In Australia, "resume" and "CV" are used interchangeably. Australian resumes are often slightly longer than US resumes and commonly include referees. Public-sector jobs may also require responses to selection criteria.
Australian CV at a glance
| Element | Australian expectation |
|---|---|
| Length | 2–3 pages |
| Photo and personal details | Not included |
| Career objective / summary | Common at the top |
| Referees | Often listed (two or three) on the final page |
| Work rights | State citizenship or visa type |
| Spelling | Australian English (organise, colour) |
Government jobs and selection criteria
Australian Public Service and state government roles often ask for a "pitch" or responses to key selection criteria. Each criterion should be answered with a specific example, usually structured with the STAR method.
Read our interview preparation guide to learn the STAR method.
Visa and work rights
Work rights: Australian Citizen
Work rights: Permanent Resident
Work rights: Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) valid until 2028
Many employers screen on work rights early, so a clear line in your header or summary saves time.
Example Australian resume outline
CHLOE NGUYEN — Registered Nurse
Brisbane QLD · 0400 000 000 · chloe.nguyen@email.com · AHPRA registered · Australian Citizen
CAREER OBJECTIVE
Registered nurse with 5 years' experience in emergency and acute medical wards, seeking a clinical nurse role in a metropolitan hospital.
KEY SKILLS
Triage · Patient assessment · Medication management · Electronic medical records · Team leadership
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department — Metro North Health | 2021 – Present
REFEREES
Available on request
Put this into practice
Build an ATS-friendly CV with live preview and free PDF download.
How to answer key selection criteria
Selection criteria are the skills and qualities a public-sector employer uses to assess candidates. Each response is usually half a page to a page, depending on the instructions.
- 1Restate the criterion in your opening sentence.
- 2Give a specific example using the STAR structure (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
- 3Quantify the result and connect it back to the role you are applying for.
- 4Respect word or page limits — exceeding them can count against you.
In my role as project officer at a regional council, I coordinated a community consultation on a new park design involving 4 resident groups and 2 local businesses. I ran three workshops, produced plain-English summaries, and adjusted the design to reflect key concerns. Community approval of the final design reached 82%, and the project was delivered on schedule.
Licences and tickets employers look for
- Construction: General construction induction (White Card).
- Hospitality: Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and, in some states, Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG).
- Working with children: state-based Working With Children Check for education, childcare and some health roles.
- Transport and warehousing: forklift licence (LF) and relevant driver licence class.
- Healthcare: AHPRA registration for registered health practitioners.
Australian CV tips
- Include your licences and tickets (e.g. driver's licence class, White Card for construction, RSA for hospitality) where relevant.
- List referees with their title, company, phone and email — and ask permission first. See our references guide.
- Use plain, direct language — Australian employers value straightforward communication.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include referees on an Australian CV?+
It is common practice. Include two or three, or write "Referees available on request" if you prefer to share them later.
Is a cover letter needed in Australia?+
Yes, most applications expect one, and government roles may ask for a statement or pitch instead.
Should I list my visa type?+
Yes. Australian employers often screen on work rights, and stating your visa or citizenship status saves time.
Is a photo needed on an Australian resume?+
No. Photos are not expected for most roles.
BuildCVFast Editorial Team
This guide is written and reviewed by the BuildCVFast editorial team using current hiring practices, published employer guidance and official government sources where relevant. We update our guides regularly. Read our editorial policy or send us a correction.