The Australian format, in brief
- Usually called a "resume" or "CV" interchangeably, 1 to 2 pages is standard for hospitality, retail and entry-level roles
- No photo, no date of birth, no marital status, Australian employers don't expect or want these
- A short summary statement at the top, 2 to 3 lines on who you are and what you're looking for
- Work experience listed most recent first, with concrete outcomes not just duties
- Two references or "references available on request" is fine for casual and hospitality roles
Common mistakes working holiday makers make
- Sending a CV formatted for a different country's norms, with a photo or personal details that read oddly to an Australian employer
- Listing job titles that don't translate, "commis chef" means something specific here, a generic translation loses the detail employers are scanning for
- No local phone number or address yet, employers want to see you're actually contactable and nearby
- Overly long resumes for entry-level roles, hospitality and retail managers scan fast
Get your resume ready before you land, not after your first knock-back.
Cover notes for casual roles
For hospitality and retail, a short cover note or even a confident in-person introduction often matters more than a formal cover letter. Walking in with a printed resume, dressed neatly, and asking to speak to a manager directly still works in both Sydney and the Gold Coast.
Free resume builder. Educli's Resume Builder creates an ATS-optimised, Australian-format resume in a few guided steps, free, no login required to try it.
Where to actually apply
- Walk-ins for hospitality and retail, still common and effective in both cities
- Job boards, including Educli's International Job Board
- Hostel and share house noticeboards, often carry local casual leads
- A soft landing package's first-job push, if you're using one