Australian résumé format

1. Use familiar Australian résumé sections

Workforce Australia recommends personal details, skills, work experience, education, qualifications and relevant licences. Put your name, phone and professional email on the first page. Add a short professional summary only when it gives the target reader useful context.

TheJobSort recommendation: use A4 paper and Australian English throughout, including spelling such as “organisation” and “licence” where appropriate.

2. Keep the layout easy to scan

Workforce Australia says a completed résumé should be about two pages, while recognizing that experience can make it shorter or longer. Use one readable column, consistent headings and restrained spacing. Follow a stated employer limit when it differs.

3. Tailor to the advertisement

Official Australian guidance recommends studying the job advertisement, researching the business and using relevant words from the advertisement across the application. Start with your verified experience, then use the employer's term only when it accurately describes your work.

Selection criteria may require fuller examples than a normal résumé bullet. Use situation, task, action and result notes to prepare those responses separately.

4. Handle referees carefully

Some Australian templates include referees, but requirements vary. Ask permission before sharing another person's details. When the advertisement does not request referees, you can keep the details on a separate private list until the employer asks.

5. Run the local quality check

• Confirm Australian spelling and date style are consistent.
• Check all facts, licences and qualifications.
• Save in a common format such as DOCX or PDF.
• Use a clear filename with your name and target role.