Australian CV Format: How to Write a CV for Australia + Examples

The main difference between Australian and UK CVs is that an Australian CV is typically longer than a UK CV. But there are also other things to keep in mind. This article will guide you in writing your Australian CV. From CV format advice to examples, we'll give you the best chance of success in your job search for the land down under.

Key differences between an Australian CV and UK CV

Let's start by looking briefly at some of the key differences between Australian and UK CVs, to give you an idea of how to start creating an Australian job application that makes a positive impact:

To avoid any confusion when creating your CV for Australia job applications, use Jobseeker's CV builder. Jobseeker provides CV templates for Australia that contain all the necessary sections, presented in a clear, professional way that will perform well with employers in the country. You can also use AI suggestions to improve your CV's content, making it more suitable for your target Australian job application.

Australian CV Format

The preferred format for Australian CVs is a traditional, reverse-chronological layout. The ideal Australian CV structure closely follows UK CV norms, but is different enough to warrant a bespoke, tailored approach rather than simply adapting an existing UK CV. Take a look at the guidance below to understand the key formatting considerations of an Australian CV.

Structure

Like most UK job applications, a traditional, reverse-chronological CV structure works best for Australia. Australian employers will be most interested in your work experience, as an indication of your likely future performance, and the traditional CV structure emphasises this element strongly.

Layout

A simple, single-column CV layout works best for Australian CVs, with a clear header containing your contact details and bullet points rather than full paragraphs (apart from in your career summary/profile).

Length

Australian CVs are similar to those in the UK, though employers are happy to receive longer documents than in many other countries. Aim to make your CV between three and five pages long and include plenty of detail about your work history and achievements.

Fonts

Choose a clear, professional font for your Australian CV, that makes it readable and easy for ATS to scan. Australian working culture is less formal than the UK, so avoid over-traditional serif fonts like Times New Roman. Modern sans serif fonts like Calibri, Lato and Open Sans work well, while Georgia is a strong pick for a more formal, serif option.

ATS rules

Opt for a clean, simple, single-column design and use clear, standardised CV headings to give your CV the best chance of successfully passing the ATS screening stage. While ATS for CV screening is more prominent in the UK than Australia, many larger firms will use it.

Photos

Like the UK, Australian employers generally prefer you to omit a personal photo from your CV. Don't include a photo unless it's specifically requested, or the role clearly requires one (such as acting or modelling roles).

Tone and clarity

Australian employers will probably be more happy for you to talk up your achievements in a confident, clear and direct manner than UK recruiters, where the employment culture tends to be more professional and reserved.

Australian CV examples

Now you know how to customise your approach to your CV for the Australian jobs market, see how it all comes together in the examples below. These CV examples use the best practice guidance for Australia CVs in two popular jobs (nurse and software developer). It's worth noting that both examples offer a condensed version of an Australian CV, to present the best practice on a single page, rather than extending to three pages or more, like a full CV for Australia.

Nurse CV example

This nurse CV example shows a UK-based nurse looking to relocate to Australia. The CV showcases relevant nurse experience, qualifications and certifications to enable the candidate to practise in Australia. The CV follows a traditional, reverse-chronological CV format and matches the Australian tone of voice, with clear, confident examples of the candidate's relevant experience and achievements.

Software developer CV example

This software developer CV example shows a combination of relevant UK and Australian work experience. The emphasis is on showcasing work experience in Australia, while the CV also highlights the candidate's visa status, education and professional certifications. Like the nurse example before, the tone of the CV is confident and clear regarding the skills and achievements of the candidate in their career to date.

How to make a CV for a job in Australia

Below you will find a step-by-step guide to creating a CV for Australia jobs. Follow the structure below when writing your CV for job applications in Australia, and remember to include plenty of detail throughout.

Step 1: Add a header

In your header, add your name, address or location and your email address and phone number. You may want to include a link to a portfolio or LinkedIn profile if you have one. Avoid adding any personal demographic information such as your age or gender, as this can introduce unintended biases to the recruitment process. In Australia, it’s not necessary to include a photo unless the job advert asks for one.

You might also want to include your visa status, and if you're still UK-based, but relocating to Australia, a brief explanation of this with your address/location. For example, you could state “Liverpool (relocating to Melbourne)”. Australian employers are legally required to verify that candidates have the right to work in the country, so adding this information removes any potential barriers.

Step 2: Write your professional summary

Like in the UK, it’s advisable to include a career profile or objective at the start of your CV. Write two to three sentences introducing yourself and explaining your career goals and objectives. This will help employers to understand why you’re applying for the position, and your ambitions for the future. For Australian applications, you can strike a warmer, more human tone for this section, differing from the UK's more formal, professional tone.

Step 3: Show your work experience (reverse chronological)

In a traditional CV, arguably the most important section is your work experience. According to research from Jobseeker, 83% of HR professionals go straight to this section when reviewing a CV. For an Australian CV, present your employment history in reverse-chronological order, starting your current or most recent role. For each role, add your job title, the company name, its location and the dates you worked there. For each job, add a bullet list of your duties and achievements, relating each point to the job description to show why you’re a suitable candidate.

Australian CVs provide more scope for showcasing achievements in a confident, unrestrained manner. While UK CVs tend to be more reserved and understated in tone, for Australia jobs, you shouldn't be worried about appearing boastful or arrogant.

Step 4: Add education

After your work experience, list your educational achievements in reverse-chronological order. For professional roles or more senior positions, you probably only need to mention further education qualifications, such as degrees or diplomas. Add the name of the course, the institution and your dates of study or graduation. You may also want to briefly mention any distinctions, awards or society memberships for each entry.

Step 5: Add skills (hard & soft)

Next, list your skills to give the employer an idea of what specific abilities and qualities you can bring to the role. Stick to relevant skills only, consulting the job description to get an idea of what the employer is looking for. Include any hard, technical skills specific to the role that make you a strong candidate.

While it’s important to list your hard skills on your CV, Australian employers may also wish to see you demonstrate your soft skills. Hiring managers tend to look for signs of emotional intelligence, as these traits can help you settle into a role and get along better with your colleagues.

Step 6: Add certifications & professional development

If you have any professional qualifications, certifications or relevant training, it’s useful to mention it on your CV. These qualifications carry significant weight in Australia, especially for highly regulated industries such as healthcare, construction and financial services. List any certifications or licences, along with their expiry dates.

Step 7: Add any volunteer experience

One section Australian employers appreciate is volunteer work. Community involvement is highly regarded in Australian workplace culture, indicating your character, social responsibility, and involvement in activities beyond professional life.

Mention any volunteering that shows your key skills or has helped you develop relevant experience. Including volunteer work also gives you the chance to mention your passions and gives the hiring manager an impression of your priorities.

Step 8: Add any references

In Australia, some employers might expect you to provide references on your CV. This is a far more common practice in Australia than it is in the UK.

Check the job advert to see if you need to include their contact details. Otherwise, a simple note saying “references are available upon request” will suffice. Either way, when applying for jobs in Australia, it’s a good idea to have your referees organised before you send your application.

Dos and Don’ts for Australian CVs

Here are some additional tips to help you perfect your CV for the Australian jobs market:

Key Takeaways for success with your Australian CV

Australian CVs share many similarities with CVs from the UK. There are, however, some key variations in the structure and content of the document, and paying attention to these can make the difference between employers considering you for a role or not. Remember these key points from this article, to boost your chances of success in your Australian job applications:

• Submit a detailed CV running to multiple pages (3+, depending on your experience level).
• Adopt a traditional, reverse-chronological CV format.
• Use simple, professional CV and cover letter templates to give you the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
• Write in clear, confident language that doesn't shy away from promoting your career achievements.

On top of those key points, confirm your visa status to show you're eligible to work in Australia, and showcase any previous Australian work experience. You should also produce a key selection criteria document, confirming your skills and credentials for the role, and set your references up in advance so you can include them if necessary.

A well-designed CV can catch the eye of employers and make a big difference in your chances of success. Jobseeker can provide tools and resources to equip you to create a winning application. These include a wealth of CV and cover letter examples to inspire you, as well as templates to help you build your ideal CV. Sign up today to create your winning CV for Australian job applications.