Australian Resume and Cover Letter Guide 2026 | Template, Job Search and Interview Tips
The short version: an Australian resume usually has no photo, no date of birth and no marital status. It generally runs to about two pages, describes your experience as achievements with numbers, and is rewritten for each job, with a one-page cover letter on top. On pay, the National Minimum Wage published by the Fair Work Ombudsman has been $26.44 an hour since 1 July 2026 (at least $33.05 for casuals), which gives you a floor when you compare job offers.
Many international students and working holiday makers translate the CV they used at home and send it out unchanged. In much of Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa a CV opens with a photo, age, nationality and civil status, so the habit is understandable, but Australian employers read it as a document written for a different market. This guide draws on Australian Government sources (Study Australia, Fair Work, Home Affairs, the ATO and Scamwatch) and university careers centres.
It covers how to write an Australian resume, a fill-in template, cover letters and selection criteria, where to look for jobs, interview questions and the STAR method, plus what to organise before your first shift. Information current as at 2026-11-13.
Contents
- 1. How an Australian resume differs from a CV back home
- 2. Resume structure and length
- 3. Fill-in resume template and useful action verbs
- 4. Cover letters and selection criteria
- 5. Where to look for jobs in Australia
- 6. Interview questions and the STAR method
- 7. Before you start: TFN, bank, super, licences and visa work conditions
- 8. Your workplace rights and how to spot a job scam
- Frequently asked questions
1. How an Australian resume differs from a CV back home
The University of Sydney Careers Centre says there is no need to add a date of birth, photo or nationality. The University of Queensland’s career development team likewise says a date of birth, age and photo are not required on a resume, noting that current HR and recruiting practice does not ask for them.
The background is Australian workplace law. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that prospective employees, not only current staff, are protected from adverse action (such as a refusal to hire) because of attributes including age, sex, marital status, race, religion and pregnancy. Details that should play no part in a hiring decision do not need to be on the page. Note that leaving out a photo or date of birth is general advice from careers centres and a hiring convention, not a legal rule for applicants.
| Item | Common elsewhere | Australian convention |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | Passport-style photo | Usually none |
| Personal details | Age, civil status, ID number, nationality | Name, phone, email; street address optional |
| Introduction | Long personal statement or none | Career summary of 2–3 sentences |
| Work history | List of duties | Bullet points showing results, with numbers |
| Referees | Often left out | 2–3 referees, or “available on request” |
| Visa | Not relevant | Visa type, expiry and any work restrictions |
The last row is specific to people on a visa. Study Australia advises international students to state their visa type, its expiry and any work restrictions so an employer can see they are allowed to work, and to add the days and hours they are available when applying for part-time roles.
2. Resume structure and length
Templates vary slightly between universities, but the order is usually:
- Contact details: your name as the heading (no need for the word “Resume”), an Australian mobile number and a professional email address. A LinkedIn URL is optional.
- Career summary or objective: two or three sentences on who you are, what you offer and the role you want.
- Key skills: matched to the wording of the job ad. Larger employers may use software to scan for key words before a person reads your application.
- Work experience: most recent first, with job title, organisation, location and dates, then bullet points on responsibilities and achievements, quantified where you can. With no paid experience, use internships, volunteering, academic projects and student club roles.
- Education: most recent first, with the full institution name, course and completion date.
- Licences and other details: RSA, White Card, first aid, driver licence, languages, where relevant to the role.
- Referees: a former supervisor, manager or lecturer who can comment on your work, with name, job title, organisation and contact details. Always ask permission first. The example resume from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) advises against using family members.
How long should it be?
| Source | Suggested length |
|---|---|
| DEWR example resume | No more than 2 pages where possible |
| University of Sydney Careers Centre | 1–3 pages for most industries |
| University of Western Australia (as an employer) | Concise, preferably 2–4 pages |
For hospitality, retail and warehouse jobs, one to two pages is plenty; graduate and professional roles can run to two or three. The University of Sydney notes a recruiter may scan a resume in as little as 10 seconds, so put your most relevant and recent information first, keep the layout clean and ask someone to proofread it.
3. Fill-in resume template and useful action verbs
The template below is written for a café or hospitality role. The name, businesses, phone number and figures are fictional examples. Replace them with your own true details and never invent experience.
| Section | Example wording |
|---|---|
| Name and contact | ALEX SAMPLE Brisbane QLD 4000 | 0400 000 000 | alex.sample@example.com |
| Work rights | Student visa (subclass 500), valid to MM/YYYY. Available Mon, Wed and weekends. (Working holiday makers: Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) or Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462), valid to MM/YYYY.) |
| Career summary | Customer-focused hospitality worker with 2 years of café experience in Bogotá. Reliable with early shifts, quick to learn new menus, fluent in Spanish and English. Seeking a casual barista or all-rounder role. |
| Key skills | Espresso and milk-based coffee · POS and cash handling · Food safety · Teamwork during busy service · Spanish and English |
| Work experience | Barista, Sample Café, Bogotá, Colombia | 03/2024 – 08/2026 • Served 150+ customers per shift during peak hours • Trained 4 new team members in coffee standards and opening procedures • Reduced milk waste by around 10% by introducing a daily stock checklist |
| Education | Bachelor of Business Administration, Sample University, Colombia | 2020 – 2024 |
| Licences | RSA certificate (2026) · Barista short course (2026) |
| Referees | Ms Jane Sample, Manager, Sample Café | jane.sample@example.com or “Referees available on request” |
Action verbs and sentence patterns
Careers centres recommend opening each bullet with an active verb such as organised, achieved or developed. The pattern is verb + what you did + result or number.
- Achieved a 4.8/5 average customer rating over six months.
- Coordinated weekly rosters for a team of 8.
- Improved order accuracy by double-checking dockets before service.
- Managed the cash float and end-of-day reconciliation.
- Resolved customer complaints calmly and escalated when needed.
- Trained new staff in food safety procedures.
- Cover letter opening: “I am writing to apply for the [job title] position advertised on [site].”
- Availability: “I am available to start immediately and can work weekends and public holidays.”
4. Cover letters and selection criteria
A cover letter does not repeat your resume. The resume summarises what you offer; the letter introduces your application, explains why you want this job and links your experience to what the employer asked for. The University of Sydney Careers Centre recommends keeping it to one A4 page and focusing on what you can contribute.
- Header and greeting: your contact details, then the recipient’s name and job title. Use “Dear Sir or Madam” or “Dear Hiring Manager” only when you cannot find a name.
- Opening paragraph: the job title or reference number, and where you saw it.
- Middle paragraphs: pick the two or three requirements the ad stresses most and give a short example for each, plus why this organisation appeals to you.
- Closing: say you would welcome an interview, give your availability and thank the reader.
Tailor every letter rather than sending one generic version, and keep it consistent with your resume.
What are selection criteria?
Selection criteria are the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge an employer will assess you against, usually split into essential and desirable. Government departments, universities and not-for-profits often ask for a separate “statement of claims” that uses each criterion as a heading. Large employers running graduate programs tend to turn the criteria into questions in an online form. One or two lines will rarely be enough: give evidence, structured with the STAR method described below. Casual jobs seldom ask for this document, but always read the application instructions for public sector and university roles.
5. Where to look for jobs in Australia
| Channel | What it offers | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Seek | Listed by Study Australia among its job sites; full-time, part-time and casual roles | Set alerts by location and key word |
| Indeed, Jora, Adzuna | General job sites; Adzuna is also on Study Australia’s list | The same job can appear twice; check the employer’s details |
| Professional roles and networking | Keep your profile consistent with your resume | |
| Workforce Australia | The Australian Government’s job search site | Filter by location and occupation |
| University career hub | Campus jobs, internships, resume checks, mock interviews | Ask your provider what is included; students often overlook it |
| GradAustralia and similar | Graduate programs and internships | Watch each employer’s application dates |
| Gumtree, social media groups | Classified ads and community posts, common for hospitality, cleaning and farm work | Verify who is advertising; watch for pay below the legal minimum and the scam signs in section 8 |
Study Australia also suggests using your provider’s careers service, campus noticeboards, alumni groups and personal networks, and telling people you are looking. In hospitality and retail, some job seekers still hand a printed resume to the manager in person. For seasonal roles, see our Christmas casual jobs guide, and for everyday workplace language, our Aussie slang guide.
6. Interview questions and the STAR method
Formats range from phone or video screening to the informal chat favoured by cafés and small shops, panel interviews with two to five interviewers, and group interviews with several candidates. Even when it feels like a friendly conversation, you are being assessed.
Expect motivation questions (why this job, what you know about the business), questions about your skills, and behavioural questions. These often begin with “Tell me about a time when…”, “Describe a situation where…” or “Give an example of…” and call for a real example. Structure your answer with STAR:
| Step | What to cover |
|---|---|
| Situation | Where, when and the context |
| Task | What you were responsible for or had to solve |
| Action | What you did and how (the University of Sydney suggests about 80% of the answer) |
| Result | The outcome, ideally with a number or feedback |
Before the interview, list the selection criteria, prepare one example for each and practise aloud with a friend. Hospitality employers often ask for a trial shift. According to Fair Work, an unpaid trial is only for demonstrating the skills the job needs, for no longer than necessary and under direct supervision; any time beyond that should be paid at the appropriate minimum rate.
7. Before you start: TFN, bank, super, licences and visa work conditions
- Tax file number (TFN): the ATO says people in Australia holding a visa with work rights can apply online, the application is free, and the TFN should arrive within 28 days.
- Australian bank account: wages are paid into the account you nominate.
- Super fund: for eligible employees, the employer pays superannuation on top of wages. The ATO lists the compulsory rate for 2026–27 as 12%.
- Licences for the role: in New South Wales, for example, RSA training is mandatory to sell, serve or supply alcohol, and people who hold an RSA certificate from another state and move permanently to NSW need a bridging course; child-related work requires a Working with Children Check. Construction work generally calls for the induction training commonly called a White Card. Rules and names differ between states and territories, so check the regulator where you will work.
- Your visa work conditions: see below.
Visa work conditions: check your own in VEVO
Conditions differ from person to person. The points below are general information from the Department of Home Affairs website; this article does not assess whether any individual visa allows work.
- Student visa (subclass 500): no work before the course starts; up to 48 hours a fortnight while the course is in session; unlimited hours when it is not in session. Different rules apply to students in a master’s by research or doctoral degree.
- Working Holiday (417) and Work and Holiday (462) visas: generally up to 6 months with one employer. No permission is needed to stay longer when you work in different locations for no more than 6 months in each, in plant and animal cultivation anywhere in Australia, or in certain industries in northern Australia; otherwise you must request permission from Home Affairs. Related reading: our 462 visa ballot update and second-year 417 guide.
- Graduate and other visas: the conditions on your own visa apply.
VEVO, the Home Affairs online service, shows the type, expiry date and conditions of your current visa, and employers use it to confirm work rights. Where anything is unclear, rely on VEVO and the Home Affairs website.
8. Your workplace rights and how to spot a job scam
Minimum wage and basic entitlements
| Item | Current rule |
|---|---|
| National Minimum Wage | $26.44 per hour; $1,004.90 per 38-hour week (before tax) |
| Casual employees | 25% casual loading on top, so at least $33.05 per hour |
| Effective | First full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 |
| Pay slips | Within 1 working day of pay day |
| Superannuation | 12% compulsory employer rate (2026–27) |
Sources: Fair Work Ombudsman and Australian Taxation Office, accessed 2026-11-13
The National Minimum Wage applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Most industries have an award whose rates may be higher, so check yours with Fair Work’s Pay Calculator. Home Affairs states that under Australian workplace laws all workers have the same basic rights and protections regardless of citizenship or visa situation, and a contract cannot take them away.
Warning signs of a job scam
Scamwatch, run by the National Anti-Scam Centre, tells job seekers to stop and check any offer that requires paying money to make money. Warning signs include:
- A recruiter contacts you out of the blue by text, WhatsApp or Telegram.
- High income for little effort, working from home.
- A very fast hiring process with no interview and no questions about your experience or references.
- Requests to top up an account, buy cryptocurrency, or pay a “recruitment fee” or for training materials first.
- Work that involves transferring money, buying goods or receiving parcels for someone else, which can make you a money mule.
Scamwatch adds that an ad on a trusted platform is not proof that it is real, that passports and identity documents should never be sent unless you are certain the employer is genuine, and that you should be careful about putting your home address or date of birth on a resume. That fits neatly with the Australian convention of leaving them off. Report suspicious ads on the platform and to Scamwatch.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: Should I put a photo on my Australian resume?
Generally, no. The University of Sydney Careers Centre says there is no need to add a date of birth, photo or nationality, and the University of Queensland says a photo, date of birth and age are not required. Use the space for skills and achievements.
Q2: How long should an Australian resume be?
There is no single rule. The DEWR example resume suggests no more than 2 pages, while the University of Sydney suggests 1–3 pages for most industries. One to two pages is usually enough for casual and entry-level jobs.
Q3: What can I write when I have no Australian work experience?
Include jobs from your home country, internships, volunteering, academic projects and student club roles, and show the skills you used and the results. Study Australia also suggests using the cover letter to add context to your background and explain why you suit the role.
Q4: Should I mention my visa on my resume?
Study Australia advises international students to state their visa type, its expiry and any work restrictions so the employer knows they can work legally. Check your current conditions in VEVO first and describe them accurately.
Q5: What is the minimum wage in Australia right now?
According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, from 1 July 2026 the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per 38-hour week, and casual employees receive at least $33.05 per hour including the 25% loading. Award rates may differ, so use Fair Work’s Pay Calculator.
Q6: An employer wants me to pay for training or a deposit before I start. Is that normal?
Treat it as a red flag. Scamwatch lists having to pay a recruitment fee or for training materials before you begin as a warning sign of a job scam, and warns against up-front payments by bank transfer, PayID or cryptocurrency because the money is rarely recovered.
Planning to study in Australia? Level Up Studies offers free study and course counselling:
- Melbourne Head Office: +61 3 8590 3229 | contactus@levelupstudies.com | 1/105 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
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Further reading
- Christmas casual jobs in Australia: pay, holidays and visas
- Aussie slang guide for international students
- Australia 462 visa ballot 2026–27
- Second-year Working Holiday visa guide
Sources
- Study Australia – The international student’s guide to writing a great resume, accessed 2026-11-13
- Study Australia – Finding work while you study, accessed 2026-11-13
- Study Australia – Preparing for work, accessed 2026-11-13
- The University of Sydney Careers Centre – How to write a resume, accessed 2026-11-13
- The University of Sydney Careers Centre – How to write a cover letter, accessed 2026-11-13
- The University of Sydney Careers Centre – Addressing selection criteria, accessed 2026-11-13
- The University of Sydney Careers Centre – Interview tips, accessed 2026-11-13
- The University of Queensland – SEED Careers Resume Tips (PDF), accessed 2026-11-13
- The University of Western Australia – Resume, accessed 2026-11-13
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations – Résumé tips and example résumé (PDF), accessed 2026-11-13
- Fair Work Ombudsman – Protection from discrimination at work, accessed 2026-11-13
- Fair Work Ombudsman – Minimum wages fact sheet, accessed 2026-11-13
- Fair Work Ombudsman – Minimum wage increase starts today (1 July 2026), accessed 2026-11-13
- Fair Work Ombudsman – Unpaid trials, accessed 2026-11-13
- Fair Work Ombudsman – Pay slips, accessed 2026-11-13
- Australian Taxation Office – Super guarantee rates, accessed 2026-11-13
- Australian Taxation Office – TFN application for foreign passport holders, permanent migrants and temporary visitors, accessed 2026-11-13
- Department of Home Affairs – Student visa (subclass 500), accessed 2026-11-13
- Department of Home Affairs – Working Holiday Maker program: 6 month work limitation, accessed 2026-11-13
- Department of Home Affairs – Check visa details and conditions (VEVO), accessed 2026-11-13
- Department of Home Affairs – Workers rights and visa reporting protections, accessed 2026-11-13
- Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre) – Jobs and employment scams, accessed 2026-11-13
- Workforce Australia – Find a job, accessed 2026-11-13
- Liquor & Gaming NSW – NSW Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) bridging course, accessed 2026-11-13
- Service NSW – Apply for a Working with Children Check, accessed 2026-11-13
Disclaimer: 1. This article is general information only and does not constitute migration or legal advice. 2. We have a qualified education agent counsellor (QEAC #2822) who can help with study planning, but visa decisions rest with the Australian Government. 3. Figures and rules reflect the official pages accessed on 2026-11-13. 4. Course details, fees, start dates, and migration policies are subject to change. Please check the latest announcements from the school and the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
For personalised study or migration planning, please contact our professional advisory team.
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