An Australia CV template helps you organise your qualifications, skills and experience for Australian job applications. For general employment, a focused resume usually includes contact details, a professional summary, key skills, employment history and education.
“CV” and “resume” are often used interchangeably in job adverts. Academic and research positions may require a more detailed CV covering publications, teaching and research achievements.
Use the editable sample below or create your CV for free, then tailor it to the vacancy.
The article continues below.
What Should an Australian Resume Include?
| Section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Contact details | Name, phone number, professional email and city. |
| Professional summary | Relevant experience, strengths and the type of work you offer. |
| Key skills | Skills and tools that match the position. |
| Employment history | Job titles, employers, dates and relevant achievements. |
| Education | Qualifications, institutions and completion dates. |
| Additional information | Relevant licences, certifications, projects or languages. |
Follow the employer’s instructions where they specify a format, length or additional documents.
Australia CV Template
Copy this Australian resume sample and replace the placeholders. Remove sections that do not apply.
[Your Full Name]
[City, State or Country]
[Phone Number With Country Code] | [Professional Email]
[LinkedIn or Portfolio URL — optional]
Professional Summary
[Job title or professional background] with [number] years of experience in [relevant field]. Skilled in [two or three relevant skills], with experience supporting [business activity or team]. Seeking to contribute [relevant capability] in a [target role] position.
Key Skills
- [Relevant technical or practical skill]
- [Relevant software or equipment]
- [Relevant industry knowledge]
- [Communication or teamwork skill supported by experience]
- [Relevant organisational skill]
Employment History
[Job Title] — [Employer Name]
[City, Country] | [Month Year]–[Present or Month Year]
- Managed [responsibility] using [method or tool].
- Completed [relevant task], supporting [specific outcome].
- Worked with [team or stakeholders] to resolve [problem].
- Achieved [verified result], measured through [reliable evidence].
[Previous Job Title] — [Employer Name]
[City, Country] | [Month Year]–[Month Year]
- Performed [relevant responsibility].
- Improved or supported [process or service].
- Used [relevant tool] to complete [task].
Education
[Qualification] — [Institution Name]
[Country] | [Completion Year]
Certifications and Licences
- [Certification or Licence] — [Issuing Organisation], [Year]
- [Relevant Training] — [Provider], [Year]
Projects or Volunteer Experience
[Project or Role] — [Organisation or Independent Project]
- Completed [relevant activity].
- Demonstrated [skill] through [specific contribution].
How to Write a Resume for Australian Jobs
1. Tailor It to the Vacancy
Read the job description and identify the required skills, qualifications and responsibilities.
Prioritise matching experience. Use terms from the advert where they accurately describe your abilities, without repeating keywords unnecessarily.
2. Write a Specific Professional Summary
Explain your relevant background and what you can contribute. Avoid vague statements such as “hardworking individual looking for any available job.”
Example:
Administrative assistant with three years of experience coordinating appointments, preparing documents and maintaining office records. Skilled in Microsoft Office and professional correspondence, with experience supporting customer enquiries and daily administration.
3. List Employment From Most Recent to Oldest
For each role, include your job title, employer, location and dates. Use short bullet points to show relevant responsibilities and achievements.
For example:
Coordinated appointment bookings through a shared calendar and notified staff of schedule changes.
Where reliable figures are available, include them. Do not invent percentages, sales totals or performance results.
4. Present Qualifications Accurately
Write the full qualification name and institution. For overseas qualifications, include the country where helpful.
Do not describe a qualification as equivalent to an Australian credential unless that equivalence has been established. State any relevant Australian registration or licence accurately.
5. Use Clear Formatting
Use standard headings, readable text and consistent dates. Avoid complicated graphics or skill-rating charts that make your experience difficult to assess.
Save the document in the format requested by the employer. Check that the exported file opens correctly and that links work.
Australian Resume With No Experience
If you have limited employment history, place education, skills and relevant projects near the top.
You can use evidence from:
- Academic projects.
- Internships or placements.
- Volunteering.
- Part-time employment.
- Relevant personal projects.
Entry-Level Summary Example
Recent business graduate with experience preparing presentations, analysing spreadsheet data and completing team projects. Seeking an entry-level administrative role where organisation, accuracy and clear communication are required.
Project Example
Business Research Project — [Institution Name]
- Gathered information from published sources to investigate a business question.
- Organised findings in Excel and checked records for consistency.
- Prepared a report and presented recommendations to the project group.
Describe your own contribution and label projects separately from employment.
What Personal Details Should You Include?
Keep your resume focused on information relevant to the application.
| Detail | How to handle it |
|---|---|
| Name, email and phone | Include clear, current contact details. |
| Location | Your city and state or country are generally sufficient. |
| Photograph | Usually unnecessary for general job applications. |
| Date of birth | Usually unnecessary. |
| Marital status or religion | Usually unnecessary. |
| Passport or identity numbers | Leave them off the resume. |
| Work rights | State accurately if requested or relevant to the vacancy. |
If you are applying from overseas, use your actual location. Include relocation plans only when they are accurate.
Should You Mention Australian Work Rights?
If the employer asks about work rights, give a clear and truthful response in the application.
Do not write “unrestricted work rights” unless that accurately describes your situation. If you require employer sponsorship, answer sponsorship questions honestly.
A resume does not establish visa eligibility or permission to work.
Common Australia CV Mistakes
- Sending a generic resume to every employer.
- Including unnecessary personal information.
- Using an Australian address where you do not live.
- Claiming unconfirmed qualification equivalence.
- Listing licences or registrations you do not hold.
- Including long paragraphs with few relevant examples.
- Leaving incorrect dates or broken portfolio links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a CV the same as a resume in Australia?
The terms are often used interchangeably for general employment. Academic and research CVs are usually more detailed. Follow the requirements in the job advert.
How long should an Australian resume be?
There is no single compulsory length. One or two pages may suit an early-career applicant, while experienced applicants may need more space. Follow any stated limit and keep the content relevant.
Should I include a photo?
A photo is usually unnecessary for general Australian job applications. Follow any legitimate role-specific instructions.
Should I include referees?
Include referee details if requested and obtain their permission first. Otherwise, you can provide them later when the employer asks.
Can I use this template when applying from Nigeria?
Yes. Include your actual location, international phone code and accurate qualifications. Check the employer’s requirements for overseas applicants and work rights separately.
Can I use Europass for Australian jobs?
Use the format requested by the employer. If no format is specified, a clear, tailored resume such as this sample is a practical starting point.
Create Your Australia CV
Choose your strongest relevant experience, check your qualification details and tailor the sample to the role.
Create your CV for free and prepare a clear resume for your Australian job applications.