Australia · Resume rules
Australian Resume Length: How Many Pages Should It Be?
Aim for two pages. That is the figure Australian universities and career sites mention most often. Students and recent graduates can go down to one or two pages, experienced professionals are often told two to three, and a few sources allow up to four for senior or specialist roles. If the job advertisement states a length, follow it.
Here's the thing about resume length in Australia: if you ask five career advisers, you'll get five slightly different answers. One says two pages at most. Another says four is fine. A third says one page for a bar job and three or four for a senior one. So who's right? Mostly, they all are, because the right length depends on your experience, the industry and the employer.
The good news is that the sources agree on the shape of the answer. We'll show you where they differ, so you can pick a length with confidence instead of guessing.
What each source says
| Source | Length guidance |
|---|---|
| Dept of Employment and Workplace Relations | Two pages at most, depending on your experience and the job |
| University of Sydney | Most industries expect 1–3 pages; academic or research resumes run longer |
| UNSW | Two pages is typical; some companies ask for one; three for extensive experience or research output |
| University of Queensland | About 2 pages for internships, graduate programs and entry-level roles; up to about 4 for roles needing more experience, including management |
| Griffith University | 2–3 pages in the checklist, 2–4 elsewhere in the booklet |
| Live in Melbourne (Victorian Government) | About 2 to 4 pages for newcomers |
| ASIC (government regulator) | No more than four pages; shorter is fine if your experience is limited |
| Torrens University | Usually about two pages, even with many years of experience |
| Kaplan College Adelaide | 1–2 pages for students; 2–3 for experienced applicants |
| People2People (recruiter) | One page for hospitality and bar jobs, two for junior roles, three to four for senior roles |
Notice the conflict inside a single source: UQ's student fact sheet says graduate and experienced professional resumes run two to four pages, yet its sample resume says it should not be longer than two full pages. Its separate job-board tips repeat "about 2 pages" for graduate programs. That's why we don't give you one number. We give you a range and a reason.
How long should yours be?
| Where you are | A sensible target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Student or first job | 1–2 pages | Kaplan says one to two is usually enough; UQ says about two for internships and graduate programs |
| A few years of experience | 2 pages | The most common figure across Sydney, UNSW, Torrens and DEWR |
| Experienced professional | 2–3 pages | Kaplan and UNSW allow three for extensive experience |
| Senior, management or specialist | Up to 4 pages | UQ, ASIC and People2People allow it, but only if the content earns the space |
| Academic or research | Longer is accepted | Sydney and UNSW say research output can extend the resume |
| Hospitality, retail, casual work | 1 page | People2People suggests one page for hospitality and bar jobs |
These are our reading of the sources, not a rule. A good two-page resume beats a padded four-page one almost every time.
Applying from another country?
Many CVs from abroad run long because they list every duty, a personal profile, and sometimes a photo and family details. For Australia, cut those first. If you're a newcomer, Live in Melbourne mentions two to four pages, and you will often land nearer two once you remove the personal details. Our guide for migrants writing an Australian resume shows how to explain overseas jobs in a few lines rather than a page.
How to cut a resume that's too long
- Trim old roles. ASIC says the last 10 years is usually enough, and Torrens says roles older than about ten years can be condensed to a line or two or dropped, unless they relate directly to the job.
- Remove personal details. Photo, date of birth and similar items add length and no value. See our guide on the photo and personal details.
- Group similar jobs. ASIC suggests grouping similar positions or summarising early career experience.
- Cut duties, keep results. Replace long task lists with a few bullets that show what you achieved.
- Tailor it. Keep what matches the advertisement and drop what doesn't. Sydney notes that you can reorder sections to suit your experience.
- Don't shrink the font to cheat. Sydney recommends 10 to 12 point body text and no more than two fonts. If it only fits at 8 point, it's too long.
How to fill a resume that's too short
If you're a student or recent graduate with only a page of content, that's fine. Torrens suggests recent graduates still aim for about two pages by adding projects and skills. Good candidates include relevant coursework, volunteering, placements and practical projects. Don't pad with irrelevant detail, and don't invent experience.
Page layout details that matter
- Name and page number in the footer from page two onwards (Sydney), so a loose page can be matched to you.
- Contact details at the top of the first page (ASIC). DEWR's template repeats name, phone and email on every page.
- Keep it simple. ASIC advises avoiding heavy design, colours and unusual fonts, and Sydney recommends plain text for online application systems.
- Referees last. If you list them, they go at the end. Our guide to references on an Australian resume explains how.
Want a layout that already fits two pages? Download our Australian resume template.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an Australian resume be?
About two pages is the most common answer. Students can use one to two pages, experienced professionals often two to three, and some sources allow up to four for senior roles.
Is a one-page resume enough in Australia?
Yes for some situations: casual and hospitality jobs, or when an employer asks for one page. For most professional roles, about two pages is more typical.
Can an Australian resume be three or four pages?
Sometimes. UQ, ASIC and People2People allow up to four pages for senior or management roles, and Sydney and UNSW allow more for research. Only use the space if it holds relevant achievements.
How far back should my work history go?
ASIC says the last 10 years is usually enough. Torrens says older roles can be condensed or dropped unless they relate directly to the job.
Does the cover letter count toward the length?
No, it is a separate document. Live in Melbourne says to keep the cover letter to one page.
What if the advertisement says a different length?
Follow the advertisement. UQ and UNSW both note that employers may ask for a specific length.
Should my name be on every page?
Yes. Sydney recommends putting your name and page number in the footer from page two onwards, and Griffith says to number each page and put your name on every page.
Your next step
Print or preview your resume and count the pages. If it's over two, cut jobs older than ten years and replace task lists with results. If it's under, add projects, volunteering or skills that match the job. Then check the footer shows your name and page number.
Keep going
Your next steps
Sources
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations: Resume tips and example resume
- University of Sydney Careers: How to write a resume
- UNSW Employability: Resume / C.V. guide with examples
- University of Queensland Employability: Résumé guide and checklist
- University of Queensland Employability: Top tips for effective resumes
- Griffith University: Applying for a job, resume booklet
- Live in Melbourne (Victorian Government): How to apply for a job in Melbourne
- ASIC Careers: Tips on preparing your resume
- Torrens University: Tips on how to write a winning resume
- Kaplan College Adelaide: How to write an Australian resume as a student
- People2People: Dos and don'ts for your first Australian resume
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