How to Write a Resume Australia 2026

Writing a strong Australian resume in 2026 requires understanding local conventions that differ from US or UK standards. In Australia, the document is called a “resume” (not a CV), and recruiters typically spend just 7–10 seconds scanning it before deciding whether to read further. This guide explains exactly what Australian employers expect.

Australian Resume vs CV: What’s the Difference?

In Australia, “resume” and “CV” are often used interchangeably, but there are distinctions:

Resume: 2–3 pages, tailored for a specific role, focuses on recent experience
CV (Curriculum Vitae): Longer, comprehensive career document — used mainly in academia, medicine, and research
Selection Criteria document: A separate document addressing specific criteria listed in government job ads — required for most public sector roles

For most private sector jobs in 2026, you need a tailored 2-page resume and a brief cover letter.

Australian Resume Format and Structure

Standard Australian resume sections (in order):

Personal Details — Name, phone, professional email, LinkedIn profile, suburb and state (no need for full address, photo, age, or marital status)
Professional Summary — 3–4 sentences summarising your experience and what you offer
Key Skills — 6–10 relevant skills as bullet points
Work Experience — Most recent role first (reverse chronological), include company name, your title, dates, and 3–5 achievement bullets per role
Education — Degrees, qualifications, and certifications (with institution, year completed)
Professional Development — Optional: courses, workshops, industry memberships
Referees — “Available upon request” (don’t list referees until asked)

Writing Achievement-Focused Bullet Points

Australian recruiters want to see impact, not just duties. Use the PAR formula:

Problem you faced or Project you worked on
Action you took
Result you achieved (quantify whenever possible)

Weak: “Responsible for managing social media accounts” Strong: “Grew company Instagram following by 340% in 12 months, increasing website traffic by 28% and generating $45,000 in attributable sales”

How Long Should an Australian Resume Be?

Graduate/entry level: 1–2 pages
Mid-career (3–10 years): 2 pages
Senior/executive: 2–3 pages

Do not pad your resume with irrelevant experience to make it longer. Recruiters prefer concise, relevant content over volume.

Australian Resume Formatting Tips

Font: Arial, Calibri, or Garamond, size 10–12pt for body text
Margins: 1.5–2.5cm on all sides
File format: PDF to preserve formatting (unless the application specifies Word)
File name: “FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf” (professional and easy for recruiters to file)
Headers: Use clear section headers — bold and slightly larger than body text
Colour: Subtle use of one accent colour is fine for most industries; keep it conservative for law, finance, and government

Cover Letters in Australia

A cover letter is expected for most professional roles in Australia. Keep it to one page (3–4 paragraphs):

Opening: Which role you’re applying for and one compelling hook
Why you’re suitable: Link your top 2–3 achievements to the job requirements
Why this company: Show you’ve researched them
Closing: Confident call to action — “I look forward to discussing my application at your convenience”

Address the letter to a named person where possible. “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable but “Dear Ms Chen” shows extra effort.

What Australian Employers Must NOT Ask (and You Don’t Need to Include)

Australian law prohibits discrimination on the basis of:

Age, date of birth
Gender, marital status, family situation
Religion, ethnic or cultural background
Disability or medical conditions
Sexual orientation

Do not include your photo, age, nationality, or religion on an Australian resume.

Knowing how to write a resume in Australia in 2026 is the first step to landing a role in one of the best paying jobs Australia 2026 or exploring highest paying trade jobs Australia 2026. Once employed, check how to improve your credit score in Australia to strengthen your financial position alongside your career.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I include a photo on my Australian resume?

A: No. Unlike Europe and parts of Asia, Australian resumes do not include photos. Adding a photo can actually disadvantage you as employers try to avoid any perception of bias.

Q: How far back should my work history go on an Australian resume?

A: 10 years is generally sufficient for most roles. Focus on the most relevant experience. Older roles can be listed briefly or omitted if they don’t add value.

Q: Do I need a cover letter for every job application in Australia?

A: Yes, unless the posting explicitly says no cover letter. Even a brief, tailored cover letter increases your interview chance significantly.

Q: What font should I use for an Australian resume?

A: Arial, Calibri, Garamond, or Georgia — all professional and easy to read. Avoid Comic Sans, decorative fonts, or anything smaller than 10pt.

Q: Should I include my LinkedIn profile on my resume?

A: Yes. Include your customised LinkedIn URL. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and matches your resume before applying.

Q: What is a selection criteria response in Australia?

A: Government jobs require a selection criteria document addressing each listed criterion with specific examples. Each response uses the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and is typically 200–400 words per criterion.

Q: Should I list hobbies on my Australian resume?

A: Only if they’re relevant to the role or genuinely impressive (e.g., competitive sport demonstrating teamwork, charity work showing leadership). Generic hobbies waste valuable space.

Q: How should I handle employment gaps on my Australian resume?

A: Be honest and brief. List the dates accurately. If you were studying, caregiving, travelling, or dealing with health issues, a one-line note is fine. Prepare to discuss it naturally in an interview.