Australia · Resume rules
References on an Australian Resume: Should You List Referees?
List two or three referees at the end of your Australian resume, or write "referees available on request". Australian sources accept both. Sydney, UQ and Live in Melbourne allow the "on request" line, while the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Pacific Engagement Visa guide expect you to name at least two. Whichever you pick, ask each person first, and try to include one referee based in Australia.
In Canada, the advice is to keep references off the resume until someone asks. Australia is different, and that catches a lot of newcomers out. Here, a "Referees" section at the end of the resume is normal, and a recruiter may expect to see names. So what do you actually write? How many people do you need? And what if your best supervisor lives on the other side of the world?
Honest caveat before we start: the Australian sources don't agree on every detail, and none of them is a law. Where they differ, we'll say so.
- Two options, and what each source says
- How many referees do you need?
- Who makes a good referee?
- What if your referees are overseas?
- What to write: a copyable Referees section
- How to ask someone to be your referee
- Other checks you may meet
- Before and after: a migrant's referee section (fictional)
- Frequently asked questions
- Your next step
- Your next steps
Two options, and what each source says
| Option | Who accepts it | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| List 2 or 3 referees with contact details | Sydney, UNSW, UQ, Griffith, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), the Pacific Engagement Visa guide | You have people ready and the resume has space |
| "Referees available on request" | Sydney, UNSW, UQ, Live in Melbourne | You want to protect your referees' details until the employer is serious |
| Name and role only, "contact details on request" | UNSW lists this as a middle option | You want to show strong names but control who gets the phone number |
If the job advertisement says what to send, follow that. Otherwise, listing two referees is a safe default, because it saves the employer a step. The "on request" line works too, but make sure your referees are lined up, since employers typically contact them after the interview, according to UQ.
How many referees do you need?
Most Australian employers ask for two, according to UQ and NSW Government career guidance. UQ adds that some employers ask for one and others ask for four, and Griffith says you need at least two work-related referees. Aim to have three people ready so you can choose the best fit for each application.
Who makes a good referee?
- Current or past managers and supervisors: the strongest choice, because they can speak about your work. A senior colleague you worked with on a project also counts.
- Academics and teachers: UQ treats university staff as character referees, which suits students and recent graduates. Sydney lists a supervisor, manager or academic.
- Character referees: useful if you have little work history. UQ says to pick a professional who has known you for a significant time, not someone chosen for friendship alone.
- Who to avoid: family members (unless they run the business where you worked), peers at your own level, and anyone who can't speak meaningfully about you.
What if your referees are overseas?
This is the usual situation for new arrivals, and it's workable. UNSW says one international referee is acceptable, but a local referee should also be included. UQ and Live in Melbourne say much the same: overseas referees can be useful, but employers will usually expect at least one in Australia. Griffith says international students may use referees from their home country if those people can communicate in English.
How do you get an Australian referee when you've only just arrived? A recruiter blog (People2People) suggests looking at contacts from networking, unpaid work or volunteering. A short, genuine volunteer role or work placement can give you someone local who has seen you work. Just make sure the arrangement is lawful: Settle AU, an immigration guide, points out that genuine volunteering and vocational placements differ from unpaid productive work, which is worth checking against the Fair Work Ombudsman's guidance.
If you're still overseas and have nobody local, People2People suggests providing a personal or work reference, such as a reference letter or testimonials. Include the country code in every phone number.
What to write: a copyable Referees section
Put this at the end of the resume, in the same font as the rest. Sydney recommends name, job title, organisation, contact details and your relationship to the person, and UQ adds phone and email, since Australian employers prefer to call and may email if they can't reach the referee.
REFEREES
[Referee 1 full name]
[Job title], [Organisation]
Relationship: [e.g. my direct manager at ABC Pty Ltd, 2023–2025]
Phone: [+country code number] | Email: [email]
[Referee 2 full name]
[Job title], [Organisation]
Relationship: [e.g. senior colleague on the XYZ project]
Phone: [number] | Email: [email]
[Referee 3 full name, ideally based in Australia]
[Job title], [Organisation]
Relationship: [e.g. volunteer coordinator, 2026]
Phone: [number] | Email: [email]
And if you prefer the short version, write this under the "Referees" heading instead:
Referees available on request.
How to ask someone to be your referee
- Ask first. NSW Government guidance, UQ and DEWR all say to get permission before sharing anyone's details.
- Tell them about the job. Share the role and the achievements that fit, so they can speak to the right skills (NSW).
- Warn them employers may call. Reference checks happen by phone or through an online questionnaire (NSW, PEV).
- Check for third-party systems. The PEV guide advises asking employers whether they use a reference-checking service, because those emails can end up in spam.
- Keep them updated while you apply, and say thank you afterwards.
Other checks you may meet
Depending on the job, employers may also ask for a working with children check, a national police check (which needs your consent), or a security clearance, according to NSW Government guidance. These are separate from references and don't belong on your resume.
Before and after: a migrant's referee section (fictional)
| Weak | Stronger |
|---|---|
| References: my former boss in Bogotá. Call on WhatsApp. | Andrés Rojas, Operations Manager, Logística Norte S.A. Relationship: my direct manager, 2019–2024 Phone: +57 000 000 0000 | Email: andres.rojas@example.com Priya Nair, Volunteer Coordinator, Community Pantry Melbourne |
Frequently asked questions
Should I put references on my resume in Australia?
You can either list two or three referees at the end or write "referees available on request". Both are accepted by Australian sources. Listing them is safe if you have people ready.
How many referees do I need in Australia?
Usually two, according to UQ and NSW Government guidance, though some employers ask for one and others four. Have three people ready.
Do I need a referee based in Australia?
It helps. UNSW, UQ and Live in Melbourne say overseas referees are acceptable, but employers usually also expect at least one local referee.
Can my referees live overseas?
Yes. Include the country code and an email address, and make sure they can communicate in English, as Griffith notes for international students.
Can a friend or family member be my referee?
Avoid family and friends unless they supervised you at work. UQ says to avoid family members (unless they run the business where you work) and peers at your own level.
When do employers contact referees?
UQ says employers typically contact referees after your interview. NSW Government guidance says checks may happen by phone or through online questions.
Should I include a referee's contact details on the resume?
If you list referees, yes: name, job title, organisation, phone and email, plus your relationship. If you don't want details public, UNSW suggests name, position and organisation with contact details available on request.
Your next step
Message three people today: your most recent manager, one senior colleague and, if you can, someone in Australia. Ask permission, send them the job description, and then paste the template above at the end of your resume.
Keep going
Your next steps
Sources
- University of Sydney Careers: How to write a resume
- UNSW Employability: Resume / C.V. guide with examples
- University of Queensland Employability: Referees, who can they be and how many do I need?
- University of Queensland Employability: Résumé guide and checklist
- Griffith University: Applying for a job, resume booklet
- NSW Government: Organising reference checks for your first job
- Live in Melbourne (Victorian Government): How to apply for a job in Melbourne
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations: Resume tips and example resume
- Pacific Engagement Visa: Creating your resume for the Australian job market
- People2People: Dos and don'ts for your first Australian resume
- Settle AU: How to find a job in Australia as a new migrant
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