Quick Resume Tips for the Australian Job Market
- Merry Ann Shabalala
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
As a Resume writer and HR/Recruitment professional, over the years I have reviewed hundreds of resumes, including many international ones. Here are a few simple essentials for the Australian job market. They may seem obvious, but they’re often overlooked, and missing them can reduce your chances of being shortlisted for the role you've applied for.
1. Use an ATS-friendly format.
Avoid graphics, tables, icons, or complex layouts. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) often struggle to read them - sometimes missing names and contact details altogether. A clean, simple format improves both system readability and recruiter experience.
Read more about - Why an ATS Resume Matters.
2. Remove your date of birth.
Including DOB can unintentionally introduce bias. In Australia, it’s not required and best left off.
3. Location.
In Australia, It's standard practice to include location details. If you're an international, put the address of where you'll be located in Australia. Because it's actually not about your street address, rather it's about context and reassurance for employers. Clear location helps recruiters prioritise, assess and match candidates for roles. Therefore, your full address is not required, just your suburb or city/state is fine e.g. Sydney, NSW.
4. Skip the photo (in most cases).
Photos are fine on LinkedIn, but generally not on Australian resumes unless your industry specifically requires it. Keep the focus on skills, experience, and achievements relevant to the role.
5. List employment in reverse chronological order.
Start with your most recent role and work backwards. Recruiters want to quickly see what you’re doing now or most recently.
6. Keep it concise: 2–3 pages max.
Recruiters review a high volume of applications. Be clear, direct, and to the point. Longer documents are usually reserved for academic CVs or very senior executive roles.
There are many more nuances to resume writing, but these fundamentals alone can significantly improve your chances of being shortlisted.
💡 Simple and clear always works best.
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