How to write an Australian-style resume and cover letter: format, length, what to include, what to leave out, and where to apply for your first job.
Australian resumes look different from those in most other countries. Here is exactly what employers expect — and the common mistakes that get applications filtered out immediately.
An Australian resume (called a 'resume' not a 'CV' in most contexts) should be: - 1–2 pages maximum for student/graduate roles. 1 page is fine for your first Australian job. - Reverse chronological order: most recent experience first - Clean, readable formatting: clear headings, consistent font (Arial, Calibri, or Georgia), 10.5–12pt text, normal margins - Saved and submitted as a PDF (unless the application specifically asks for .docx) Standard sections in order: 1. Name and contact details (top of page) 2. Professional summary (3–4 sentences) 3. Education 4. Work experience 5. Skills 6. References line ('Available on request')
Include: - Full name - Phone number (Australian number if you have one) - Email address (professional — firstname.lastname@gmail.com, not nicknames) - LinkedIn profile URL (if it's up to date) - Suburb and state (e.g. Carlton, VIC) — you do not need your full address Do NOT include: - Photo - Date of birth - Marital status - Gender - Nationality or visa status (you don't need to disclose this on a resume) - Religion This is one of the biggest differences from resumes in many Asian, European, and African countries. Australian employers are legally prohibited from discriminating based on most of these factors, and including them can actually disadvantage you by creating unconscious bias.
The professional summary (also called a 'career objective' or 'profile') sits at the top of the resume below your contact details. It's 3–4 sentences that tell the employer who you are and what you offer. Good structure: - Sentence 1: Who you are (degree, field, university) - Sentence 2: Key skills or experience relevant to this role - Sentence 3: What you're looking for / what you offer the employer Example: 'Master of Information Technology student at the University of Melbourne with a background in software development and data analysis. Experienced in Python, SQL, and machine learning through academic projects and a previous internship at [Company]. Seeking a part-time or casual role where I can contribute technical problem-solving skills while developing practical industry experience.' Tailor this slightly for each role. Copy-paste summaries are obvious.
Many international students list their work experience as a list of duties: 'Responsible for customer service. Responsible for stock management.' This is the weakest way to write experience. Australian employers want achievements and impact: - Instead of: 'Responsible for customer service' - Write: 'Assisted 50+ customers daily in a high-volume retail environment, maintaining a 4.8/5 customer satisfaction score' Use action verbs: managed, developed, created, implemented, improved, trained, coordinated, analysed. For first Australian jobs with limited local experience: Include academic projects, volunteer work, sports or club leadership, and any work experience from your home country. These all count. A university group project where you led the team and delivered on time is relevant experience.
Australian employers typically expect 2 references who can speak to your character and work quality. They may call or email them before or after an interview. Who to use: - A tutor or lecturer who knows your work (ask permission first) - A previous employer from your home country (fine — explain context briefly) - A supervisor from any volunteer, club, or community work What to say on the resume: Simply write 'References available on request' at the bottom. Do NOT list your references' names and contact details on the resume itself. Provide them separately when asked. Always tell your references in advance that you've listed them and what job you're applying for.
A cover letter is usually required for professional and part-time roles advertised on Seek or Indeed. For casual hospitality and retail jobs where you're handing in resumes in person, a cover letter is usually not needed. Australian cover letter format: - 1 page maximum, often 3–4 paragraphs - Address specifically to the role and company ('I am writing to apply for the Customer Service Officer position at [Company]...') - Paragraph 1: Who you are and what role you're applying for - Paragraph 2: Why you're suitable — match your skills to the job requirements - Paragraph 3: Why this company / role specifically - Closing: Thank them, indicate you're available for interview Avoid overly formal language: 'I humbly request the honour of being considered...' — this reads strangely in Australian workplace culture. Direct and professional is correct.
For your first Australian job: Online: - Seek (seek.com.au): Australia's largest job board - Indeed (indeed.com.au): Good for casual and part-time - Gumtree Jobs: Good for casual, local, and hospitality roles - LinkedIn: More useful for professional roles once you have some Australian experience In person: Walk into cafes, restaurants, and retail stores with a printed resume and introduce yourself. Many hospitality roles are still filled this way. Best time: Tuesday–Thursday mid-morning, when it's quiet. Industries most likely to hire international students: - Hospitality (cafes, restaurants, bars): Flexible hours, highest casual demand, RSA certificate helpful (get it online for ~$25) - Retail: Major chains (Kmart, Aldi, Woolworths, JB Hi-Fi) hire regularly - Tutoring: Universities, Kip McGrath, and private clients — especially valuable if you have strong maths, science, or IT skills - Aged care: Significant demand, requires NDIS screening, some positions ideal for healthcare students - Delivery (Uber Eats, DoorDash): Requires your own vehicle or e-bike, fully flexible, lower hourly rates after expenses - Admin and data entry: Part-time roles listed on Seek and Indeed — English proficiency and attention to detail valued
Including a photo is unusual in Australian resume culture and can actually create problems — it introduces information employers are legally not supposed to consider. Some recruiters will filter out resumes with photos on principle. Leave it out entirely.
Listing your references' names, contact details, and relationship on your resume exposes your referees to unsolicited contact and looks out of place to Australian employers. Simply write 'References available on request' and provide the details when asked.
Australian date format is day/month/year. If your resume or cover letter contains dates, write them correctly (e.g. 15/03/2024 or March 2024, not 03/15/2024). Also ensure your email address is professional — casual email names from student years can undermine an otherwise strong application.