Free Resume Builder Australia

An Australian resume (also called a CV) follows different conventions to resumes in the United States or United Kingdom. Getting the format right is the first step to making it past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and into the hands of a hiring manager.

Australian resumes typically do not include a photo, date of birth, marital status, or nationality. These are considered unnecessary and can introduce unconscious bias. Instead, focus on your contact details (name, email, phone, city and state), a concise professional summary, your work history in reverse chronological order, education, and a skills section tailored to the role you are applying for.

Keep your resume to two to three pages. Graduate roles may need only one page, while senior professionals with extensive experience may extend to three. Use clear section headings, consistent formatting, and bullet points for achievements rather than lengthy paragraphs. Quantify your impact wherever possible — "Increased quarterly revenue by 22%" is more compelling than "Responsible for revenue growth."

For ATS compatibility, avoid tables, text boxes, headers and footers, and unusual fonts. Use standard section headings like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills." Many Australian employers use ATS software to filter applications before a human ever reads them, so matching keywords from the job description is essential.

If you are writing cover letters or refining your wording, keep paragraphs concise and use action verbs throughout. Focus on achievements rather than duties, and quantify results wherever possible — for example, "increased sales by 25%" is far stronger than "responsible for sales."

Referees in Australia are typically listed as "Available upon request" unless the job advertisement specifically asks for them. Always notify your referees before listing them, and choose people who can speak to your relevant skills and work ethic.