ATS-friendly format · Live preview · Australian standard (no photo) · PDF export
Live Preview — ATS Optimised
Most Australian employers prefer a 2-page resume for experienced candidates. New graduates can use 1 page. Unlike US CVs, photos are not expected on Australian resumes and are actively discouraged by major employers to prevent bias.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords before a human sees them. Use plain formatting, match keywords from the job ad, and avoid tables or text boxes. Our builder creates ATS-compatible plain-text formatted CVs.
An Australian resume follows specific conventions that differ from US, UK, and European formats. No photo, no personal details beyond contact information, reverse-chronological work history, and a targeted professional summary. The builder above creates ATS-compatible, professionally formatted resumes in the format expected by Australian employers, recruiters, and Seek/Indeed algorithms.
| Element | Australian (this builder) | US Resume | European CV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | ❌ Never include | ❌ Never include | ✅ Often expected |
| Length | 1-2 pages (most roles) | 1 page preferred | 2+ pages (detailed) |
| Date of birth | ❌ Do not include | ❌ Do not include | Often included |
| Nationality | ❌ Do not include | ❌ Do not include | Sometimes included |
| References | "Available upon request" | "Available upon request" | Often listed |
| Objective statement | Professional Summary (tailored) | Objective (sometimes) | Profile section |
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software used by most medium and large Australian employers to scan, rank, and filter resumes before a human recruiter sees them. An ATS looks for keywords matching the job description, specific qualifications, and formatting it can parse. A beautifully designed PDF with tables, columns, and graphics can score zero in ATS because the software cannot read it properly.
| Section | What to Include | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Contact Details | Full name, email, phone, suburb/city and state, LinkedIn URL (optional). NO photo, date of birth, or home address. | 3-4 lines |
| Professional Summary | 2-4 sentences tailored to the specific role. Mention years of experience, key skills, and notable achievements. Never use first person ("I am..."). | 40-80 words |
| Work Experience | Reverse chronological (most recent first). Job title, company name, dates (month/year format), and 3-5 bullet-point achievements with quantified results where possible. | Largest section |
| Education | Most recent qualification first. Degree, institution, graduation year. Omit school after 5+ years of professional experience. | 3-8 lines |
| Skills | Technical skills, software, certifications — matched to keywords in the job description. | 8-15 skills |
The most impactful resume bullet points use the STAR format: Situation, Task, Action, Result — and lead with a strong action verb.
| Platform | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seek.com.au | All roles, all industries | Largest Australian jobs board — upload PDF resume directly |
| Professional/white-collar, networking | Build online profile; allow recruiters to find you | |
| Indeed.com.au | All roles, high volume | Strong for trades, hospitality, administration |
| APS Jobs (apsjobs.gov.au) | Australian Public Service | Specific format required — selection criteria responses |
| LinkedIn Jobs | Mid-senior professional roles | Many roles not listed elsewhere |
Should I include a photo on my Australian resume?
No. Australian employers do not expect photos on resumes and major employers actively discourage them to prevent unconscious bias in hiring. Unlike some European countries where photos are standard, including a photo on an Australian resume can mark you as unfamiliar with local conventions. This builder follows the correct Australian format without a photo section.
How long should an Australian resume be?
New graduates and those with under 2 years of experience: 1 page. Most professionals (2-10 years experience): 2 pages is the standard. Senior executives and academics: 3 pages may be appropriate. Avoid padding with unnecessary content — a tight, focused 2-page resume is significantly stronger than a padded 3-page one.
What is an ATS and how do I beat it?
ATS (Applicant Tracking System) software scores your resume against the job description before a human sees it. To optimise: use simple single-column formatting (no tables or text boxes); match exact keywords and phrases from the job ad; use standard section headings; include all required qualifications explicitly; and save as a PDF. Our builder creates ATS-compatible layouts.
What should I include in my professional summary?
2-4 sentences summarising your experience level, core skills, industry, and what you bring to this role. Example: 'Results-focused IT Project Manager with 8 years delivering complex infrastructure projects across Australian financial services. Proven expertise in Agile delivery, stakeholder management, and budget oversight up to $5M. Seeking to apply cross-sector project leadership experience at [Company].' Always tailor to the specific role.
Should I include referees on my Australian resume?
In Australia, it is standard to include 'Referees available upon request' at the bottom of your resume rather than listing referee names and contact details. Most employers only contact referees after a successful interview — listing them takes up valuable space and exposes your referees' details unnecessarily before you know the employer is serious.
How do I apply for Australian Public Service (APS) jobs?
APS applications require specific selection criteria responses (often 250-500 words per criterion) rather than a standard resume. Jobs are advertised at apsjobs.gov.au. Read the position description carefully and address each selection criterion with specific examples using STAR format. The standard APS resume format also requires specific information including Australian citizenship status.