Global resume guide · 2026

Australia Resume Format (2026)

Short answer: An Australian resume is 2–3 pages for experienced candidates (1–2 for graduates), with no photo, no date of birth, and achievement-focused bullets. Public-sector and large corporate roles often require a separate selection-criteria document addressing each criterion with STAR examples — the resume itself stays a reverse-chronological summary. Optimize for SEEK, Workday and PageUp parsers.

Australia allows more length than the US but punishes the same sins: vague duties, missing metrics, and decorative templates. Public-sector applications are a two-document game: resume + selection criteria.

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Length and tone

**Graduates:** 1–2 pages. **Mid-career:** 2–3 pages is normal and accepted. **Tone:** direct and confident without US-style superlatives. Use Australian English (organise, centre, programme). **Contact:** name, phone, email, city + state. No photo. No age or marital status.

Selection criteria (public sector)

Government and many university roles require a separate document addressing each selection criterion (often ½–1 page per criterion) using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). The resume summarizes career history; the selection-criteria document proves you meet each dot point. Never merge them into one file unless the employer explicitly allows it.

SEEK and recruiter norms

SEEK is the dominant job board — your SEEK profile headline and resume PDF should share keywords. Recruiters often read the SEEK snapshot before downloading the PDF, so the first three lines of your summary must carry role + years + domain.

Do vs don't

Do: 2–3 pages with STAR-ready achievement bullets

Don't: US one-page cram for 10+ year careers

Do: Separate selection-criteria doc for govt roles

Don't: Merge criteria into the resume unasked

Do: Australian English spelling

Don't: Photo or date of birth

Do: Referees on request — separate sheet

Don't: Inline referee phone numbers

Australia Resume Format — FAQ

How long should an Australian resume be?+

1–2 pages for graduates; 2–3 pages for experienced professionals. Unlike the US, a strong three-page resume is acceptable in Australia if every line carries evidence.

What are selection criteria?+

A separate document required for many Australian public-sector jobs. You address each listed criterion with a concrete STAR example. It is not optional when the posting asks for it.

Resume or CV in Australia?+

Both terms are used interchangeably in corporate hiring. 'Resume' is more common on SEEK; 'CV' appears in formal and academic contexts. Format matters more than the label.

Should I include a photo on an Australian resume?+

No for corporate and government roles. Photos are not standard and can trigger unconscious-bias concerns.

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