Australia uses different rules for resumes than the US, UK, or most of Europe. If you apply to Australian jobs with an American-style one-page resume, you’ll look like you didn’t do your homework. If you apply with a European-style CV that includes a photo and personal details, you’ll make hiring managers uncomfortable.
Australian employers expect a document they call a “CV” but which functions more like what Americans call a resume — except it’s typically two to four pages, never includes a photo, and follows specific formatting conventions that differ from both the American and European norms.
this guide covers the resume format, the job market structure, visa considerations, and the industry-specific knowledge you need.
The Australian Resume Format
Australians use the terms “CV” and “resume” interchangeably, but the document they expect is closer to a detailed resume than an academic CV. Here’s what it should include:
Length: 2-4 pages. One-page resumes are common in the US but unusual in Australia. Employers expect more detail. Two pages is standard for early-career candidates. Three to four pages is normal for mid-to-senior roles. Going beyond four pages is too much for anyone below executive level.
No photo. Australia has strong anti-discrimination laws under the Fair Work Act. Including a photo is considered inappropriate because it can introduce bias based on age, race, or gender. Leave it off.
No date of birth, marital status, or nationality. These personal details are standard on CVs in some European and Asian markets but are not expected (and often unwelcome) in Australia. The only personal information you include is your name, phone number, email, city/state, and LinkedIn URL.
Career profile or professional summary. A three to five sentence summary at the top. Australian employers expect this. It should state your experience level, your specialization, and what you’re looking for.
Key skills. A brief section listing six to ten core competencies relevant to the role. This section helps with ATS parsing and gives the reader a quick overview.
Employment history. Listed in reverse chronological order. For each role, include the job title, company name, dates of employment and four to six bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements. Australian employers value detail more than brevity, so don’t be afraid to go deeper than you would on a US resume.
Education. Degree name, institution and graduation year. Include relevant coursework or thesis topics for recent graduates. Professional development and certifications belong here or in a separate section.
Referees. Australian resumes typically include two to three professional references or the phrase “References available upon request.” Including actual referee names and contact details is more common in Australia than in the US.
Key Differences From US and UK Resumes
If you’re adapting an existing resume for the Australian market, here are the changes to make:
Spelling. Use Australian/British English spelling. “Organisation” not “organization.” “Colour” not “color.” “Analyse” not “analyze.” This signals awareness of local conventions and avoids looking careless.
Date format. Use day-month-year (15 March 2024), not month-day-year (March 15, 2024). For employment dates, “March 2022 - Present” works, but make sure you’re consistent.
Terminology. “GPA” isn’t commonly used. If your Australian degree uses WAM (Weighted Average Mark), HD/D/C/P grading, or a different scale, use whatever system your institution uses. For international degrees, you can include a brief conversion note.
Salary expectations. Never include salary expectations on your Australian resume unless specifically asked. Salary discussion happens during the interview process.
Cover letters. Most Australian job applications expect a cover letter. It’s a separate document, but it should align with your resume’s narrative. Many Australian recruiters won’t consider an application without one.
The Australian Job Market in 2026
Australia’s economy is driven by services, mining, healthcare, education, construction and technology. Understanding which industries are growing and which are contracting helps you target your search effectively.
Healthcare and Social Assistance. This is Australia’s largest employer, accounting for over 15% of all jobs. The aging population is driving sustained demand for nurses, aged care workers, mental health professionals and allied health practitioners. The Australian government has invested heavily in healthcare workforce expansion. Registered nurses and midwives are on the Skills Priority List.
Technology. Australia’s tech sector is concentrated in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The country has a growing startup ecosystem (Atlassian, Canva, Afterpay/Block are Australian success stories). Demand is strong for software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity professionals, and cloud engineers. Tech salaries have been rising to compete with remote offers from US and European companies.
Mining and Resources. Western Australia and Queensland are the centers of Australia’s mining industry. Mining engineers, geologists, environmental scientists and heavy equipment operators remain in high demand. Fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) work is common for remote mine sites. Salaries in mining are among the highest in Australia, often 30-50% above equivalent roles in other industries.
Construction and Infrastructure. Major infrastructure projects across Australian states are driving demand for civil engineers, project managers, tradespeople and construction managers. Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane all have multi-billion-dollar transport and housing projects underway.
Education. Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of education services. International student enrollment supports a large education sector, from universities to vocational training (TAFE). Teachers, lecturers and education administrators are in steady demand, particularly in regional areas.
Agriculture. Seasonal agricultural work employs a significant number of temporary and working holiday visa holders. Permanent roles in agricultural management, agritech and food processing are concentrated in regional Australia.
City and Regional Differences
Australia’s job market varies significantly by location.
Sydney (New South Wales). The largest city and the financial capital. Strong in finance, professional services, tech, media and healthcare. The most competitive job market. Highest cost of living. Expect to pay $500-$700+ per week for a one-bedroom apartment in the inner suburbs.
Melbourne (Victoria). The second largest city and a cultural hub. Strong in education, healthcare, manufacturing, tech and professional services. Melbourne has a large and growing tech scene and is home to several major research institutions. Slightly lower cost of living than Sydney.
Brisbane (Queensland). Growing fast. Strong in engineering, mining services, construction, tech and government. The 2032 Olympics are driving major infrastructure investment and job creation. More affordable than Sydney or Melbourne.
Perth (Western Australia). The mining capital of Australia. Engineering, mining, oil and gas and construction dominate. Salaries are high, especially for FIFO workers. The city is geographically isolated from the eastern states.
Adelaide (South Australia). Smaller market, but strong in defense (shipbuilding, aerospace), wine and agriculture, healthcare and education. Lower cost of living than the eastern capitals.
Canberra (ACT). The national capital and the center of government employment. If you want to work in Australian public service, federal government, or defense, Canberra is the place.
Regional Australia. Many occupations qualify for additional visa pathways and points if you’re willing to work outside major cities. Regional areas have labor shortages in healthcare, education, agriculture, trades and hospitality. The trade-off is fewer job options and less urban infrastructure.
Visa and Work Rights
If you’re not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, your work rights depend on your visa type.
Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417/462). Available to citizens of eligible countries, ages 18-30 (35 for some countries). Allows you to work in Australia for up to one year, with the option to extend by completing specified regional work (typically farming or construction). This is the most common entry point for young international workers.
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482, TSS). Employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers. Requires a job offer from an approved sponsor in an eligible occupation. Two streams: Short-Term (up to 2 years) and Medium-Term (up to 4 years, with a pathway to permanent residency). The employer must demonstrate they couldn’t find a suitable Australian worker.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189). Points-based visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer. Points are awarded for age, English proficiency, work experience, education and other factors. You must nominate an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). Processing times vary but can be 6-18 months.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190). Similar to the 189 but requires state or territory government nomination. Each state has its own priority list and nomination criteria.
Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). For international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution. Allows you to work in Australia for 2-4 years depending on your qualification level. This visa gives you time to gain local work experience and build your career before transitioning to a longer-term visa.
Skills Assessment. Most skilled visa pathways require a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. For engineers, it’s Engineers Australia. For accountants, it’s CPA Australia, CA ANZ, or IPA. For IT professionals, it’s the Australian Computer Society (ACS). Start this process early because assessments can take 8-12 weeks.
Job Search Channels
SEEK (seek.com.au). The dominant job board in Australia. Most employers post here, and most job seekers start here. Create a profile and set up job alerts for your target roles.
LinkedIn. Growing in importance for professional roles. Australian recruiters actively use LinkedIn for sourcing candidates, especially in tech, finance and professional services. Make sure your LinkedIn profile mirrors your resume.
Indeed Australia. Aggregates job postings from multiple sources. Good for breadth of search.
Company websites. Many large Australian employers (Commonwealth Bank, BHP, Telstra, Woolworths, NSW Health) post roles directly on their careers pages. Apply directly when possible.
Recruitment agencies. Australia has a strong recruitment agency culture. Agencies like Hays, Robert Half, Michael Page and Randstad are widely used. Building relationships with recruiters in your field can surface roles that aren’t publicly advertised.
Government portals. APSJobs (apsjobs.gov.au) for federal government roles. Each state has its own public service job portal (e.g., iworkfor.nsw.gov.au, careers.vic.gov.au).
Networking. Word-of-mouth hiring is common in Australia, particularly in smaller markets and specialized industries. Industry events, meetups and professional associations are valuable channels. Australians are generally approachable and willing to have informal career conversations.
Resume Tips Specific to Australia
Use Australian industry terminology. “Super” means superannuation (retirement savings). “Casual” employment means hourly work without guaranteed hours but with a 25% casual loading on the base pay rate. “Award rate” refers to the minimum pay rate for an occupation under Australia’s industrial relations system. Using these terms correctly signals familiarity with the Australian employment system.
Highlight results in AUD. If you’ve managed budgets, generated revenue, or saved costs, convert figures to Australian dollars when applying in Australia. A “$5M project” is more meaningful when the reader knows the currency.
Include professional memberships. Australian employers value memberships in professional bodies. Engineers Australia, CPA Australia, the Australian Institute of Management and similar organizations carry weight.
Address visa status (if applicable). If you have the right to work in Australia, mention it briefly in your cover letter or at the top of your resume. “Australian citizen,” “Permanent resident,” or “TSS visa holder with full work rights” removes uncertainty for the employer.
For detailed guidance on what Australia’s top employers expect, read our resume requirements for Australia’s top companies.
Salary Expectations and Superannuation
Australian salaries are typically quoted as annual gross figures. On top of your salary, employers are legally required to contribute 11.5% (as of 2025-26) to your superannuation fund. This is separate from your salary and is paid into a retirement account on your behalf.
When evaluating offers, factor in superannuation, leave entitlements (4 weeks annual leave minimum, 10 days personal/carer’s leave) and any salary sacrifice arrangements (which can reduce your taxable income by paying for certain expenses pre-tax).
The national minimum wage in Australia is among the highest in the world. As of 2025, it’s $24.10 per hour for full-time and part-time employees. Award rates for specific industries and roles are often higher.
Cultural Expectations in Australian Workplaces
Australian workplace culture tends toward egalitarianism. Titles matter less than they do in the US or Asia. First names are standard from day one, even with senior leaders. The communication style is direct and understated competence is valued over self-promotion.
On your resume, this means avoiding overly boastful language. Instead of “Brilliantly executed a transformative strategy,” write “Developed and implemented a strategy that increased revenue by 18%.” Let the numbers speak. Australian employers respond well to matter-of-fact descriptions of what you achieved.
1Template offers resume templates formatted for the Australian market, with the right length, section order and formatting conventions built in. If you’re adapting from a US or European resume, it’s a quick way to get the format right so you can focus on the content.
The Australian job market rewards preparation. Get your resume format right, understand the visa pathway that applies to you and target your applications to the industries and regions where demand is strongest. Do that, and you’ll be ahead of most applicants before the first interview.
