Resume writing
Australian vs US resume: what to change
Convert a US-style resume for Australian employers: length, referees, spelling, work rights and local terms.
If your resume was written with US advice, or for the US market, it will mostly work in Australia, but a few habits need changing. The core is the same: reverse-chronological experience, clear achievements and no photo. The differences are in length, referees, spelling, work rights and a few terms.
The main differences
| Area | Common US habit | Australian expectation |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Many US guides push hard for one page | One to three pages for most industries |
| Referees | Often left off entirely | A final referees section, or "Referees available on request" |
| Spelling | US English: organize, center, program | Australian English: organise, centre; employers may use "program" or "programme" |
| Work rights | Usually not stated | State visa type and work conditions if you are not a citizen or PR |
| Paper size | US Letter | A4 |
| Grades | GPA | GPA or WAM (weighted average mark), depending on the university |
| Terminology | "Resume" for jobs, "CV" for academia | Both words used for job applications |
| Personal details | No photo, no date of birth | The same: no photo, date of birth or marital status |
Sources for the Australian column: the University of Sydney's resume guide (one to three pages, referees as the last entry, no photo or date of birth, WAM), the Queensland Government's resume guide (one to three pages, CV and resume both used), and Study Australia's resume guide (visa status and work restrictions).
Length: let relevant experience breathe
The one-page rule is a habit, not an Australian requirement. If you have several years of relevant experience, two pages usually serve you better than one crowded page. Graduates can still use one page. Our guide to resume length in Australia gives a range for each situation.
Referees: add the final section
Australian employers expect to see referees at the end of the resume, either with details or as "Referees available on request". See referees on an Australian resume for who to choose.
Spelling and terms
Change US spellings in your own sentences: organise, prioritise, analyse, centre, licence (noun). Keep official names as they are spelt, for example a US company's "Center for…" or a product name.
Translate terms the reader may not recognise:
| US term | Australian equivalent |
|---|---|
| Zip code | Postcode |
| College (for a university degree) | University |
| Senior year project | Final-year or capstone project |
| Cell phone | Mobile |
| Vacation | Leave or annual leave |
Work rights: answer the question early
Australian employers need to know you can work here. Add one line under your contact details, such as "Permanent resident, full work rights" or "Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), full work rights until March 2028". You can check your current conditions with the Department of Home Affairs' VEVO service.
A worked conversion
Fictional applicant Jordan Ellis is moving from Seattle to Brisbane. Her one-page US resume became a two-page Australian version:
- Header: "Seattle, WA 98101" became "Brisbane, QLD (relocating May 2027) · Permanent resident".
- Experience: older roles she had cut to fit one page came back as two-line entries, because they showed project work the Brisbane role asked for.
- Spelling: "optimized", "organized" and "center" changed in her own bullet points.
- Referees: a final line, "Referees available on request".
- Paper: exported on A4.
Questions about US and Australian resumes
Should I keep two versions?
If you apply in both markets, yes. Keep one master record of your experience and export a version formatted for each market.
Will Australian employers understand US job titles?
Most will. Add a short descriptor for titles that are company-specific or uncommon, such as "Associate (graduate analyst program)".
Should I convert my GPA?
Report it as your institution issued it and include the scale, for example "GPA 3.7/4.0". Do not convert it to a WAM yourself.
Does the US "objective" section work in Australia?
A brief career objective or summary is common in Australian resumes too. Keep it to two or three sentences tied to the role. Our pillar guide on how to write a resume in Australia shows an example.
OfferUnderway
Keep one record, export for each market
Save your experience once and generate a version formatted for the job you are applying to.
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