseas equivalents.
Include relevant tickets and checks
In trades, healthcare, education and construction, licences and checks like the White Card or Working with Children Check are often mandatory — list them clearly.
Where to apply in Australia
Most large employers on these sites screen with ATS software. Match the job ad's wording — our job description keyword extractor pulls out the terms to use.
FAQ
How long should an Australian resume be?
Usually 2–3 pages. Longer than a US resume, but every line should still be relevant.
Do Australian resumes include referees?
Often, yes — typically two professional referees, or a line saying referees are available on request.
Should I put my visa status on my resume?
Yes, if you're not a citizen or permanent resident. State your visa type and work rights.
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