Australian Resume CV Samples Examples
Browse 118 Australian-format resume and CV samples, from registered nurses and electricians to APS officers and executives. Learn the Australian format, what to leave off, how ATS works and download text-based PDF versions.
Australian Resume Format: the Quick Answer
Looking for an Australian resume example you can model your own on? This page brings together Australian resume samples and CV examples for nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, truck drivers, chefs, software engineers, civil engineers, data analysts, early childhood teachers, aged care and disability support workers, and more, plus 15 resume and CV templates for graduates, career changers, executives, academics and APS applicants.
Do
- Keep to about 2 pages for most roles.
- Lead with a 3–4 line career summary tailored to the job ad.
- List work history in reverse order with dates, employer and location (suburb, state).
- Show results: numbers, sizes, budgets, volumes, safety records.
- Put licences and tickets where employers can see them.
- Use Australian spelling (organisation, licence, specialise).
Don’t
- Add a photo, date of birth, age, marital status or religion.
- Include bank or tax details.
- Use tables, text boxes or graphics for key content if you apply through an online portal.
- Send a generic resume for every job.
- Leave unexplained gaps; add a short note instead.
- List referees you have not asked first.
How to Structure an Australian Resume (Step by Step)
- Header. Full name, mobile, professional email, suburb and state. Add LinkedIn or a portfolio link if relevant. Repeat name and phone on every page.
- Career summary. Three to four lines: your title, years of experience, strongest skills and what you want next.
- Key skills. 8–12 skills that mirror the job ad, so both ATS software and recruiters see the match.
- Work history. Reverse chronological. Each role: job title, employer, suburb and state, dates (month and year), then 3–6 achievement bullets.
- Licences, registrations and tickets. AHPRA, trade licences, White Card, RSA, WWCC, NDIS Worker Screening, driver licence class.
- Education and training. Qualification, institution and year. Recent graduates can put education first.
- Referees. Two referees with name, position and contact details, or “Available on request”.
Dates: use a consistent format such as March 2024 or Mar 2024; the Australian Government Style Manual uses the “day month year” order without commas for full dates.
What to Include and What to Leave Off an Australian Resume
| Item | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | Leave off | Australian university careers services advise against photos. |
| Date of birth / age | Leave off | Not needed unless a lawful, relevant reason is stated in the application; age is a protected attribute under workplace protections. |
| Marital status, gender, religion, ethnicity | Leave off | Not needed for the job; marital status, sex, religion and race are among attributes covered by workplace discrimination protections. |
| Bank or tax details | Never include | Not needed in an application and a privacy risk. |
| Work rights | Include one line if relevant | For example: “Australian citizen”, “Permanent resident” or visa type and expiry, a short line helps employers screen quickly. |
| Referees | List two, or “Available on request” | DEWR advises listing at least two referees who agreed; some sources accept “on request”. |
| Hobbies | Optional, one line | Only if relevant to the role or culture. |
These are common recommendations, not legal rules for every employer. Fair Work and the Australian Human Rights Commission explain that people applying for jobs are protected from discrimination; employers’ recruitment practices and state laws vary.
Resume vs CV in Australia: What’s the Difference?
In Australia “resume” and “CV” are often used interchangeably. Practically:
Resume (2 pages)
The standard for most private-sector jobs, trades, healthcare, hospitality, IT and graduate roles. Short, targeted and achievement-focused.
CV (longer)
Used for academic, research and some clinical or senior roles, listing publications, grants, teaching and presentations. APS CVs are often two to six pages.
See the academic, medical and executive CV formats below for longer layouts.
Australian Licences, Tickets and Checks to List on Your Resume
Employers screen for compliance early. Put these in a “Licences & Registrations” section and include current status, and the state or territory where relevant.
| Credential | Used in | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| White Card (General Construction Induction) | Construction, trades, civil | Required to carry out construction work; may become void if you do not carry out construction work for two consecutive years or more; NSW accepts cards issued in other states and territories. |
| RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) | Hospitality, retail, events | Required for people who sell, serve or supply alcohol in NSW; rules are set by each state and territory. |
| NDIS Worker Screening Check | Disability support, NDIS providers | A national check recognised in every state and territory; valid for up to 5 years from issue. |
| Working With Children Check (WWCC) | Education, child care, youth, care | Issued by each state or territory; checks are not yet mutually recognised across jurisdictions. |
| AHPRA registration | Nurses, doctors, physios, OTs and other health professions | Practitioners using protected titles must be registered with the relevant National Board; employers check the public register. |
| Driver licence class (C, LR, MR, HR, HC, MC) | Drivers, couriers, logistics | Show class, endorsements (e.g. dangerous goods) and any heavy vehicle experience. |
Always write your real credential numbers only where an employer asks. The samples use clearly fictional details. Check your state or territory regulator for the current rules.
ATS-Friendly Resume Tips for Australian Employers
Many employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) that scans for keywords related to the job description. It may struggle with complicated formats, tables, columns, graphics or unusual fonts.
- Use standard headings: Career Summary, Key Skills, Work Experience, Education, Licences.
- Mirror important keywords from the advertisement, honestly.
- Submit the format requested in the ad; if none is given, SEEK suggests a PDF, though a PDF does not guarantee ATS compatibility.
- Use a single-column layout and common fonts for online applications; use designed layouts when emailing a recruiter directly.
- JPG images cannot be read by an ATS. Use the JPG samples on this page for layout ideas and the text-based PDFs (15 formats below) as your online application file.
15 Australian Resume and CV Formats You Can Download as PDFs
Each format has a different structure and design: chronological, functional, hybrid, graduate, academic, medical, executive, APS government, trades, IT, teacher, hospitality, creative, contractor and career change. Click an image to view it full size, or download the text-based PDF.
Functional Skills-Based Resume Sample – Australia
Customer Service & Administration · 1 page
Academic Research CV Sample – Australia
Postdoctoral Research Fellow · 3 pages
Hospitality & Retail Casual Resume Sample – Australia
Barista & Retail Assistant · 1 page
Australian Resume Samples by Industry (3–4 Years’ Experience)
Each resume below is a one-page Australian-format design for a candidate with 3 to 4 years of experience. Every design is different, so you can compare layouts and wording. Click any image to open the full-size JPG.
Healthcare & Allied Health Resume Samples Australia
Nursing and allied-health resumes should lead with AHPRA registration, clinical specialty, ward or setting, and compliance such as immunisations and police checks. Doctors usually use a longer clinical CV (see the medical CV format above).
Registered Nurse Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Physiotherapist Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Occupational Therapist Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
General Practitioner Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Education, Care & Community Resume Samples Australia
Care and education roles are screened heavily. Show your Working With Children Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check, First Aid, CPR and relevant Certificate III or Diploma qualifications clearly.
Aged Care Worker Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Disability Support Worker Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Care Worker Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Early Childhood Teacher Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Home Care Worker Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Child Care Educator Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
OSHC Educator Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Family Day Care Educator Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Trades & Construction Resume Samples Australia
Trade resumes in Australia put licences and tickets near the top: state electrical, plumbing or gasfitting licences, White Card, working-at-heights and any equipment tickets, followed by project experience and apprenticeship history.
Electrician Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Plumber Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Mechanic Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Machinist Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Metal Fitter Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Carpenter Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Bricklayer Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Motor Mechanic Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Metal Fabricator Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Wall and Floor Tiler Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Maintenance Fitter Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Construction Manager Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Transport, Logistics & Warehousing Resume Samples Australia
Employers want licence class (C, LR, MR, HR, HC, MC), endorsements, forklift or dogging tickets, safety record and equipment experience. Keep roster, site and freight types specific.
Warehouse Operator Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Supply Chain Coordinator Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Truck Driver Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Delivery Driver Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Warehouse Pick Packer Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Commercial Driver Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Bus Driver Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Coach Driver Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Locomotive Driver Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Engineering, IT & Data Resume Samples Australia
Technical resumes pair a short skills matrix with quantified project outcomes. Engineers list Engineers Australia membership and registration where relevant, and IT roles list stack, scale and certifications.
Civil Engineer Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Software Developer Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Data Analyst Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Software Engineer Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Enterprise Architect Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Digital Marketing Specialist Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Digital Experience Specialist Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Digital Transformation Specialist Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Hospitality & Food Services Resume Samples Australia
Chef and cook resumes should name the kitchen type, covers per service, cuisines, food safety supervisor certificate and team size, with kitchens and venues listed in date order.
Chef Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Pastry Chef Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
Cook Resume Samples & Examples – Australia
APS and Government Resume Tips (Selection Criteria and STAR)
Australian Public Service applications usually need a CV plus a pitch or responses to selection criteria. Selection criteria describe the personal qualities, skills, abilities, knowledge and qualifications needed for the job.
- Use STAR. Situation, Task, Action, Result is one way to present evidence against selection criteria.
- Respect limits. If a word or page limit is set, stick to it; pitches may be limited to one or two pages or 1,000 words.
- Address the level. The APS Work Level Standards describe APS Levels 1 to 6 and Executive Levels 1 and 2.
- Referees. Provide contact details and flag anyone who should not be contacted until you are in contention.
See the APS Government Resume format above for a two-page example, and our government resume samples for more public-sector layouts.
Popular Australian Resume and CV Searches
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Resume Samples for Other Countries
Resume rules change from country to country. If you are applying outside Australia, or comparing formats, use our country guides:
Australian Resume and CV FAQ
How long should an Australian resume be?
Most sources recommend about two pages. Graduates may use two to three pages, and CVs for academic, research and APS roles are often longer.
Should I put a photo on my Australian resume?
No. Australian university careers services advise leaving photos off.
Do I include my date of birth, age or marital status?
Generally no. They are not needed unless an application specifically asks for lawful, relevant information, and age and marital status are protected attributes in workplace discrimination law.
Should I write referees or “available on request”?
The Australian Government’s DEWR guide suggests listing at least two referees who have agreed; the Veterans’ Employment site says “available on request” can protect privacy. Follow the instructions in the job ad.
Is a resume the same as a CV in Australia?
Often yes. A CV is usually longer and used for academic, research, medical or government roles.
Which file format is best, PDF or Word?
Use the format requested in the ad. If none is given, SEEK suggests a PDF. JCU notes that PDFs do not guarantee ATS compatibility, so keep the layout simple.
Are the JPG samples ATS-friendly?
The designs use standard headings and clear sections, but a JPG is an image and ATS software cannot read it. Use the text-based PDFs in the 15-format section as your upload file.
Are the people and details in the samples real?
No. All names, employers, schools, phone numbers and registration numbers are fictional examples. Replace them with real, accurate information.
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