Figuring out how to list overseas degrees and experience on an Australian resume nearly cost me my first job interview. I spent three hours staring at my resume, wondering if I should write “Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering” or just “BEng Electrical Engineering” or something else entirely. My degree from Bangladesh looked nothing like Australian qualifications, and I had no idea if recruiters would even understand it.
I’m finishing my Master’s in IT (Artificial Intelligence) at the University of Melbourne now. I’ve worked casual jobs, landed a frontend developer internship at a Melbourne startup, and helped mates fix their resumes dozens of times. The biggest mistake international students make isn’t having overseas qualifications. It’s formatting them in ways that confuse Australian recruiters or make them look less credible than they actually are.
So here’s exactly how to list overseas degrees and experience on an Australian resume without shooting yourself in the foot.
Why Overseas Qualifications Confuse Australian Recruiters
Australian recruiters see hundreds of resumes every week. They understand local qualifications instantly because they’re familiar with the system. Bachelor of Commerce from Monash? They know what that means. Graduate Diploma in IT from RMIT? No explanation needed.
But when they see “B.Tech Computer Science” or “Higher Secondary Certificate” or “Licenciatura en Ingeniería,” they pause. They’re not idiots, but they don’t have time to Google every international qualification. If your resume makes them work too hard to understand your background, they’ll move to the next candidate.
The goal isn’t to hide your overseas qualifications. It’s to translate them into language Australian recruiters already understand. Make it easy for them to see you’re qualified, and you’ll get more callbacks.
The Basic Format for Overseas Degrees
Here’s the format I use, and it’s worked for every application I’ve submitted:
Degree Name (in English) | Institution Name
Location (City, Country) | Month Year – Month Year
Example from my resume:
Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology
Chittagong, Bangladesh | Feb 2016 – Oct 2020
Three things to notice here. First, I used the full degree name in English, not abbreviations or local terminology. Second, I included the city and country because Australian recruiters won’t know where Chittagong is (and that’s fine). Third, I used month and year format, not just years, because it shows I’m being specific and honest.
If your degree is in another language, translate it. Don’t write “Diplôme d’Ingénieur” and expect recruiters to know it’s equivalent to a Bachelor of Engineering. Just write Bachelor of Engineering (or the closest English equivalent) and move on. You can always explain the specifics in an interview if needed.
Should You Include Your GPA or Grades?
Only if they’re good. I didn’t include my GPA from Bangladesh because the grading system is different and explaining it would clutter my resume. But I do include my Master’s grades from Melbourne (Distinction average) because Australian recruiters understand that system immediately.
If you graduated with honours or received academic awards, absolutely include them. “First Class Honours” or “Dean’s List” translates well. But if your grades were average or your country uses a different scale that doesn’t convert cleanly, just leave it off. Focus on what you did with the degree instead.
How to Describe Overseas Work Experience
This is where most international students mess up. They either write too much (trying to prove their experience was “real”) or too little (assuming Australian recruiters will understand the context).
Here’s the format I recommend:
Job Title | Company Name
Location (City, Country) | Month Year – Month Year
- Bullet point describing what you actually did (results-focused)
- Another bullet point with specific skills or achievements
- Keep it to 2-3 bullets maximum for older roles
Example from when I was helping a mate with his resume:
Content Writer | KnowWorldNow.com
Remote (Bangladesh) | Jan 2018 – Present
- Created 200+ SEO-optimised articles across technology, travel, and education niches
- Managed WordPress sites with 50,000+ monthly visitors using technical SEO strategies
- Implemented programmatic content generation workflows using n8n and OpenAI APIs
Notice a few things. First, we mentioned “Remote” because that’s relevant to Australian employers (shows you can work independently). Second, we used specific numbers (200+ articles, 50,000+ visitors) because that proves the work was substantial. Third, we mentioned tools and technologies Australian employers recognise (WordPress, SEO, APIs).
The key is making your overseas experience sound relevant to Australian jobs. Don’t just list duties. Show what you achieved and what skills you used. Australian recruiters care about results, not just responsibilities.
What If Your Previous Job Title Doesn’t Translate?
Use the closest Australian equivalent. If you were a “Senior Executive” in India (which is often entry-level), call yourself a “Coordinator” or “Officer” depending on your actual duties. If you were a “Team Lead” managing two people, maybe just say “Developer” unless the leadership aspect is genuinely relevant.
I’ve covered this in more detail in my Australian-style resume guide, but the principle is simple. Use job titles that Australian recruiters will immediately understand, even if it means simplifying slightly. You’re not lying, you’re translating.
When to Include Secondary or High School Education
Generally, don’t. If you have a Bachelor’s degree or higher, Australian recruiters don’t care about your high school results. They assume you passed since you got into university.
The exception is if you’re applying for courses that specifically ask for your secondary education details, or if you’re coming to Australia for a Bachelor’s degree and your HSC equivalent is your highest qualification. In that case, format it like this:
Higher Secondary Certificate (Equivalent to Australian Year 12)
School Name, City, Country | Year Graduated
But once you have a degree from an Australian university, even your overseas Bachelor’s becomes less important on your resume. Your Melbourne Master’s will carry more weight with local employers anyway. That’s just how it works.
Dealing With Professional Certifications and Short Courses
Australian employers love certifications, but only if they recognise them. If you have certifications in tools or technologies that are used globally (AWS, Google Analytics, PMP, CPA), list them exactly as written. No translation needed.
Format them like this:
Certifications:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (2024)
- Google Analytics Individual Qualification (2023)
- Advanced Excel & Data Analysis Certification (2022)
If you have professional memberships or registrations from your home country, only include them if they’re relevant to the Australian job market. Being a member of the Bangladesh Computer Society probably won’t help much here. But if you’re a Chartered Accountant or Registered Engineer in your home country, mention it because those designations carry weight globally.
I wrote more about which qualifications to highlight in my guide on resume checklist for Australian job applications, but use common sense. If it’s widely recognised or directly relevant to the job, include it. If it’s niche or country-specific, leave it off.
The Skills Section: Where Overseas Experience Really Shines
This is where you can really leverage your overseas background without confusing anyone. Your skills section doesn’t need context or translation. It’s just a list of what you can do.
Here’s mine:
Technical Skills:
React, Next.js, JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML/CSS, WordPress, Technical SEO, Git, n8n, API Integration, Google Analytics
Languages:
English (Fluent), Bengali (Native), Hindi (Conversational)
Notice I didn’t mention where I learned these skills. It doesn’t matter if I picked up React in Bangladesh or Melbourne. What matters is I know it well enough to use it professionally. Your overseas experience taught you skills, and those skills are universally valuable.
If you’re multilingual, definitely include that. Being able to speak multiple languages is an advantage in Australian cities with diverse populations. I’ve gotten callbacks specifically because I mentioned Bengali and Hindi on my resume, especially for roles involving international markets.
Common Mistakes With Overseas Qualifications
Let me save you from the mistakes I made (and still see other international students making):
Using abbreviations without explanation. Don’t write “B.Tech CSE” and assume recruiters know it means Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering. Write it out in full.
Including irrelevant local context. Nobody in Melbourne cares that your university was “ranked #3 in the region” or that you scored in the “top 5% of your cohort.” Unless it’s a globally recognised ranking or award, leave it off.
Overexplaining everything. You don’t need to write “(equivalent to Australian Bachelor’s degree)” next to every qualification. Format it clearly and recruiters will figure it out. Trust them to be smart enough.
Hiding or downplaying overseas experience. Some students try to make their overseas work look less prominent because they think Australian experience is all that matters. Wrong. Own your experience. Just format it properly.
Using local company names without context. If you worked at “Tata Consultancy Services,” that’s fine because TCS is globally known. But if you worked at “ABC Tech Solutions Pvt Ltd” in Mumbai, maybe add a one-line description: “ABC Tech Solutions (mid-sized software consultancy in Mumbai).” Gives context without cluttering.
I made all these mistakes on my first resume here. I’ve written a whole post about common resume mistakes international students make if you want to avoid looking like an amateur.
How to Handle Gaps or Non-Linear Career Paths
Here’s something nobody tells you: Australian recruiters are actually pretty understanding about gaps and career changes, especially for international students. They know studying abroad involves transitions.
If you took time off to prepare for your Australian move, just say so briefly:
Career Break
Jan 2024 – July 2024
- Prepared for Australian relocation: visa processing, English proficiency tests, and course applications
If you switched industries (like I did, from electrical engineering to IT and web development), address it in your resume summary or cover letter. Don’t hide it. Explain why you made the change and what skills you bring from your previous field.
The worst thing you can do is leave unexplained gaps or try to fudge dates. Australian employers can check, and lying on your resume will get you rejected or fired. Just be honest and frame things positively.
Tailoring Your Resume for Different Jobs
This is crucial. The way you present your overseas experience should change depending on the job you’re applying for. I completely reformat my resume for different roles, and you should too.
For casual retail or hospitality jobs, your overseas degree is less important than your availability and work ethic. Keep the education section minimal (just degree name and institution) and focus your resume on any customer service experience, even if it was informal back home.
For warehouse or factory jobs, highlight any physical work, logistics, or operational experience from overseas. Mention specific tools or equipment you’ve used if relevant. Your electrical engineering degree doesn’t help much here, but if you did any practical work or internships involving machinery, mention it.
For professional jobs in your field, this is where your overseas education and experience really matter. Expand on your degree (include major projects or thesis topics), list all relevant work experience with detailed bullet points, and emphasise technical skills that match the job description.
I’ve written a detailed guide on how to tailor your resume for different jobs that’ll save you hours of rewriting. The point is, one resume doesn’t fit all applications. Adjust based on what each employer actually cares about.
Should You Get Your Degree Assessed?
For casual or entry-level jobs, no. Australian employers hiring students for retail, hospitality, or warehouse work don’t care about formal qualification assessments. They just want to see you have a degree and can work legally.
But if you’re applying for professional roles that require specific qualifications (engineering, healthcare, accounting, teaching), you might need your degree formally assessed by the relevant Australian authority. This proves your overseas qualification meets Australian standards.
Each profession has its own assessing body:
- Engineers Australia for engineering degrees
- CPA Australia or CA ANZ for accounting qualifications
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for healthcare
- Teaching boards vary by state
This costs money and takes time, so only do it if you’re serious about working in a regulated profession. For most IT, business, and general graduate roles, a formal assessment isn’t necessary. Your degree on its resume is enough.
The Reality Check
Look, I’m going to be honest with you. Your overseas degree and experience won’t carry the same weight as local qualifications when you first arrive. That’s just reality. Australian employers prefer local experience because it’s familiar and lower risk.
But that doesn’t mean your overseas background is worthless. It means you need to format it properly, highlight transferable skills, and be strategic about which jobs you apply for first. Start with jobs that don’t require local experience, build your Australian resume, then move into better roles.
I spent six months working casual jobs that had nothing to do with my engineering degree or web development experience. It sucked. But I used that time to build local references, understand Australian workplace culture, and eventually land my frontend developer internship. My overseas experience mattered in that final interview because I’d proven I could also succeed in Australia.
Your overseas qualifications got you here. Now format them properly, be patient, and trust that the right employer will recognise your value. Just make sure they can actually understand your resume first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include my overseas degree on my Australian resume if I’m now studying here?
Yes, always include it. Your overseas degree shows you completed a qualification before coming to Australia, which is valuable even if you’re now doing a Master’s or further study. Just list your Australian degree first (reverse chronological order), then your overseas qualification below it. Both matter.
How do I explain a three-year Bachelor’s degree from India on my resume when Australian degrees are four years?
You don’t need to explain it on your resume. Just list it normally as “Bachelor of [Subject]” with your institution and dates. If it comes up in an interview, you can mention that three-year degrees are standard in India and explain how your Master’s in Australia builds on that foundation. Most recruiters already know international education systems vary.
Can I leave the country name off my overseas degree if I’m worried about discrimination?
Technically you can, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Leaving off the location makes your education look suspicious or incomplete. If you’re worried about bias, focus on making your entire resume strong rather than hiding information. Besides, your name or visa status will likely indicate your background anyway, so trying to hide it rarely works.
Should I translate my job title if the direct translation sounds junior but the role was senior?
Use the Australian equivalent that best reflects your actual responsibilities, not the direct translation of your title. If you were a “Senior Executive” doing coordinator-level work, call yourself a Coordinator. If you were a “Team Lead” managing major projects, call yourself a Project Lead or Senior Developer. Match the title to the work you actually did, not what it was called locally.
Is it worth paying for a professional resume writer to help with my overseas qualifications?
Only if you’re struggling to get any interviews after dozens of applications. Most international students can format their overseas experience perfectly well using free resources and guides (like this one and my Australian-style resume guide). Save your money for more important things. If you’ve applied to 50+ jobs with zero responses, then maybe consider professional help.
Do I need to include graduation dates if my degree is several years old?
Yes, include the dates. Leaving them off looks like you’re hiding something or padding your resume. If you graduated five or ten years ago, that’s fine. It shows you have work experience after your degree. Just be prepared to explain what you did between then and now if there are gaps.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to list overseas degrees and experience on an Australian resume properly is one of those skills that seems complicated until you’ve done it a few times. Then it becomes second nature.
The key is clarity. Make it easy for recruiters to understand your background without making them work for it. Use clear formatting, translate into Australian-equivalent terms, and focus on results rather than just listing duties. Your overseas experience is valuable, but only if employers can actually understand what you bring to the table.
I still tweak my resume before every application, adjusting how I present my Bangladesh degree and international work depending on the job. It’s not about lying or hiding anything. It’s about emphasising what’s most relevant and making sure nothing confuses the person reading.
If you’re still working on your resume, check out my guides on power verbs and phrases for Australian resumes and how to talk about overseas experience in job applications. And if you’re applying for specific industries, I’ve got templates for retail, warehouse, and IT roles that show exactly how to position your overseas background.
List overseas degrees and experience on an Australian resume confidently. You earned those qualifications. Just make sure Australian recruiters can see that too.