Best Resume Format for Australian Jobs in 2026

The Three Main Resume Formats

• Chronological: lists work experience in reverse chronological order — most widely accepted in Australia
• Functional: leads with skills rather than work history — viewed with suspicion by many Australian recruiters and ATS systems
• Combination: opens with a skills summary followed by chronological work history — works well for career changers

Which Resume Format Do Australian Employers Prefer?

The reverse chronological format is strongly preferred by Australian employers and recruiters. It's also the most ATS-friendly format. Unless you have a specific reason to use a different format, stick with chronological.

Resume Design — How Much Is Too Much?

For most Australian industries, a clean and simple design outperforms a heavily designed resume. Use one or two colours maximum, a professional font, clear section headings, and consistent spacing. Avoid photos, graphics, icons, and decorative elements — these add no value and can confuse ATS systems.

Industry-Specific Format Considerations

• Creative industries (design, marketing): more tolerance for visually distinctive resumes
• Technical roles (engineering, IT, finance): favour clean, information-dense formats
• Government and healthcare: use the most conservative, straightforward format possible

File Format — PDF or Word?

Submit as PDF unless the job ad specifically requests Word. PDF preserves your formatting across all devices and operating systems. Word documents can render differently depending on the recipient's software version.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best resume format for Australian employers?

The reverse chronological format is strongly preferred by Australian employers and recruitment agencies. It lists your most recent role first and is the most ATS-friendly format. Unless you have a specific reason — such as a career change — stick with chronological.

Should I use a functional resume format in Australia?

No. Functional resumes — which lead with skills rather than work history — are viewed with suspicion by most Australian recruiters and ATS systems. Many recruiters assume candidates using this format are trying to hide something, such as gaps in employment or limited relevant experience.

What file format should I submit my Australian resume in — PDF or Word?

Submit your resume as a PDF unless the job ad specifically requests a Word document. PDF preserves your formatting across all devices and operating systems. Only submit a Word document if the employer explicitly asks for it or the ATS is known to have trouble reading PDFs.

How much design is too much on an Australian resume?

For most Australian industries, a clean and simple design outperforms a heavily designed resume. Use one or two colours maximum, a professional font, and clear headings. Avoid photos, graphics, icons, and columns — these add no value and can confuse ATS systems used by most Australian employers.

Resume Templates for Australian Jobs

ProfessionalResume.au offers 10 professionally designed resume templates built specifically for the Australian job market — from clean and minimal to executive and government styles. Download as PDF or DOCX, free to use. When you're ready to apply, most Australian roles are advertised on SEEK — make sure your resume is in the right format before you submit.