government resume examples australia

How to Write Your Resume For Government Job Applications

Written by Nicole Wren

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Understanding how to write your resume for government job applications including APS resume writing and resumes for state and local government roles is key to securing that government role.

Along with your selection criteria, pitch or detailed cover letter , your resume is key to you being selected by the panel to move forward in the application process.

Government resumes are different from regular resumes, and they require a specific format and style.

Our expert government resume writers have extensive experience crafting resumes that meet Australian resume standards and the requirements of the Australian Public Service (APS) and other government agencies. Here are their tips on how to ensure adherence to requirements.

Government resumes can vary depending on the level of government and specific agency or department.

The Australian Public Service (APS) has specific guidelines for resumes that are different from those of state and local governments.

State and local governments may have different requirements and preferences for resumes, such as a shorter length or a different format.

It is important to research the specific requirements of the agency or department you are applying to and tailor your resume accordingly.

Working with a government resume writer who is familiar with the requirements of different levels of government can be helpful in creating a resume that meets the specific needs of the agency or department.

Writing your resume for government job applications in the APS requires knowledge of their specific requirements.

It is important to follow these guidelines when developing your APS resume. Remember, your selection criteria or claims need to align with your resume. This means you need to ensure that details about your employment are clearly articulated.

For example, in your selection criteria, you might write: “In my role as an Executive Assistant, I led a…” You must therefore clearly document the details of your Executive Assistant employment in your resume.

Ensure job titles are consistent and include the dates you worked there. There is no need to repeat information in your resume that you have already explained in your resume, so consider carefully what you include in each.

Be sure to use an ATS-compliant government resume template.

Here is a template to download and use. Note, this resume template can be used as an APS resume template, as well as for other government departments.

Government Resume Template

How are government resumes different.

Government resumes should usually be between two and six pages. Check the application guide, though – as sometimes a panel may request a specific length.

It is vital that you follow the instructions provided when writing your resume for government job applications!

Generally, government resumes are plainer and ‘less showy’ than resumes in other industries.

Government panels tend to prefer resumes using plain, consistent font (e.g., Arial size 10-11), in black and white. Do not include any photos or graphics.

How Do I Write a Resume for Australian Government Jobs?

Your Australian government resume should include sections including Personal Details, Education, Employment Experience, Volunteer Experience and Referees. You should use a plain font and template.

Personal Details

Include your name, phone number, email address and LinkedIn profile (if you have one). Include a summary job title e.g., Administration Professional or Customer Service Professional (make sure these fits with both your career history and the role you are applying for).

Detail all relevant qualifications and education. Consider leaving off anything irrelevant to the role, or very outdated.

Employment Experience and Achievements

Include details of your employment history in chronological order. Make sure you explain any gaps in employment.

Mention your achievements or accomplishments especially when they are relevant to the role you are applying for. For example, if you are going for an administrative role that requires payroll processing, make sure you tailor your resume experience to highlight that relevant experience.

You should go through each job and make sure it reflects (as much as possible) the skills needed for the job you are applying for.

If you have experience working in government roles, make sure you put your employment levels in each role. For example, if you were an APS3, write that in your resume. If you have acted in higher roles, you should definitely include the details.

Volunteer or Other Experience

Include any relevant volunteer or other experience. For example, if you are applying for an administrative role and you are the treasurer of a local sports club, this is relevant information that the panel will want to know.

Include two referees. Include their names, positions, organisations, and contact details. Remember to ask your referees if they are willing to talk to your performance before you list them.

What should you leave off your government resume?

• Your date of birth, marital status, or gender.
• Irrelevant details about why you left previous roles
• Irrelevant hobbies and interests
• A photo of yourself

Here’s an example of how to set out your resume:

EVELYN EXAMPLE Senior Administration Professional PH:0400 000 000 | E:[email protected] A: 41 Example Street, Example LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/Evelyn-Example

PROFILE & KEY SKILLS

Outstanding communication skills: As Senior Administrative Officer, led team’s adaption of Machinery of Government Changes, communicating changes verbally and writing, ensuring the changes were implemented with minimal disruption.

Attention to detail: As an Executive Assistant, successfully managed regular complex travel itineraries for a senior executive, involving coordinating flights, hotels, ground transportation, and other logistics for a multi-leg trip with multiple destinations.

Consistently adheres to policies and procedures: As an Executive Assistant, implemented a new data privacy policy to ensure compliance with new regulations. Reviewed and communicated it effectively to all relevant stakeholders, and ensured all employees were trained on the new policy.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

November 2016 – Current Executive Assistant | The Department of ABC Key Achievements:

• Successfully ensured safety compliance on a project with high numbers of non-English (Mandarin) speaking employees, initiated translation of all SWMS into Mandarin and facilitated training with the use of on-site interpreter.
• Achievement 2 etc.
• Provide administrative support to a senior executive.
• Duty 2 etc.

November 2014 – October 2016

JOB TITLE | Organisation

Key Achievements:

• Achievement 1.

November 2010 – October 2014 JOB TITLE | Organisation Key Achievements:

Diploma in Quality Auditing | XYZ Training | 2019

VOLUNTEER/ OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Treasurer for Example Golf Club (2019 – Current), overseeing the club’s budget, managing income and expenses, and ensuring that the club’s financial records are accurate and up-to-date.

Sally Jones | Administration Manager | ABC Organisation | Email | Phone

Name | Job Title | Organisation | Email address | Phone number

Do you need more government resume help?

Our team are experts in government resume writing, including APS resume writing. We can help write your resume for government job applications to create a resume that is easy to read and navigate, and that highlights your skills and experience in a way that is relevant to the job.

Contact us for more information.

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Public Service Resume Template

Applying for the Australian Public Service (APS) can be quite overwhelming. There’s a lot that need to be taken into account, especially when preparing your resume or CV. This in on top of perfecting your pitch .

The very finest details would either impede or progress your application, give you an advantage over other applicants, or rule you out from the competition completely. 

To get you started, we have provided a free public sector resume template. 

Click below to download our editable, ATS Friendly, DIY Australian resume template in MS Word format.

Important: On the next page, make sure to enter a valid email address as this is where we’ll send you the download link.

About this resume layout:

• Simple format that works for anyone applying for Federal, State or Local-level public sector roles 
• Simple line diving content and a good mix of colours to create a professional aesthetic 
• Captures most of your key information on Page 1 so the selection panel would immediately see your relevant skills, achievements and qualifications and match these with your selection criteria/pitch 
• Just note: This template is DIY, which means we don’t offer support in terms of formatting your resume or creating your content. For a full-service public sector resume, check out Pricing and Services here.  

Once you’ve crafted your winning resume, you may send it to us to receive a free,  confidential, and objective assessment.

Are you still having difficulties preparing your public sector resume? 

Get in touch to find out how we can help. 

At Rev-Up Your Resume, we carefully match our clients’ experience and skills with the role requirements and Integrated Leadership System (ILS) framework. As one of the leading professional resume writers, we have assisted thousands of clients applying for State Governments (ACT Government, NSW Government, QLD Government, SA Government, VIC Government), Government Department and Agencies (Home Affairs, AFP, ATO, ACIC, Austrade, DFAT, Defence, PM&C, DSS) and local Government and Councils.  

Visit: www.rev-upyourresume.com.au for more info or connect with us through LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook .

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How to write a resume and cover letter

A resume is a written record of your education, skills and experience. It provides a summary of your work history, training and knowledge.

A CV (curriculum vitae) is similar but tends to be longer and more detailed. Although both terms are often used in Australia, we will refer to resumes here.

As well as your resume, you will need a cover letter to accompany your job application. It should be short and specific, highlighting your skills and experience in relation to the position you are applying for.

Your resume and cover letter is your first chance to convince an employer that you are the right person for the job.

Before you begin writing your resume, think about your work history and note your achievements and skills.

The layout of your resume should be neat, simple and easy to read. Aim for 1–3 pages, depending on how long you have been in the workforce. Employers often have to read multiple job applications so use headings and dot points to make your resume easy to read.

Employers will be looking for your:

• contact details
• career strengths
• employment history
• education and training achievements

Read more about how to write an effective resume .

If you need help with formatting, resume templates are provided with some word processors (e.g. Microsoft Word) and are available online.

Go online to find templates, cover letters, resume examples and advice about how to apply for jobs (e.g. myfuture ).

Cover letters

Your cover letter is an important component of your application and should:

• introduce you to the employer
• identify the position you are applying for
• convey your enthusiasm for the position
• highlight the stand-out qualities that make you a great candidate
• inspire the reader to continue reading your application (cover letters are not a summary of your resume).

You only need to write a 1 page cover letter and address it directly to the employer or contact person for the job.

All cover letters should be tailored to suit that particular job.

Learn more about writing good cover letters .

Selection criteria

Some jobs (especially government jobs) will ask you to meet particular requirements or selection criteria. Selection criteria may also be known as core or key capabilities.

Your responses should demonstrate, with relevant examples, that you have the required experience, skills and abilities to do the job. Be succinct and use dot points where appropriate.

Read more about how to write selection criteria .

Government Resumes

Government resumes: an overview.

Your resume is a vital document in your government job application . But, a resume for a government job is a little different to a resume you would submit for a job in the private (non-government) sector, and it has a slightly different purpose.

The aim of a resume is is to provide a reference for your claims against the selection criteria. This is your resume's primary purpose.

For example, if you talk about your employment with Company X in your statements against the selection criteria, the selection panel will use your resume to find out when you were employed at Company X, for how long, and what your actual role was. These two documents combined will win you an interview so that you have the opportunity to impress the employer in person.

Because this document is used in conjunction with your statements addressing the selection criteria, it needs to compliment your selection criteria so that these two documents together can build up a strong case for why you should get an interview. It doesn't need to contain lengthy descriptions of positions or tasks, or outline achievements in the same detail that a non-government resume would.

Government Resume Format

There are a few government resume formats , but the most common format looks like:

• Personal details
• Summary / key qualifications
• Employment history (including role responsibilities and key achievements)
• Education / courses
• Referee details

It needs to be succinct and tailored not only to the job you are applying for, but also to the selection criteria.

When selection panels also have to plough through cover letters and lengthy statements addressing selection criteria , any conflicts in information or areas that don't make sense across all three of these documents will lead to confusion. As a government job applicant, confusion is your enemy! The easier you make your application to understand and the more prominent your key strengths and claims for the position are, the better your application will fare.

To do this, you should repeat key points in from your selection criteria within your resume (for example, in the role responsibilities or key achievements section) and use the language and keywords from the job description within your resume (the same way you would within your selection criteria statements).

Government Resume Templates

Templates can be a great way to ensure you are covering the information that should be included in your resume. Our government resume templates also include a cover letter template and selection criteria template to make sure your entire government job application is consistent in look and feel.

Download them here.

The Difference Between a Resume and a CV

A resume is a basic explanation of your employment history, core skills, major achievements and any educational qualifications.

A CV (or curriculum vitae) is a more in depth explanation that covers your employment history in more depth, will delve into core skills and major achievements, and also outlines published works, research projects, grants, speaking engagements, and more detailed information about your educational history.  CVs are traditionally used when applying for positions in research / scientific organisations or academic settings. 

Unless you are applying for a research, scientific or academic position, you are better off using a basic resume for your government job application.

Top 5 Government Resume Tips

Edit your resume every time you apply for a new job. Even better, you should re-write it entirely. This includes tailoring your, knowledge, skills, abilities and achievements for the kind of position you are applying for.

Resumes for government jobs should be about three pages long - shorter if you don’t have enough work experience. Don’t pad it out. Longer if you have considerable relevant work experience, however try not to go beyond four pages. A lengthy resume will work against you.

Don't use graphics and fancy borders unless your application is for a job in a creative industry, such as website design, graphic art or photography. Cluttered resumes are more difficult to read and understand. Clean and clear with lots of white space is the way to go.

Should you include a photo on your resume? If you work in a highly specialised field or small industry and you want someone on the selection panel to recognise you, including a photo can be a good idea. Otherwise, it is best to avoid putting your photo on your resume.

Don’t use jargon or assume that the person reading your resume understands your industry. Spell out acronyms and explain industry specific terms. Always assume that there might be an independent panel member on the selection board that is not from your industry (it happens frequently and if they can't understand your experience they can't assess you properly!)

• Read more government resume tips here ...

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Get inspired by browsing CVs and cover letters for different industries and career stages.

You can also browse these resources by career stage to view the fictional profile and job advertisement used to draft the sample documents.

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3. Applying for an APS job: cracking the code

Get the facts.

APS job ads usually include the following, which will help you decide if it is the right job to apply for:

• the name or title of the job
• the location of the job
• the salary range and the classification level
• a description of the job
• whether it is ongoing or non-ongoing (temporary)
• a web link to the job description and information pack
• the name and contact details of a contact officer.

Good applications make a positive impression and can lead to an interview or further assessment. Don’t apply just for the sake of it. Select the right job for you and prepare a strong (and accurate) application highlighting your skills, abilities and experience, and how they meet the requirements of the job. Your application will be assessed on the basis of merit.

It is important to provide all the information specified in the information pack. This may include some or all of the following:

• a cover sheet
• a copy of your CV or resume
• a statement or ‘pitch’ about how your skills, abilities and experience meet the job requirements
• addressing the selection criteria or answering any questions if they have been included
• contact details for your referees.

You may be asked if you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, are from a non-English speaking background or are a person with disability. This information is used for statistical purposes—it will not be used to assess your suitability for the job. It is not compulsory to provide this information.

However, some jobs are advertised as only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, or people with disability. In these cases, if you wish to apply you will need to respond to questions about your eligibility. See info sheets 5 and 6 for more information about these vacancies.

Writing your application

Most of the time, your CV alone will not be enough to get you an APS job. When applying for a job it is likely that you will be asked to submit a written application with your CV. This could be in the form of a statement addressing particular selection criteria, or a short ‘pitch’ or statement setting out your skills, abilities and experience relevant to the job.

Selection criteria, if they are used, describe the personal qualities, skills, abilities, knowledge and qualifications (if any) a person needs to perform the role effectively. Agencies may ask you to separately address a number of criteria or to write one general statement expressing your claims for the job. The job description will help you understand the responsibilities and tasks required in the job.

The agency’s selection panel will assess the responses of all applicants. Sometimes, this will be enough to identify the best person for the role. More commonly though, this process will create a shortlist of applicants suitable to move to the next stage—usually an interview but it may be another form of assessment.

Most CVs are between two and six pages long. Sometimes a selection panel may request a specific length or that you include particular details. Otherwise, your CV should usually include:

Personal details—your name, contact email address and phone numbers. There’s no need to include your age, gender, or marital status.

Education—details of relevant education and qualifications.

Work experience—your work experience and highlight the main responsibilities and achievements that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Organise your employment history in chronological order, starting with the most recent, and indicate actual dates of employment. You should look to explain any gaps in employment. 

Other experience—if relevant, briefly mention any activities, interests or volunteer/community work that you participated in and highlight what you gained from that experience. If your hobbies aren’t relevant to the job you are applying for, don’t include them.

Referees—the name and contact details of referees who can validate and support your application. Make a note if there are any sensitivities with contacting your referees, i.e. any referees who should not be contacted unless you are in contention for the job.

Addressing selection criteria

Some agencies will ask that your written application address specific selection criteria. Common examples of selection criteria include:

• demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively
• good organisational and administrative skills
• proven ability to work as part of a team
• well-developed customer service skills
• proven ability to manage projects.

You should respond to each criterion and, following any guidance in the information pack, explain how you have demonstrated the particular skill or quality. Provide relevant examples from your work, study or community roles. Be clear and to the point. If a word or page limit is set, make sure you stick to it, and edit your responses for grammar, spelling and punctuation.

It is important to provide evidence to back up your claims. Where possible use actual, specific examples of what you have done, how well you did it, what you achieved, and how it relates to the requirements of the job. The STAR model can help you form your answer.

Find out more

What is the star model.

The STAR model is one way of presenting information against selection criteria. For each criterion, think about the following and use these points to form sentences:

• Situation —Set the context by describing the circumstance where you used the skills or qualities and gained the experience.
• Task —What was your role?
• Actions —What did you do and how did you do it?
• Results —What did you achieve? What was the end result and how does it relate to the job you are applying for?

Using the STAR method, we’ve come up with an example of how you might plan and set out your evidence.

Situation —role as Research Support Officer at XYZ Bank.

Task —needed to ensure that managers were kept informed of policies and procedures.

Action or approach —initiated monthly newsletter, which was emailed to each manager. Took responsibility for writing the main articles. This involved obtaining ideas and input from other stakeholders to ensure that the articles reflected managers’ needs in terms of content and language.

Result —led to improved lines of communication between managers and the Research Support Unit. Feedback was consistently excellent. Received divisional achievement award for newsletter quality.

Once this has been achieved, you can then write the draft paragraph in full. For example:

As Research Support Officer at the XYZ Bank, I needed to ensure that managers were kept informed of policies and procedures. To do this, I initiated a monthly newsletter, which was emailed to each manager. I took responsibility for writing the main articles in each publication. This involved obtaining ideas and input from other stakeholders to ensure that the articles reflected the needs of managers, both in terms of content and language. I received consistently excellent feedback in relation to the newsletter from these internal stakeholders and my own manager. I received a divisional achievement award for the quality of the newsletter. Importantly, this initiative resulted in improved lines of communication between managers and the Research Support Unit.

Remember to use only one or two of your strongest examples to respond to the selection criteria.

What if I’m asked for a ‘pitch’?

Some agencies ask for a ‘pitch’ or short statement of your claims for the job. Your pitch is a chance to tell the agency why you are the right person for the job. They might want to know why you want to work for them, why you are interested in that particular role, what you can offer, and how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications are applicable to the job. In a nutshell—why they should hire you.

Try not to duplicate information that can already be found in your CV, but do highlight any specific examples or achievements that will demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

Remember to stick to the word limit—are they asking for a one or two page pitch or 1,000 word limit?

Myth vs reality

My application needs to be very detailed and address specific selection criteria

Long and complicated selection criteria are becoming a thing of the past. While some agencies still use selection criteria, many agencies now only want to see your CV and a one or two page document that sets out how your skills, abilities and experience fit the job. Read the information pack or call the contact officer to ensure you are providing the right information.

An internal person is already lined up for the job

The job may be vacant, or it may be temporarily filled by an APS employee. However, this does not guarantee them the job. All applicants, including people already working in the APS, have to apply through the same process and be assessed against the strengths of all other applicants. If you want the job and are confident you have the skills and abilities required, then you should apply. 

In the know

Be clear and to the point

Be honest and factual

Check what form your written example should be in

Use relevant examples

Make sure you provide all information requested.

• Write lengthy responses
• Rely just on your CV.

Writing your application

When preparing your application, there are some key things we need to know about you. Focus on how your knowledge, skills, and abilities match those needed for the job. Applicants who are able to do this are more likely to progress through the application process.

Think about what you did in other jobs and your achievements. You can draw on your experiences from other contexts to show how you have relevant skills. These might be from:

• volunteer activities
• casual work
• university, TAFE or school if you have limited work experience.

This will help you to write a cover letter, update your resume and respond to targeted questions.

If the job ad requests a cover letter, you must submit one with your application to be considered for the role.

Writing a cover letter

Good cover letters use the STAR method to structure your work examples by explaining the Situation, Task, Action and Result. Your cover letter should:

• include any specific information requested in the job ad
• address the focus capabilities listed in the job ad, look through the Capability Framework for details on what these mean
• showcase your achievements in past jobs or from other contexts, for example volunteer work
• show us that you have most of the skills we are looking for
• tell us about your passions and interests
• explain why you want the job
• show us how your current skills are transferable to new situations
• show why you are a good fit for the agency and NSW Public Service.

If the job involves managing a team, tell us about important things you did before such as how you supported your team to deliver for the business.

A good cover letter:

• is brief (usually 1 to 2 pages)
• uses plain English
• is well structured
• is specific to the job you are applying for
• uses specific examples of what you’ve done and what you’ve achieved.

Writing a resume

Your resume (also known as curriculum vitae or CV) is a summary of your:

• qualifications

A resume needs to be up-to-date, clear, concise and well organised. It is best if you can tailor the content to the job you are applying for.

As a guide, your resume could include the following sections:

• Personal details – your name and contact details.
• Summary – a brief introduction about you, your work experience, training and interests.
• Education – qualifications and relevant training.
• employer / organisation / agency
• dates of employment
• your responsibilities
• your achievements.
• Other information such as skills, achievements, and relevant memberships.
• Referees – name, title and contact details.

Do not include copies of qualifications with your resume or application unless asked.

Answering targeted questions

Targeted questions are open-ended questions. They may ask you to:

• explain how you’ve shown your knowledge, skills, and abilities in a certain situation
• describe why you’re interested in working for the agency or in the NSW Public Service.

They are often designed to find out about your capabilities and if these suit the role. Capabilities are:

• transferable knowledge (theoretical or practical understanding of a subject)
• skills (developed through training, experience, or practice)
• abilities relevant to a job.

They come from the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework.

Responding to targeted questions on capabilities

A targeted question on capabilities asks you to describe how you used your knowledge, skills, and abilities in a certain situation.

To answer this type of question you should:

• Read the question to identify the information you need to give us, looking for key words.
• capability description explains what the capability covers
• behavioural indicators describe the behaviours or actions at different levels for each capability
• key accountabilities give a high-level summary of the outcomes the role is expected to deliver.
• Use the behavioural indicators to help you think of a relevant example of what you did in other jobs or contexts.
• Be specific – don’t tell us what you think you might do in the situation – tell us what you did.
• Use full sentences, check your spelling and grammar, and stay within the word limit.
• Remember communication skills are important for all jobs.

Use the STAR method to structure your work examples by explaining the Situation, Task, Action and Result.

Example: Responding to a targeted question about your capabilities

The following question is about the 'Commit to Customer Service' intermediate capability.

Give an example of a situation where you provided services that were customer-focused.

How to respond:

• Use the behavioural indicators to prompt you on customer service actions and responsibilities
• Where were you working?
• What was your job?
• Describe a customer problem you identified.
• Explain why it was a problem.
• Tell us what you did to resolve it. If you did something as part of a team, be specific about your role
• Tell us what happened because of what you did – describe the impact on the customer experience.

Responding to targeted questions about your interests

Sometimes targeted questions ask you about:

• your reasons for applying for a job
• why you want the job
• why you want to work in the agency
• why you want to work in the NSW Public Service.

These types of questions give you the chance to tell us about what drives and motivates you.

• Read the question and look for key words that will help you respond. These questions are often framed to get a personal response.
• Review the role description to help you think about what’s involved in the job.
• Think about what we are looking for in asking this question. Our merit principles put importance on fit for the role and agency. Not only on capabilities, knowledge and experience.
• Write your response with honesty and passion.
• Use full sentences, check your spelling and grammar and stay within the word limit.

Example: Responding to a targeted question about your interests

Tell us why you want to work for the NSW Public Service.

• Explain what attracted you to want to work for the NSW Government.
• Describe why the job stood out for you.
• Tell us why you suit the job.
• How does the job fit with my values and standards?
• Have I always wanted to work in this occupation or sector?
• Is this the next step in my career journey?
• Will the job help me to serve my community?
• Relate your passions and interests to what the job offers you.

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Examples of Work

Our team of Senior Résumé Writers and Career Coaches at Government Resumes have created high-quality Resumes, Cover Letters, Selection Criteria and Linkedin Profiles for job seekers throughout Australia since 1995 with a 98.5% success rate. As industry leaders with a commitment to exceeding client expectations, we are proud to showcase our experience in preparing quality documents to demonstrate our writing style, professionalism and expertise across all industries. All documents are custom designed and worded for each individual based on your needs and unique experience. Feel most welcome to browse our online examples below or complete the Request Examples of Work form below to receive more specific examples in your inbox.  We look forward to the opportunity to support you to achieve your career goals.

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As the Director of Government Resumes, Monique plays an integral role as a Senior Résumé Writer, Career Coach, Speaker, and Workshop Facilitator. With extensive experience in résumé writing and the recruitment industry, Monique has been supporting clients in advancing their careers since 1995. Alongside her capable team at Government Resumes, Monique has helped clients secure interviews and job offers throughout Australia, achieving an impressive success rate of 98.5%.

Government Resumes has earned an exceptional industry reputation, being awarded multiple accolades and being highly respected by both clients and peers. Our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction has led to unprecedented business growth, solidifying our position as leaders in the field.

Client feedback consistently highlights Monique's genuine, supportive demeanour and her unwavering commitment to guiding clients through their entire career journey, from initial consultation to job placement. Monique's dedication ensures that clients feel valued and supported every step of the way, fostering trust and confidence in the process.

As a respected Public Speaker, Monique regularly facilitates workshops at Monash University and provides direct support to government departments and leading recruiters through résumé writing and career counselling services. Monique offers support, advice, and coaching to clients from diverse backgrounds, including many senior executives and technical experts, helping them secure their next job opportunity or promotion. She provides high-impact and customised documentation and interview coaching to optimise exceptional results.

Government Resumes are trusted by over 10,000 Australians since 1995. We are proud to be Australia's top-rated resume service.

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Résumé templates: because you don't have to start from scratch

There are many résumé templates online. Learn how to work out which résumé template is best for you.

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Résumé 101: What needs to be in them (and what stays out)

This module explains résumé basics and gives you some résumé examples suitable for Australian workplaces.

Why you need to change your résumé for each job application

Find out why you need to change your résumé for every job application in order to get noticed by employers.

How do you write a résumé with no experience?

Find out how to present your life experience in a way that’s relevant to a work setting when writing your résumé.

Résumé quality check: it’s super important

Learn how to check your résumé and some common mistakes to look out for.

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Last updated: 1 July 2016 - 7:30am

Australian Resume Examples To Get A Great Job In 2024

Impress Aussie recruiters and hiring managers.

(317 votes, average: 4.8 out of 5)

Contributing Editor | HR, careers & job search

I founded three separate companies over the past decade to help leaders and organisations do their best work. Arielle Executive helps leaders get noticed while Arielle Partners & Talent Avenue connect organisations to Australia's best leadership talent.

Last updated: April 22nd, 2024

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Applying for jobs in Australia can be challenging, especially if you’re not sure what the hiring process looks like, what an Australian resume should include, and if you don’t have any great Australian resume examples to learn from.

Yet, we’re at the starting blocks of 2024 – and despite the lowest unemployment in history , competition for the best Australian jobs is tough.

Below, you’ll find Australian resume examples, resume samples, templates and guidelines designed to help you meet the expectations of Australian recruiters and hiring managers.

Consider using my:

• Recommended free resume builder , if you’re on a budget.
• Professional resume service , if you’re a mid-career professional.
• Executive resume writing service , if you’re a senior leader.

Australian Resume Examples To Get You Hired.

Let’s start with a resume example that does everything right. It’s the perfect resume for the Australian job market.

Above: Don’t be scared. You’ll be able to write a resume just like this by the time you finish this article.

In a moment, I’ll comb through this resume example page by page, explain why it’s effective and show you how to write one just like it.

(Related: Which City Has Better Job Prospects: Sydney Or Melbourne?)

What Makes Australian Resumes Different?

Australian employers look for these 6 features when deciding whether your resume warrants their attention:

• Clean design with white space and subtle graphics.
• Precise targeting of a specific role.
• Resume length is appropriate for the candidate’s level of seniority.
• Work history provides big-picture context.
• Achievements are front-loaded , quantified and commercially relevant.
• Correct Australian English throughout.

Before I unpack each of these, let me share a little-known but essential nuance of Australian culture.

Knowing this secret will massively improve your chances of getting your resume noticed in the Australian job market.

How To Impress Australian Employers.

Australians are famous for their laid-back attitude. They appreciate confidence and professionalism but severely dislike arrogance and hubris.

When crafting your resume, you must position yourself as a confident and highly competent individual.

Don’t get carried away, though. Your resume should not read like it was written by Conor McGregor, for Conor McGregor.

Above: He never had a chance against Mayweather.

Aussies don’t relate well to overly brash and self-aggrandising people. (They reserve a term for them that begins with a “w” and rhymes with “tanker”).

Striking a balance is vital.

• You don’t want to undersell yourself, but…
• You must not come across as God’s gift to employers, either (more on this shortly).

Structure Of A Great Australian Resume.

Now that you understand the cultural background that you’re dealing with let’s delve into the critical specifics of resume writing.

A perfect Australian resume begins with getting the resume format, length and design 100% right.

What’s The Ideal Resume Length?

Australian resumes vary between 2 and 5 pages in length. The exact length of your final draft will be driven by your level of seniority and the complexity of your skillset.

• Don’t submit a one-page resume (unless you’re a graduate). It lacks the detail Australian recruiters are looking for.
• Don’t exceed 5 pages . If you find yourself needing more pages, you’re probably trying to create a laundry list of everything that you’ve done, ever. Go back to the drawing board and ask yourself whether your targeting is still on point. Your most recent roles should have the most detail.
• 3 pages is a good length if you’re a mid-level professional or a manager. But if you’re a senior executive, don’t be surprised if you end up with 4 or even 5 pages.

Should You Use The Chronological Resume Format?

No, because:

• In 99% of cases , the reverse-chronological format is your best friend. (This means organising your work history by date, with the most recent role appearing first).
• If you are in the 1% of the population that would benefit from a different resume format, you already know who you are. (And you need to decide between a functional resume format, a chronological resume format or a hybrid format).

What Design Principles Must Your Resume Follow?

Keep your design clean and simple. Don’t create a fruit salad with excessive font styles, sizes and fonts.

Limit yourself to two font sizes and two font styles across the entire document.

• Stick to the internationally accepted font styles and sizes (e.g. Calibri, Myriad Pro, 11pt).
• Don’t use tables , images or graphs. Many Australian companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking System) recruitment software tools – and these  tend to be easily confused by unnecessary detail.
• White space is your friend. Dance in the tension between white space and text. Too much of the former, and you’ll have a very long resume that looks empty. Too much of the latter, and your resume will appear dense and intimidating.

Do You Need To Include Your Photograph?

In some countries, it’s standard practice to include your headshot at the top of your resume. Not so in Australia.

Do not include a photograph of yourself – regardless of how handsome or pretty you think you are.

What Spelling Quirks Do You Need To Be Aware Of?

A few. Replace American English with correct Australian English spelling. That’s:

• ‘ Analyse ’, not ‘Analyze’
• ‘ Behaviour ’, not ‘Behavior’
• ‘ Centre ’, not ‘Center’.

This is obvious, but I need to say it anyway – triple-check spelling and grammar (read my guide to linguistic mistakes that make you look dumb ).

Do Australians Expect A Specific Paper Size?

It’s HIGHLY unlikely that an employer will ask you to print your resume, but if they do, follow these rules:

• Use A4-sized paper . Australia and Europe follow the same rules here.
• Don’t use US Letter size (8” x 11”).

Do You Need To Include Your Marital Status and DOB?

No. No need to include your race or religion, either. ( Why ?)

How To Structure The First Page Of Your Australian Resume .

Above: Notice the abundance of white space. I use it to create a clear hierarchy of information and a friendly, approachable feel.

The first page of your resume makes or breaks your job prospects. No pressure!

In most cases, it will contain a headline, your professional profile, employment summary and key skills. Here’s how to get them right.

1. Your Headline.

The headline on a resume typically appears under your name, and is essentially your tagline.

My advice is to match your headline with the job you are applying for. Include any certifications that add credibility and, if possible, highlight your specialisation. For example:

• Ben Barnes | Chief Financial Officer | Chartered Accountant | Manufacturing

This is not the place to be cool, so no ‘Number Monkey’, ‘Head Honcho’ or ‘Moral Captain’ references. Please.

2. Your Profile.

Also known as a resume summary , this is a place to inject some ‘colour’. Think story. Think brand. Think impact.

(Related:  25 Elements You Must Include On Your Resume ).

Most candidates will use this space to detail their overarching experience, qualifications and specialisation. For example:

While that approach is reasonably effective, do one better and get to the heart of what makes you unique:

3. Your Employment Summary.

You may be familiar with the 2012 study undertaken by online job-matching service TheLadders that claimed  recruiters spend an average of just 6 seconds reviewing an individual’s resume .

Using an eye-tracking technique, researchers found that recruiters focused on your name, current job title, company and dates of employment.

You must include this information on the first page of your resume – and do so in a clear and easily digestible format.

In Australia, recruiters look at your last 10-15 years of employment history. Only go back further if your earlier experience is highly relevant.

4. Your Key Skills.

Also known as “Key Assets”, this section is a condensed summary of your capabilities. It’s an opportunity to provide recruiters and hiring managers with a glimpse into your:

• Technical skills.
• Hard skills.
• Soft skills.

Importantly, resist the temptation to create a table that lists generic skills like “problem-solving”, “empathy” and “negotiation”.

Instead, follow my resume examples above to create a set of 1-2 sentence stories that showcase your most commercially relevant strengths. For example:

How To Structure The Midsection Of Your Australian Resume .

Above: Some recruiters will skip straight to this section. They want to know two things: why you were hired and what you achieved.

Here, Australian employers expect you to get into the meat of your roles.

List each of your roles in reverse chronological order, ensuring that you provide both the big picture context and tactical detail. Here are my power tips for getting it right:

• Don’t confuse responsibilities with achievements . They’re not the same .
• Don’t use 3rd person references – unless you’re the Queen. “Emma leads a team of 5 HR Advisors”. Ergh, too much puffery.

Most importantly, front-load and quantify your achievements. For example:

Is much better than:

How To Structure The Last Page Of Your Australian Resume .

Above: Resist the temptation to put in less effort on the last page. Finish strong.

Well, it’s time to wrap things up.

This typically means listing your education, additional career history, professional development and references.

1. List Your Education.

To quote the great Sir John Monash, pioneering scholar, soldier and engineer who lent his name to one of Australia’s leading universities:

Australians, like most Westerners, value education and continuing professional development.

Be sure to highlight your academic and professional qualifications by including the name and major of your degree, along with the awarding institution:

• Graduate , Australian Institute of Company Directors, GAICD
• Bachelor of Science , Psychology The University of Cambridge

There is no need to include the year of completion on your resume. Also, don’t worry about including education that is no longer relevant (e.g. high school).

2. List Your Earlier Career History.

Do you have roles that fall outside the 15-year window? Don’t list the gory (but entirely irrelevant) details in your precious professional experience section. Stick them here instead.

3. List Your References.

Australian recruiters appreciate data protection restrictions and don’t expect to see referee names, addresses, and telephone numbers on your resume.

• Writing “References available on request”   is perfectly acceptable .
• Referee details will be requested in later stages of the recruitment process

4. Optional Sections.

Aside from your previous experience, achievements and personality flavour, there are a few other details that you can consider including on your resume:

• Non-Executive / Committee / Voluntary Roles : Don’t be afraid to expand on these, as you would your professional experience, provided they enhance your value proposition as a professional.
• Professional Memberships / Affiliations : e.g. Member of the British Psychological Society, Fellow of the Financial Planning Association of Australia or the National Association of Sales Professionals
• Visa Status : Show that you are eligible to work in Australia. For more info on Visa requirements and applications, head to the Australian government’s “Working In Australia” website: ( http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work )
• Publications : Provided they are relevant and credible.
• Awards : List them simply as you would your education, e.g. Award Name, Awarding Body, Year. If you’ve earned the award at work (e.g. President’s Club 2021), include it as an achievement for a specific role.
• Volunteer Experience : Always a good idea to include if you have this under your belt.
• Personal Interests and hobbies : Include if you’re early in your career. If you’re a manager and above, you can probably put your resume’s real estate to better use.

Download 3 Free Australian Resume Templates.

I’m about to provide you with 3 free resume samples that you can use to kick-start your resume writing journey.

But first, a word of caution.

It’s very easy to get carried away with downloading resume samples from the internet. Unfortunately, free resume templates are typically very generic and stuffed with meaningless keywords.

You need to treat them as a starting point of your resume – NOT an almost perfect CV that requires minor tweaks. (Learn more about the dangers of downloading resume templates here ).

These resume samples are pre-loaded with the right resume format and design cues but are devoid of all resume content.

This is intentional, as I don’t want these templates to become a crutch that then leads to a boring, generic resume that looks exactly like thousands of other resumes online.

You need to write your resume content from scratch for best results.

Resume Sample #1.

Download Now :

Resume Sample #2.

Resume sample #3., browse more australian resume examples..

Here’s a list of Australian resume examples that you can use to inspire your own resume:

• Australian IT Project Manager Resume Example
• Australian Business Analyst Resume Example
• Australian Accountant Resume Example
• Australian Lawyer Resume Example
• Australian Senior Executive Resume Example

What Are The Best Job Search Sites In Australia?

Everyone knows about SEEK, Indeed and LinkedIn. But did you know that several excellent niche job search sites cater to specific role types? Check out:

• GradConnection – jobs for graduates, interns and folks with minimal work experience
• Ethical Jobs – jobs for folks who seek a purpose.
• FlexJobs – jobs for people interested in remote work.

Remember To Customise Your Australian Resume For Each Job Application.

Australian hiring managers view your resume as a targeted marketing document. It’s not an “everything for everyone” dossier that lists everything you’ve ever done.

Follow these steps to customise your resume for different jobs:

• Read the job description thoroughly . Look at the job title and the main requirements of the role.
• Reflect on your experience and decide whether you have relevant skills for the job.

For example, if the role requires someone with “great customer service skills” and “strong communication abilities”, include these keywords in your resume and back up these claims in your achievements.

4 Bonus Resume Writing Tips:

The above resume examples will help you produce a perfect resume to help you land a dream job in Australia. Before we part ways, here are my bonus tips for bagging a job “down under”’:

• Pay attention to your online presence . LinkedIn plays a significant role in Australian recruitment and should form a part of your professional brand.
• Use professional resume examples with caution.
• If you’re an executive or a senior business leader, more rules apply to you –  be sure to read my piece about  executive resumes .
• Be patient . Landing a role in Australia can take 12 months, especially at the senior level.

Alright, that’s all I have for you today.

P.S. Let me know in the comments below if you want to see any specific Australian resume examples (or Australia-specific job search tips).

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