Australian resume examples that get interviews

Australian resumes reward a direct, understated tone and a specific set of local conventions that trip up candidates coming from the US or UK market. Here is what actually moves the needle.

Referees: include them, or say you will

Unlike the US or UK, where referee details are withheld until later in the process, Australian employers commonly expect either two referees listed directly on the resume or, at minimum, the line "Referees available on request." Leaving this out entirely can read as an oversight rather than discretion.

Before and after: toning down US-style self-promotion

The facts are identical — the difference is letting the result carry the weight instead of the adjectives.

• Before (too US-styled): "Spearheaded a market-dominating initiative that revolutionized regional sales performance."
• After (Australian tone): "Led a regional sales initiative that grew revenue 18% over two quarters, working closely with a five-person team."

Key selection criteria, if you are applying to government roles

Australian public-sector and many larger organizational postings require a separate response addressing each listed selection criterion, typically using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Treat this as a second, focused document — it is evaluated alongside, not instead of, your resume.