Resume Checklist for Australian Job Applications: Printable Guide

I sent out 47 job applications before someone finally told me my resume had basic formatting errors. Not typos or grammar mistakes. Basic stuff like inconsistent spacing, dates that didn’t make sense, and bullet points that weren’t actually aligned. I’d been staring at the same document for weeks and completely missed it all.

That’s when I made my first resume checklist for Australian job applications. Just a simple list of things to verify before hitting send. Contact details correct? Check. Dates in order? Check. No weird fonts? Check. It felt almost too basic, but using that checklist started getting me interviews.

Three years later, I’ve refined that checklist dozens of times. I’ve used it for casual retail jobs, warehouse work, and professional IT roles. I’ve shared it with mates who’ve landed everything from hospitality positions to graduate programs. The current version has 47 specific items across five categories, and I still use it before every single application.

Here’s the complete resume checklist for Australian job applications that actually works. I’ve organised it so you can print it, tick off items as you go, and never send another resume with obvious mistakes that get you filtered out.

Why You Need a Checklist (Even If You Think Your Resume Is Perfect)

You can’t proofread your own resume effectively. I don’t care how careful you are. After reading the same document 20 times, your brain stops seeing what’s actually there and starts seeing what you think is there.

I once sent a resume to 15 jobs with my email address spelled wrong. Fifteen applications. Nobody could reply even if they wanted to. I only noticed when a mate pointed it out while helping me with something else.

A checklist forces you to examine each element systematically instead of just reading through and assuming everything’s fine. It catches the stupid mistakes that eliminate you before anyone even reads your actual experience.

Australian recruiters are drowning in applications. They’re looking for reasons to reject you, not reasons to interview you. If your resume has basic errors, formatting inconsistencies, or missing information, you’re out. A checklist prevents that.

The Master Resume Checklist (Complete Version)

Here’s the full checklist I use. I’ve organised it into sections so you can focus on one area at a time. Go through every item, even the ones that seem obvious.

Section 1: Basic Contact Information

These seem simple, but I’ve seen students mess up every single one.

• Full name is at the top (not in the header where it might get cut off by ATS systems)
• Phone number includes your actual mobile number (not your home country number)
• Phone number is in Australian format (+61 4XX XXX XXX or 04XX XXX XXX)
• Email address is professional (firstname.lastname@gmail.com, not partykid2003@hotmail.com)
• Email address is spelled correctly (triple-check this, seriously)
• LinkedIn profile included if relevant (for professional roles only, not needed for casual jobs)
• Portfolio or GitHub link included if relevant (for IT, design, or technical roles)
• No physical address (suburb and state are fine, but full street address is outdated and risky)
• Contact details all fit on one line or in a small header (don’t waste half a page on this)

I learned about the phone number format the hard way. I kept my Bangladesh number format on my resume for the first two months and wondered why nobody called. Australian employers expect Australian phone numbers. Make it easy for them.

Section 2: Formatting and Visual Consistency

This is where most international students fail without realising it. Small inconsistencies make your resume look careless.

• One consistent font throughout (Calibri, Arial, or similar professional fonts)
• Font size between 10-12 points for body text (11 is ideal)
• Consistent heading sizes (all H1 headings the same size, all H2 headings the same size)
• Consistent bold and italic usage (if you bold job titles, bold all job titles)
• Margins are reasonable (2-2.5cm on all sides, not squeezed to fit more text)
• White space between sections (your resume needs room to breathe)
• All bullet points use the same style (all circles, all dashes, or all squares, not mixed)
• Bullet points are actually aligned (check this carefully, minor misalignment looks sloppy)
• No weird colours (black text on white background for 95% of jobs)
• Saved as PDF (not Word doc, unless specifically requested)
• File named professionally (Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf, not resume_final_v3_NEW.pdf)

Open your resume and zoom in. Look at the spacing between lines, between sections, between bullet points. Is it consistent? If you have 12pt spacing after one heading and 6pt after another, that’s inconsistent. Fix it.

I cover more formatting basics in my Australian-style resume guide with visual examples.

Section 3: Content Structure and Order

The structure of your resume matters almost as much as the content. Australian employers expect information in a specific order.

• Name and contact details at the top
• Brief profile or summary (optional but recommended for professional roles)
• Experience section before education (unless you’re a fresh graduate with no work experience)
• Most recent experience listed first (reverse chronological order)
• Each job includes: job title, company name, location, dates
• Dates are formatted consistently (Mon YYYY – Mon YYYY or MM/YYYY – MM/YYYY, pick one)
• No unexplained gaps (if you took time off, note it briefly: “Career break – visa preparation”)
• Education section includes: degree name, institution, location, dates
• No high school details if you have a university degree
• Skills section near the end (technical skills, languages, certifications)
• No references section (just remove it entirely, provide references when asked)
• Length appropriate for experience level (1 page for <5 years experience, 2 pages maximum)

The order matters because recruiters skim from top to bottom. Put your strongest, most relevant information first. If your casual café job from three years ago is still in the top section above your current IT internship, that’s wrong. Reorder it.

Section 4: Job Descriptions and Bullet Points

This is where your actual experience gets described. Every bullet point should follow the same rules.

• Every bullet point starts with an action verb (no “responsible for” or “duties included”)
• Past tense for previous jobs, present tense for current job
• Specific numbers included where possible (50+ customers, 200 orders, 30% improvement)
• Each bullet describes what you did, not just your duties
• Achievement-focused rather than task-focused
• 2-4 bullet points per job (not 7+ bullet points for one casual retail role)
• Bullet points are concise (1-2 lines maximum per point)
• No generic phrases (“excellent communication skills” without examples)
• Relevant skills match the job you’re applying for (tailor this for each application)
• Technical terms spelled correctly (JavaScript not Javascript, WordPress not WordPress)

Compare these:

❌ “Responsible for serving customers and handling complaints”

✅ “Served 40+ customers daily while resolving complaints and maintaining 95% satisfaction rating”

The second version uses an action verb, includes numbers, and focuses on results. That’s what Australian recruiters want to see.

I wrote a detailed guide on power verbs and phrases that shows exactly which words work best.

Section 5: Overseas Qualifications and Experience

This section is specifically for international students who need to present overseas degrees and work experience clearly.

• Overseas degrees written in English (full translation, not abbreviations)
• Institution name in full (not just initials or acronyms)
• Location includes city and country (Australian recruiters don’t know where your university is)
• No explanations like “equivalent to Australian Bachelor” (just list it properly)
• Overseas job titles use Australian equivalents where clearer (not direct translations)
• Overseas company names include brief context if needed (“ABC Tech, mid-sized consultancy in Mumbai”)
• All dates clear and unambiguous (MM/YYYY format prevents confusion)
• Visa status mentioned if relevant (especially for professional roles)

If you studied overseas, your degree matters but Australian employers need to understand it immediately. Don’t make them guess what “B.Tech CSE” means. Write “Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering” in full.

Check my complete guide on how to list overseas degrees and experience for more examples.

Section 6: Language and Grammar

Australian English has its own spelling and conventions. Using American English or inconsistent spelling makes you look careless.

• Australian spelling throughout (colour not color, organisation not organization)
• Consistent date format (don’t mix DD/MM/YYYY and MM/DD/YYYY)
• No American terminology (resume not résumé, CV is less common in casual contexts)
• Currency clear when mentioned (AUD or $ with context)
• No spelling errors (use spell check but also manual review)
• No grammar mistakes (get someone else to proofread)
• Acronyms explained on first use (if needed, though often better to just spell things out)
• Consistent verb tenses (not mixing past and present randomly)

Run your resume through spell check with Australian English selected. Then read it aloud sentence by sentence. Errors you missed reading silently often jump out when spoken.

Section 7: What NOT to Include

Just as important as what you include is what you leave out. These items don’t belong on Australian resumes.

• No photo (unless you’re in a field where appearance matters, like modelling or acting)
• No date of birth or age
• No marital status
• No religion
• No nationality (your visa status if relevant, but not nationality)
• No hobbies (unless genuinely relevant to the job, which is rare)
• No “references available upon request” (this is assumed, don’t waste space)
• No high school details (if you have a university degree)
• No irrelevant work from 10+ years ago (unless it’s directly relevant)
• No salary expectations (save this for interviews)
• No reasons for leaving previous jobs (address in interview if asked)

I see international students include photos, dates of birth, and marital status all the time. Australian employers don’t want this information and including it can actually hurt you. Remove it all.

The Quick Pre-Send Checklist (5 Minutes)

If you’re in a rush and can’t go through the full checklist, use this abbreviated version before every application. These are the most common mistakes that eliminate candidates immediately.

• Company name and job title correct (if you copied from another application, did you update these?)
• Contact details correct (email and phone actually work)
• File saved as PDF with professional name
• No typos in the first three lines (recruiters often stop reading after finding errors early)
• Dates make sense chronologically (nothing overlaps weirdly or has gaps unexplained)
• Most relevant experience is prominent (not buried at the bottom)
• Resume is actually attached (laugh, but people forget this constantly)

I can’t tell you how many times the quick checklist has caught stupid mistakes seconds before sending. Check the company name especially. Sending a resume that says you’re excited to work at Company A when applying to Company B is instant rejection.

Tailoring Checklist: Different Jobs Need Different Resumes

Your resume shouldn’t be identical for every application. Here’s what to check when tailoring for different job types.

For Casual Retail/Hospitality Jobs:

• Availability clearly stated (in cover letter or top of resume)
• Customer service experience prominent
• Any cash handling or POS system experience mentioned
• RSA certificate noted if you have it (for hospitality)
• Focus on reliability and flexibility
• Resume kept to one page maximum

For Warehouse/Factory Jobs:

• Physical capabilities mentioned (comfortable with lifting, standing, repetitive work)
• Any forklift or machinery licenses listed
• Production targets or efficiency mentioned (if you’ve met them)
• Shift flexibility noted (early mornings, weekends)
• Safety awareness or training included
• Previous warehouse experience detailed (with specific tasks)

For Professional/Graduate Roles:

• Relevant technical skills prominently listed
• University projects or thesis work included (if lacking professional experience)
• LinkedIn profile included
• Portfolio or GitHub links added (for technical roles)
• Visa status addressed (proactively mention work rights)
• Professional summary included (2-3 lines explaining your focus)
• Keywords from job description incorporated (naturally, not forced)

I completely restructure my resume depending on whether I’m applying for casual work or IT roles. The content is the same, but the emphasis changes dramatically. Learn how to do this properly in my guide on tailoring your resume for different jobs.

The Final Visual Check

After going through all the content checks, do a final visual review. Print your resume or view it at 100% zoom on screen.

Visual Check Items:

• Scan the whole page (does anything look weird or misaligned?)
• Check all spacing (consistent gaps between sections?)
• Look at margins (text not crammed to the edges?)
• Review white space (enough breathing room, not too dense?)
• Verify alignment (everything lines up properly?)
• Check for orphaned words (single words on a line by themselves at the end of bullets)
• Test on different devices (looks correct on both computer and phone?)
• Compare to examples (does yours look as professional as resume templates you’ve seen?)

Print it if you can. Errors you miss on screen often jump out on paper. Look at the overall impression before diving into details. Does it look clean and professional, or cluttered and messy?

Common Mistakes This Checklist Catches

I’ve used this checklist to help dozens of people fix their resumes. These are the mistakes that come up constantly.

Dates that don’t make sense. Someone lists a job as “Jan 2023 – Present” but elsewhere mentions they’re still studying full-time in another city during that period. Check that your timeline is logical.

Inconsistent formatting. Bold on some job titles but not others. Dates aligned right in one section, aligned left in another. Month spelled out for one job (January 2023) but abbreviated for another (Jan 2024). Pick a format and stick with it everywhere.

Oversized education section. I see fresh graduates who list every subject they took in their degree, making the education section half the page. Nobody cares about your individual subjects unless they’re directly relevant to the role. Just list the degree name, institution, and date.

Vague bullet points. “Assisted with various tasks” or “Helped with customer service” proves nothing. Every bullet should be specific with examples or numbers.

Wrong keywords for the role. Applying for a warehouse job but your resume focuses on your academic achievements and research skills. For each application, the most relevant experience should be most prominent.

File naming disasters. “resume_new_final_FINAL_v2_USE_THIS_ONE.docx” looks unprofessional before they even open it. Always: Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf

I wrote about more of these issues in my common resume mistakes article with specific fixes.

How to Actually Use This Checklist

Don’t try to check everything at once. That’s overwhelming and you’ll miss things. Here’s my process:

First pass: Content and structure (15 minutes) Go through sections 1, 3, and 4. Make sure your content is in the right order, includes all necessary information, and follows basic rules about bullet points and descriptions.

Second pass: Formatting and visual (10 minutes) Focus on section 2 and the visual check. Fix spacing, alignment, fonts, margins. Make everything consistent.

Third pass: Language and details (10 minutes) Check section 6 for grammar and spelling. Verify overseas qualifications are clear (section 5). Remove anything from section 7 that shouldn’t be there.

Final pass: Tailoring and quick check (5 minutes) Tailor for the specific job using the relevant subsection. Do the quick pre-send check. Send.

Total time: 40 minutes for a thorough check. If you’re reusing a recent resume and just tailoring, the quick check alone takes 5 minutes.

Adapting the Checklist for Your Situation

Not every item on this checklist applies to every person or every job. Adapt it to your circumstances.

If you’re a fresh graduate with no work experience: Focus heavily on your degree, relevant coursework, university projects, and any volunteer work or extracurriculars. You can include more education details than someone with 5 years of work experience would.

If you have extensive overseas experience: Pay extra attention to section 5. Make sure everything translates clearly to Australian context without needing explanation. Consider getting someone familiar with Australian job market to review how you’ve presented your overseas background.

If you’re applying for creative roles: You can be slightly more flexible with design and formatting. Colours, graphics, or creative layouts might actually be appropriate. But still follow the basic content structure.

If you’re applying for highly technical roles: Your skills section becomes more important. Consider listing specific technologies, frameworks, languages, and tools prominently. Include GitHub, portfolio, or technical blog links.

Creating Your Own Printable Version

You can turn this checklist into a printed document to use physically. Here’s how I format mine:

Create a simple document with checkboxes next to each item. Group items by section as I’ve done here. Leave space for notes next to major items where you might need to track what needs fixing.

Print it double-sided to save paper. Keep it next to your computer when working on job applications. Tick off items as you verify them. Use a pen to note issues you find that need fixing.

I keep a digital version in Google Docs that I duplicate for each major application. I add notes about what I tailored for that specific role, so I can refer back later if needed. You can do the same or keep it simple with just a printed checklist.

The One-Page vs Two-Page Decision

This checklist assumes your resume length is appropriate, but let me address this specifically because students always ask.

Use one page if:

• You’re applying for casual jobs (retail, hospitality, warehouse)
• You have less than 3 years of professional experience
• You’re a recent graduate
• The job doesn’t require extensive technical skills listing

Use two pages if:

• You have 5+ years of professional experience
• You’re applying for senior or specialised roles
• You have extensive technical skills that need listing (for IT roles)
• You’ve held multiple relevant positions that all deserve space

Never go to two pages just by increasing font size or adding more white space. If your content doesn’t naturally fill two pages, keep it to one. More on this in my one-page vs two-page resume guide.

Specific Examples by Job Type

Let me show you how to apply this checklist to different job types with specific examples.

Example: Casual Retail Resume Checklist

When I was applying for retail jobs, these were my priority checks:

✓ Contact details clear and phone number Australian format
✓ Availability mentioned in cover letter (not resume)
✓ Any customer service experience in first two bullet points
✓ Numbers included (customers served, products stocked)
✓ “Available weekends and evenings” if true
✓ Resume one page maximum
✓ Education section minimal (just degree name and institution)
✓ No overly technical or academic language

See a full retail resume example in my retail resume guide.

Example: IT/Technical Role Checklist

For my frontend developer applications, I focus on:

✓ GitHub and portfolio links in contact section
✓ Skills section prominent with specific technologies
✓ Projects described with technologies used and outcomes
✓ Technical terms spelled correctly (React not react, GitHub not Github)
✓ Visa status mentioned briefly (for longer-term roles)
✓ Code examples or live project links included
✓ Focus on what I built, not what I learned

Full technical resume examples in my IT resume template guide.

When to Update Your Master Resume

I have a “master resume” that includes everything I’ve ever done. Then I create tailored versions for each application by removing irrelevant items and reordering content. The master resume needs updating regularly.

Update your master resume when:

• You start or finish any job (even casual work)
• You complete a significant project or achievement
• You gain a new certification or qualification
• You develop proficiency in a new tool or technology
• Your visa status changes
• Your contact details change

I update mine monthly even if nothing major has changed. Just reviewing it regularly keeps it fresh in my mind and makes tailoring for new applications faster.

The Harsh Reality About Resume Perfection

Here’s the truth: you can have a perfect resume and still not get interviews. The resume gets you through the first filter, nothing more. It won’t compensate for lack of relevant experience or applying for jobs you’re not qualified for.

But having a bad resume will definitely cost you interviews for jobs you could get. That’s why the checklist matters. It eliminates the preventable mistakes that filter you out before anyone even considers your qualifications.

I’ve gotten rejected with perfect resumes and I’ve gotten interviews with mediocre ones. The resume is necessary but not sufficient. Use this checklist to make sure your resume isn’t the reason you’re being rejected, then focus on gaining experience and applying strategically.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I spend on each resume before sending it?

For a completely new resume, 2-3 hours to write it properly, then 30-40 minutes going through this full checklist. For tailoring an existing resume to a new job, 15-20 minutes including the quick checklist. Don’t spend hours perfecting every application, but don’t rush and send it without checking either.

Should I get someone else to review my resume using this checklist?

Yes, if possible. You’ll miss mistakes on your own resume no matter how careful you are. A friend or classmate using this checklist will catch things you don’t see. Return the favour by checking their resume too. I still ask mates to proofread mine before major applications.

Do I need to go through the full checklist every single time I apply for a job?

No. Use the full checklist when creating a new resume or making major updates. For applications where you’re only changing a few details, the quick 5-minute checklist is fine. But at minimum, always check the company name is correct, dates make sense, and there are no typos in the first few lines.

What if my resume doesn’t meet all the checklist items because of my limited experience?

Focus on what you do have rather than what you lack. If you don’t have work experience, emphasise education, projects, volunteering, or relevant coursework. The checklist is about formatting and presentation, not about requiring specific experience. Make what you have look professional and well-organised.

Can I use this checklist for cover letters too?

Some items apply (contact details correct, company name right, no typos, saved as PDF), but cover letters need their own checklist. I’ve written examples of good and bad cover letters with specific advice on what to check before sending those.

Is it worth using resume checking tools or AI to review my resume?

They can catch basic spelling and grammar errors, but they don’t understand Australian job market conventions or what actually makes a resume effective. Use them as a supplement to this checklist, not a replacement. Human review by someone who knows the Australian market is more valuable.

Final Thoughts

A good resume checklist for Australian job applications saves you from self-sabotaging your own applications. Most resume mistakes aren’t about writing quality or content, they’re about preventable errors that make recruiters reject you in 10 seconds.

I still use this checklist before every application even though I’ve written dozens of resumes. It takes 5-40 minutes depending on how much I’m changing, and it catches mistakes every single time. The items that seem most obvious are often the ones you miss.

Print this checklist. Use it systematically. Don’t skip items because they seem too basic. That’s when you make mistakes. Check everything, especially the things you’re sure are correct.

If you’re building your resume from scratch, start with my Australian-style resume guide to understand the structure, then use this checklist to verify everything is correct. If you’re struggling with specific sections, I’ve written detailed guides on listing overseas experience, choosing the right action verbs, and tailoring for different jobs.

The resume checklist for Australian job applications in this article covers everything recruiters actually check. Use it properly and you’ll never send another resume with obvious mistakes that eliminate you before anyone reads your qualifications. That’s half the battle right there.