Resume writing
Referees on an Australian resume: who to choose and how to list them
Choose referees who have seen your work, list them clearly, and brief them before an employer calls.
Referees are the people an employer contacts to confirm what your resume says about your work. In Australia they usually appear as the last section of a resume, and many employers check them before making an offer.
Who makes a good referee
A useful referee can describe specific work you did, how you did it and how you worked with others. Seniority matters less than first-hand knowledge.
| Your situation | Strong referee choices | Usually weaker choices |
|---|---|---|
| Currently employed | A previous manager; a senior colleague or client who has seen your recent work | Friends or family |
| Recent graduate | Placement or internship supervisor; lecturer who marked a major project; part-time job manager | A tutor who barely knew you |
| Returning to work | Manager from your last role; volunteer coordinator; course trainer | Someone who has not seen your work in many years |
| Changing careers | Someone who has seen your transferable skills in action | A referee from an unrelated role who cannot speak to them |
| Experience overseas | Overseas manager reachable by email or video call | Someone with no shared language or reliable contact |
The University of Sydney's resume guide suggests listing two or three referees who can comment on your work-based skills, and always asking permission first.
How to list referees on a resume
Put referees at the end of the document. For each one, give their name, current job title, organisation, relationship to you, phone number and email address.
Referees
Sam Wilson, Operations Manager, Example Logistics (my manager, 2023–2026)
[Phone] · [Email]
Dr Lena Park, Senior Lecturer, Example University (supervised my capstone project, 2025)
[Phone] · [Email]
The relationship line matters. It tells the employer why this person's view of your work is relevant.
Full details or "available on request"?
Both are common. The University of Sydney notes that writing "Available on request" lets you check in with your referees before they are called. Use full details when the employer asks for them or when your referees are already prepared.
Government applications often ask for referee details as part of the application. The Australian Public Service Commission's guide to applying for APS jobs lists referee contact details as a standard part of an application. It also suggests noting any sensitivity, such as a referee who should only be contacted if you are in contention for the job. That is a sensible way to handle a current manager who does not know you are looking.
Prepare your referees before they are called
A referee who knows what the job involves can give a more useful answer. When you are shortlisted:
- Send them the job ad and the version of the resume you submitted.
- Remind them of two or three pieces of work that match the role.
- Tell them who might call and roughly when.
- Thank them afterwards and let them know the outcome.
Referees based overseas
An overseas referee can be useful if they supervised relevant work. Give an email address, a phone number with the country code and their time zone. Check that they are comfortable with a phone or video call at Australian business hours. Our guide to writing a resume with no Australian experience covers how to make overseas roles easy for an Australian employer to understand.
Questions about referees
How many referees should I list?
Two or three is the usual range. Follow the employer's instructions if they specify a number.
Can a friend or family member be a referee?
Employers want someone who has observed your work. A friend who was also your manager or client can be appropriate; describe the working relationship accurately.
What if my current manager does not know I am applying?
List a previous manager or senior colleague instead, or note that your current manager should only be contacted once you are the preferred candidate. Most employers understand this request.
When do employers contact referees?
Usually later in the process, often after interviews. Some application forms collect referee details at the start, so make sure your referees know they may be contacted.
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