If you're moving from the US job market to Australia, your resume needs more than a spelling tweak. Here are the key differences that matter.
Length
US resumes are typically one page. Australian resumes are two to three pages for most professionals — there's room to show relevant experience properly.
Referees
Referees carry more weight in Australia — employers genuinely call them. Many Australian resumes list 2–3 referees with full contact details, though a "referees available on request" note is also accepted (SEEK's guidance allows either). See our guide to referees.
Paper size
The US uses Letter (8.5×11"); Australia uses A4 (210×297mm). Set your document to A4 so it prints and parses correctly.
Spelling
Switch to Australian English: organise, optimise, colour, licence, centre, analyse. And it's a "CV" or "resume" here — both terms are used.
Photos and personal details
Don't include a photo, date of birth, or marital status. Australian employers don't expect them and they can raise bias concerns. US resumes already avoid photos, so this aligns — but some other countries don't.
Quick conversion checklist
- Expand to 2–3 pages with relevant detail.
- Add a referees section (listed in full, or "available on request").
- Switch to A4 and Australian spelling.
- Add a work-rights statement if you're not a citizen/PR.
Ready to localise your CV? Run a free ATS check to see what needs changing for the Australian market.