Referees matter more in Australian hiring than in most markets — employers here genuinely call them, usually at the final stage. But whether they belong on the resume itself is genuinely contested: SEEK's own guidance says a simple "referees available on request" note is fine, while plenty of Australian recruiters treat a listed referees section as standard. Here's how to decide.
When to list referees in full
List 2–3 referees with complete details when you have strong, relevant Australian referees, when you're early-career and they add credibility, or when the job ad asks for them.
When "available on request" is the right call
Use it when your referees are overseas and unlikely to be called, when you need the space, or when you want to choose the right referees for each application. It isn't a red flag — SEEK's guidance explicitly allows it.
How many referees?
Two to three, ideally professional referees who managed you directly. A mix of a recent manager and a senior colleague works well.
How to format referees when you list them
- Full name
- Job title and company
- Phone number (Australian format)
- Email address
- Relationship to you (e.g. "Direct manager at …")
Non-negotiable either way
Ask permission first, and brief your referees on the roles you're applying for. Australian recruiters do ring, and a referee who's surprised by the call does you no favours.
For the full picture — length, sections, work rights and ATS — see our Australian resume format guide. Building a CV from scratch? Our guided builder handles the referees section for you.