How to Write a Resume and Cover Letter in Australia

You don't need fancy design or clever wording to write a strong application. What matters most is that your resume is easy to read and clearly matches the role, and that your cover letter quickly shows why you're a good fit. Below is a straightforward approach that works for most Australian job seekers, whatever your experience level.

Resume or CV? What Australia uses

In Australia, most employers say "resume", and that is the term used for the one-to-three-page document you send with a job application. "CV" (curriculum vitae) tends to be reserved for academic, research or medical roles, where a longer, more detailed history is expected. For an everyday job application, write a resume.

What to include in an Australian resume

A reliable structure, from top to bottom, is:

• Contact details — your name, phone, a professional email, and your suburb and state (you don't need your full street address).
• A short summary or objective — two to four lines on who you are and what you're looking for.
• Key skills — a quick, scannable list that mirrors the job ad.
• Work experience — most recent first, written as achievements rather than a list of duties.
• Education — qualifications, where and when.
• Licences and certifications — such as a White Card, RSA, Working with Children Check, First Aid or a driver's licence. This section matters in Australia and is easy to overlook.
• Referees — usually "Referees available on request", with the details kept on a separate reference list.

You don't have to write this from scratch. Each free resume template already lays out these sections in the right order for your experience level.

What to leave off

This is one of the clearest differences between Australian resumes and those from some other countries. In Australia it is standard not to include a photo, your date of birth or age, your gender, marital status or nationality. These details aren't needed to assess you for a role, and leaving them off keeps the focus on your skills and experience. A resume that opens with a headshot and personal details can look out of step with local norms.

Resume tips by experience level

The same sections apply at every stage — what changes is the order and emphasis. Pick the template that matches where you're at:

• Entry-level (no experience) — lead with education, and draw on volunteering, school placements and casual work.
• Graduate — pair your degree with internships and casual roles.
• Experienced / mid-career — lead with your work history and results.
• Professional / senior — show scope, leadership and measurable outcomes.
• Career change — lead with transferable skills and frame past roles around the new field.

What makes a good cover letter

A cover letter is a short, friendly note — usually three paragraphs on a single page — that tells the employer which role you want and why you're a good fit. A simple structure works well:

• Opening — name the role and a one-line reason you're applying.
• Middle — connect one or two of your strengths to what the job needs, with a brief example.
• Close — thank the reader, mention your resume is attached, and offer to come in for an interview.

Address it to a named person if you can find one; otherwise "Dear Hiring Manager" is fine. Keep it genuine rather than formal for the sake of it, and don't simply repeat your resume in sentences. Our free cover letter templates give you a ready-made structure to adapt.

Cover letter tips by experience level

As with resumes, the right emphasis depends on your stage:

• Entry-level — keep it short and honest; lean on reliability and willingness to learn.
• Graduate — connect your study and internships to the role.
• Experienced — lead with a result or two that show your value.
• Professional — show leadership and scope, briefly.
• Career change — use the opening to explain your move in a sentence, then focus on transferable skills.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending the same application to everyone. Tailor your summary and key skills to each ad — even small changes help.
• Listing duties instead of achievements. "Reduced wait times by reworking the roster" says more than "responsible for rostering".
• Typos and inconsistent formatting. Read it aloud, and keep dates, fonts and spacing consistent.
• A cover letter that repeats the resume. Use it to make the connection clear, not to restate everything.
• Using American spelling. Use Australian spelling (organise, specialise, centre) for local roles.
• Going too long. One to two pages for most resumes; one page for a cover letter.

Once your resume and cover letter are ready, the next step is sending them well. Our Short Job Application Message Generator helps with the message you send alongside them, and the follow-up guide covers what to do if you don't hear back.