Australian Resume Guide: How to Write a CV for the Australian Job Market

Whether you’re an Australian entering the job market, an expat relocating to Australia, or an international candidate seeking opportunities Down Under, understanding Australian resume conventions is essential for job search success.

Australian employers have specific expectations that differ from other English-speaking countries. A resume that works perfectly in the US or UK may miss the mark in Australia. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about writing a resume that resonates with Australian hiring managers.

Australian Resume Basics

Resume vs. CV in Australia

In Australia, the terms “resume” and “CV” are often used interchangeably for job applications, though there’s a subtle distinction:

Resume: Generally shorter (2-3 pages), focused on relevant experience
CV: Can be longer, more comprehensive, often used in academic contexts

For most Australian job applications, “resume” and “CV” refer to the same document. Don’t worry about the terminology—focus on creating a document that effectively presents your qualifications.

Standard Length

Most professionals: 2-3 pages is standard and expected Entry-level: 1-2 pages Senior executives: 3-4 pages acceptable Academic positions: Can be longer (full CV with publications, etc.)

Unlike the US, where one-page resumes are often expected, Australian employers typically expect more detail. A one-page resume may appear too brief for experienced candidates.

Format Preferences

Standard formatting:

A4 paper size (not US Letter)
Clean, professional fonts (Arial, Calibri, Verdana)
10-12pt font for body text
Clear section headings
Consistent formatting throughout
No photos (unless specifically requested)

Essential Resume Sections for Australia

1. Personal Details

Start with your contact information:

JOHN SMITH
Sydney, NSW 2000
0412 345 678
[email protected]
linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

Include:

Full name (prominently displayed)
Suburb and state (not full address for privacy)
Australian mobile number (or international format if overseas)
Professional email address
LinkedIn profile URL (optional but recommended)

Do NOT include:

Date of birth/age
Marital status
Number of children
Religion
Ethnicity
Photograph (unless applying for performance/media roles)
Full street address

These exclusions reflect Australian anti-discrimination legislation.

2. Professional Summary/Profile

A brief paragraph (3-5 sentences) summarizing your professional identity:

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Results-driven Marketing Manager with 8 years' experience in FMCG and 
retail sectors. Proven track record of developing and executing 
integrated marketing campaigns that drive brand awareness and customer 
acquisition. Strong leadership skills with experience managing teams 
of up to 12 marketing professionals. Passionate about data-driven 
decision making and customer-centric marketing strategies.

Tips:

Tailor to each application
Focus on your value proposition
Include years of experience
Mention key industries or specialisations
Keep it concise and impactful

3. Key Skills/Core Competencies

A bullet-point list of your primary skills:

KEY SKILLS

• Strategic Marketing Planning          • Digital Marketing & SEO/SEM
• Brand Development & Management        • Team Leadership & Development
• Marketing Analytics & ROI Analysis    • Budget Management ($2M+)
• Stakeholder Engagement               • Campaign Development

Australian preferences:

Use Australian English spelling (organisation, analyse, behaviour)
Include both technical and soft skills
Be specific rather than generic
Align with job description requirements

4. Employment History

This is the most important section. Use reverse chronological order:

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Marketing Manager
ABC Retail Group, Sydney, NSW
January 2020 – Present

• Lead marketing team of 12 professionals across digital, brand, and 
  communications functions
• Developed and executed integrated marketing strategy resulting in 
  25% increase in brand awareness and 18% growth in customer acquisition
• Managed annual marketing budget of $2.5M, consistently delivering 
  campaigns under budget while exceeding KPIs
• Spearheaded digital transformation initiative, increasing online 
  sales contribution from 15% to 35% of total revenue
• Collaborated with product and sales teams to launch 8 new product 
  lines, achieving $4M in first-year revenue

Senior Marketing Executive
XYZ Consumer Products, Melbourne, VIC
March 2017 – December 2019

• Managed portfolio of 5 consumer brands with combined revenue of $15M
• Led successful rebranding project that increased market share by 8%
• Developed and implemented social media strategy, growing follower 
  base by 200% across platforms
• Coordinated with external agencies on advertising campaigns, 
  negotiating 15% reduction in media costs

Australian employer expectations:

Clear job titles
Company name and location (city and state)
Employment dates (month and year)
Achievement-focused bullet points
Quantified results where possible
Australian context understanding

5. Education

List qualifications in reverse chronological order:

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of Melbourne, 2019

Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing)
University of Sydney, 2013

Certificate IV in Project Management Practice
TAFE NSW, 2015

Include:

Degree/qualification name
Institution name
Year of completion
Relevant majors or specialisations
Honours or distinctions if notable

Note on Australian qualifications:

TAFE (Technical and Further Education) qualifications are respected
Include both university degrees and vocational qualifications
If you have international qualifications, consider mentioning Australian equivalency

6. Professional Development/Certifications

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Google Analytics Certified, 2024
• Advanced Diploma of Marketing, Australian Marketing Institute, 2022
• Agile Marketing Certification, 2021
• Mental Health First Aid Certification, 2023

Include recent, relevant professional development to show commitment to continuous learning.

7. Additional Sections (As Relevant)

Referees: Australian resumes often include referee details or state “Referees available upon request.”

REFEREES

Jane Brown
Marketing Director, ABC Retail Group
0412 xxx xxx
[email protected]

Michael Chen
CEO, XYZ Consumer Products
0413 xxx xxx
[email protected]

Or simply: “Professional referees available upon request”

Volunteer Experience:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Marketing Volunteer
Charity Organisation, Sydney
2021 – Present
• Develop social media content and coordinate fundraising campaigns

Professional Memberships:

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Australian Marketing Institute (AMI), Member since 2018
• Australian Institute of Management (AIM)

Australian Resume Example

Here’s a complete Australian resume example:

SARAH CHEN
Melbourne, VIC 3000
0423 456 789
[email protected]
linkedin.com/in/sarahchen

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Dedicated Human Resources professional with 6 years' experience in 
talent acquisition, employee engagement, and HR operations. Skilled 
in developing and implementing HR strategies that align with 
organisational objectives. Strong communicator with proven ability 
to build relationships across all levels of an organisation. 
Passionate about creating positive workplace cultures that drive 
performance and retention.

KEY SKILLS

• Talent Acquisition & Recruitment    • Employee Relations
• HR Policy Development               • Performance Management
• Workplace Health & Safety           • HRIS Systems (SAP, Workday)
• Industrial Relations                • Training & Development
• Diversity & Inclusion               • Change Management

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

HR Business Partner
DEF Corporation, Melbourne, VIC
March 2021 – Present

• Partner with business unit leaders to develop and execute people 
  strategies for division of 450 employees
• Reduced time-to-hire by 30% through implementation of structured 
  recruitment process and candidate experience improvements
• Led diversity and inclusion initiative that increased gender 
  diversity in leadership roles from 25% to 40%
• Managed complex employee relations matters, reducing formal 
  grievances by 45% through proactive conflict resolution
• Coordinated with payroll and finance on workforce planning, 
  resulting in 15% improvement in budget accuracy

HR Coordinator
GHI Services Pty Ltd, Melbourne, VIC
January 2018 – February 2021

• Coordinated end-to-end recruitment for high-volume hiring periods, 
  processing 200+ applications monthly
• Administered onboarding program for all new starters, achieving 
  95% satisfaction rating in first-week surveys
• Maintained HRIS system accuracy for 300+ employees
• Supported HR Manager in workplace investigations and documentation
• Processed payroll queries and liaised with payroll provider on 
  system issues

HR Administrator
JKL Retail Group, Sydney, NSW
June 2016 – December 2017

• Provided administrative support to HR team of 5 professionals
• Managed employment documentation including contracts and variations
• Coordinated training logistics and maintained training records
• Assisted with WHS compliance and return-to-work coordination

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management)
Monash University, 2015

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• AHRI Certified Practitioner (CPHR), 2022
• Mental Health First Aid Certification, 2023
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, TAFE Victoria, 2020
• Workplace Investigation Training, 2021

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI), Certified Member
• Victorian HR Professionals Network

REFEREES

Available upon request

Cultural Considerations for Australian Applications

Work-Life Balance

Australian culture values work-life balance. Demonstrating dedication is important, but avoid language that suggests workaholism or inability to maintain boundaries.

Egalitarianism

Australian workplaces tend to be less hierarchical than some other countries. Avoid overly formal or deferential language—be confident and direct while remaining professional.

”Tall Poppy Syndrome”

Australians can be uncomfortable with excessive self-promotion. Present achievements confidently but avoid language that seems boastful. Let numbers and results speak for themselves rather than using superlatives.

Too much: “I am the best marketing professional with unparalleled expertise…” Better: “Delivered marketing campaigns that exceeded targets by 25%…”

Humility and Authenticity

Genuine, straightforward communication is valued. Avoid jargon-heavy language or buzzword overload—be clear and authentic in how you present yourself.

Mateship and Teamwork

Collaboration is highly valued in Australian workplaces. Highlight teamwork and interpersonal skills alongside individual achievements.

Industry-Specific Considerations

Mining and Resources

Emphasise safety certifications and compliance
Include site-specific experience
Highlight FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out) experience if relevant
Note remote work capability

Healthcare

Include AHPRA registration details
List relevant clinical certifications
Note experience with Australian healthcare systems
Include Medicare/PBS experience if relevant

Finance and Banking

Include ASIC registration if applicable
Note compliance certifications
Highlight experience with Australian regulations
Include RG146 compliance if relevant

Education

Include teacher registration (state-specific)
Note Working with Children Check status
Include experience with Australian curriculum
Highlight relevant teaching methodologies

Construction and Trades

Include relevant licenses (white card, trade certificates)
Note specific tool and equipment experience
Include safety certifications
Highlight experience with Australian building codes

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using American Conventions

Don’t use “resume” that’s one page when Australian employers expect more
Avoid “objective statements” at the start (professional summaries are preferred)
Use Australian English spelling and date formats (day/month/year)

Including Unnecessary Personal Information

Australian anti-discrimination law means you shouldn’t include:

Age or date of birth
Marital status
Children
Religion
Nationality (unless visa status is relevant)
Photo

Ignoring Local Terminology

Learn Australian business terms:

“CV” or “resume” (both acceptable)
“Holiday” not “vacation”
“Mobile” not “cell phone”
“Postcode” not “zip code”
State abbreviations: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT

Failing to Address Visa Status

If you’re not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, address your work rights clearly:

“Australian citizen” or “Permanent resident”
“Valid working holiday visa (subclass 417)”
“Full working rights in Australia”

Employers need to understand your eligibility to work legally.

Not Localising Qualifications

If you have international qualifications:

Include Australian equivalency assessments where available
Explain the qualification level if it might be unfamiliar
Note any required recognition or registration completed

Applying from Overseas

If you’re applying to Australian jobs from another country:

Address Location Proactively

Either in your cover letter or resume summary, address your location:

“Relocating to Melbourne in [month/year]”
“Currently based in [country], with confirmed visa and planned relocation to Australia”
“Available for immediate relocation to Australia”

Consider Time Zone Differences

Note your availability for Australian business hours interviews.

Research the Market

Understand Australian salary expectations, which may differ from your current location. Use resources like Seek, Indeed Australia, and industry surveys.

Leverage Online Tools

Professional resume builders like 0portfolio.com offer formats that can be easily adapted for Australian conventions, ensuring your resume meets local expectations regardless of where you’re applying from.

Final Australian Resume Checklist

Before submitting your Australian resume, verify:

✅ Length: 2-3 pages for experienced professionals ✅ Paper size: A4 format ✅ Spelling: Australian English throughout ✅ Personal details: No age, photo, or discriminatory information ✅ Contact: Australian mobile format or international format ✅ Visa status: Work rights clearly stated if not Australian citizen ✅ Qualifications: Australian equivalency noted for overseas credentials ✅ Achievements: Quantified with Australian context ✅ Referees: Included or noted as available ✅ Tone: Confident but not boastful ✅ Format: Clean, consistent, professional

Conclusion

Success in the Australian job market requires understanding local expectations and cultural nuances. Australian employers value straightforward communication, demonstrated achievements, and authentic professional presentation.

Take time to adapt your resume for Australian conventions rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. Address practical matters like visa status and qualifications recognition proactively. Most importantly, present yourself confidently while respecting Australian cultural preferences for genuine, down-to-earth communication.

With a well-crafted Australian resume, you’ll be ready to pursue opportunities in Australia’s diverse and dynamic job market. Professional tools like 0portfolio.com can help you create polished materials that meet Australian standards while showcasing your unique qualifications and experience.

Good luck with your Australian job search!

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