Help with your resume
Preparing your resume to work in Australia is the first step to getting a job. As in any other country, Aussies have their own format and follow their own guidelines when putting together a CV and selecting the ideal candidate for any job position. It seems obvious, but many times we forget... It's not just enough to translate it, there's much more to it!
That’s why it’s important to know what your «100% Aussie resume» should look like and what basic sections it should include, so you can tailor it and create the perfect document that no manager or recruiter will be able to resist. We’re going to share all the tips you need to create it, as well as the steps you should follow to find a job. Let’s go, mates! 
Check off each point as you get it ready.
Step by step
How to make your Aussie CV
1. Personal information
Personal data
At the top of the CV, only your contact information. Nothing else.
- First and last name
- Address in Australia
- Australian mobile number
Do not include photograph, date of birth, marital status, or nationality. In Australia, these are omitted due to anti-discrimination regulations, and including them gives away that your CV is not tailored to the country.
2. Key strengths
Skills and abilities
Four or five lines, no more, and chosen based on the position you are applying for. Some that work well:
- Approachable, helpful, adaptable and polite
- Strong and physically fit
- Honest, calm and a good listener
- Quick and efficient, hard worker
- Able to work as part of a team
3. Availability
Availability
One line. In hospitality and retail it's one of the first things the manager looks at, so be specific:
- Monday to Friday — weekday availability
- Weekends — weekend availability
- Fully flexible — full availability, including night shifts
4. Employment history
Work experience
In reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. Prioritize items related to the position you are seeking. The format of each entry:
Dates – Company – City (Country)
- Position held
- Specific tasks and achievements
Example
10/2024 to 06/2025 – Hotel Premia de Mar – Barcelona (Spain)
Position: Cleaner
Duties: Making beds, tidying rooms, cleaning and polishing toilets, taps, sinks, bathtubs and mirrors, washing floors, removing stains, vacuuming, mopping and polishing floors.
5. Education and training
Educational background
Your most relevant degrees, including duration, institution, and degree obtained. Also add the course you are taking in Australia and your English level.
This is where Australian certificates go. Many jobs won't look at them until you have them, so if you don't have them yet, get them before handing out resumes:
RSA
Responsible Service of Alcohol. For serving alcohol in bars and pubs.
White Card
Required for working in construction.
Blue Card
To work with minors. The name and process vary by state.
RCG / RSG
For casinos and betting shops.
Food Safety
Food handling. Highly sought after in kitchens and cafes.
Barista
In Australia, coffee is a serious matter. It opens many doors.
6. References
References
Former bosses or coworkers who can speak highly of you. In Australia, they actually call them "references," so let those people know in advance.
Company – City (Country)
Person's Name – Cell Phone and Email
If you don't have any references in English, enter References are available upon request and prepare them separately.
Let's get to work
Let's go find it!
The Resume Supplement
Cover Letter
Cover Letter
Cold-calling your way through the city is still the most effective approach for unskilled jobs: walk in, ask for the manager, and hand over your resume. But combine this with job boards. These are the ones that are actually being used in Australia today.
Don't sign up for ten sites. Pick two or three, turn on email alerts, and apply within the first 24–48 hours after the job posting goes live. That's what makes the difference.
The Must-Haves
Seek
Australia's leading job site, with more than 90,000 active listings. Your first stop, every time.
Indeed
Massive volume and quick application. The alerts arrive faster than on almost any other.
Jora
From the Seek group. It aggregates job listings from across the web and specializes in casual and part-time positions, as well as regional areas.
Essential for qualified profiles. Here you don't just apply: you write directly to the hiring manager.
For Your First Job
Gumtree
Casual jobs, rooms, and second-hand items. Very useful, but watch out for scams: never pay for a job.
Backpacker Job Board
Designed for Working Holiday programs. Hospitality, farms, and seasonal work.
Sidekicker
One-time shifts at events, in the hospitality industry, and in warehouses. Ideal for starting to earn money right away.
Barcats
Specializing in the hospitality industry. Bars, cafes, and restaurants throughout Australia.
Specialized
Workforce Australia
The official Australian Government portal. Previously known as JobSearch.
CareerOne
Skilled labor and public administration positions.
ConX
Construction and trades. You will need the White Card.
Airtasker
Odd jobs: moving, assembly, cleaning. ABN required.
Watch out for offers that ask you for money upfront, or that pay below the minimum wage. In Australia, there are legal minimums by award, and no offer can bypass them. If something doesn't seem right to you, consult us before accepting.
The cover letter It accompanies the CV and is practically mandatory for qualified positions. Its function is not to repeat the resume, but to explain in a few lines why you fit that specific position.
A generic cover letter is obvious at first glance and does more harm than good. Half a page, tailored to each job offer, or better yet, don't send one.
Structure
Your data
Name, Australian address, Australian mobile number and email.
Recipient information
Company, position you are applying for, and, if you know it, the manager's name. Look it up on LinkedIn: addressing a specific person makes a big difference.
Purpose
What position are you applying for and where did you see the job offer? One or two sentences.
Your skills for that position
Take two or three requirements from the offer itself and answer each one. Use its exact words.
Your relevant experience
A specific example, with results if you can. Don't repeat the whole CV: choose what fits best.
Closing and thanks
Show availability for an interview and say goodbye with Best regards and your name.
Three mistakes that throw it in the trash
- Copy and paste the same one for all of them. It is detected in five seconds.
- Turn the page. Medium enough. Three or four paragraphs.
- Talk about what you want. The letter is about what you bring to the table, not what you are looking for.
Would you like us to take a look at it before sending it? Write to us and we'll review it for you with no obligation. It's part of the support we provide to all our students.
