Do You Need References on a Resume in Australia?

8 min read

Do you need to put references on your resume?

It's one of those questions where Australian job seekers can receive completely different answers depending on who they ask.

One person says:

"Always include two referees."

Another says:

"Never put referee details on your resume."

Then somebody confidently tells you to write:

"References available upon request."

So who's right?

Annoyingly, there isn't one compulsory rule.

Australian employment guidance generally agrees that you should have suitable referees ready.

Where the advice differs is whether their contact details need to appear on the resume itself.

The practical answer is:

Have your referees organised, follow the employer's application instructions and don't distribute somebody else's contact details unnecessarily if they haven't been requested.

Let's break that down.

First: what's the difference between a referee and a reference?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but technically:

A referee is the person an employer contacts.

A reference is the information that person provides about you.

For example:

Referee: Your previous manager, Sarah.

Reference: Sarah confirms what you did, how you performed and what you were like to work with.

In everyday job-search language, you'll hear both terms used.

Are referees still used in Australian recruitment?

Yes.

Reference checking remains a common part of Australian recruitment.

Employers or recruiters may contact referees to confirm things such as:

• where you worked

• what your responsibilities were

• how you performed

• your reliability

• your strengths

• how you worked with others

• potentially why you left

A reference check will often happen later in the recruitment process when an employer is seriously considering you.

That means you should have suitable people organised before you reach that point.

You don't want to finish a great interview, be asked for two referees and suddenly realise the last time you spoke to your former manager was during the reign of the iPhone 6.

Do your referees need to be listed on your resume?

Not necessarily.

This is where Australian guidance varies.

Workforce Australia recommends including referee contact details as part of a resume and advises job seekers to obtain permission before doing so.

Some recruitment professionals take a different approach.

They recommend keeping referee contact details private until an employer or recruiter specifically requests them.

There are good reasons for both approaches.

Including referee details can be useful when:

• the job advertisement specifically asks for them

• the application instructions require them

• you're applying through a system that requests them

• you're comfortable sharing the details

• your referees have agreed to their information being included

Waiting until they're requested can be useful when:

• the employer hasn't asked for them

• you're distributing your resume widely

• your referee would prefer their contact information kept private

• you don't want recruiters contacting somebody before you're ready

• you want to brief your referee about each opportunity before they're contacted

So rather than following an absolute rule, use the application instructions as your starting point.

If the employer asks for referees, provide them.

If they don't, it's reasonable to keep those details ready to supply later.

Do you need to write "References available upon request"?

You can.

But you don't have to.

Writing:

References available upon request

tells the employer that you have suitable referees ready without publishing their contact details.

Some Australian recruiters still recommend this approach.

But it isn't compulsory.

Employers already understand that they can ask shortlisted candidates for referee details.

So if you're desperately trying to fit your resume onto two readable pages, you don't need to sacrifice half a section simply to tell them references exist.

You could:

Option 1: List your referees if requested.

Option 2: Write "References available upon request."

Option 3: Leave the referee section off entirely and provide details when requested.

Which option is best depends on the application.

If you're also wrestling with the overall page count, see How Long Should a Resume Be in Australia?

How many referees should you have?

Having at least two suitable referees ready is a sensible approach.

Some employers may only contact one.

Others may request two or more.

The important part isn't collecting the largest number possible.

It's choosing people who can genuinely speak about your work, skills or suitability.

Two strong referees are considerably more useful than five people who barely remember you.

Who makes a good referee?

Usually, the strongest referee is somebody who has directly supervised your work.

That might be a:

• previous manager

• supervisor

• team leader

• business owner

• work experience supervisor

• volunteer coordinator

They should know enough about your work to answer meaningful questions.

Ideally, they can talk about things such as:

• your responsibilities

• quality of work

• reliability

• communication

• teamwork

• strengths

• achievements

• ability to learn

• how you handled responsibility

A prestigious job title isn't particularly useful if the person barely knows who you are.

Choose relevance over status.

Can a colleague be a referee?

Possibly, but a direct supervisor is generally stronger.

A former colleague may know your work extremely well, particularly if you worked closely together.

But employers often prefer someone who supervised or managed you because they can usually comment more directly on your performance and responsibilities.

If you don't have access to a former manager, choose the strongest appropriate alternative available.

What if you've never had a job?

You can still have referees.

This is particularly relevant for:

• school students

• first-time job seekers

• graduates

• people with limited work history

• people returning to the workforce

Depending on your situation, you might ask a:

• teacher

• lecturer

• sports coach

• work experience supervisor

• volunteer coordinator

• community group leader

The person should know you well enough to say something meaningful about qualities relevant to employment.

For example:

• reliability

• responsibility

• communication

• teamwork

• initiative

• willingness to learn

• attendance

• organisation

You don't need to manufacture employment experience you don't have.

Use people who can genuinely speak about how you approach responsibility.

Can a friend or family member be your referee?

Usually, they're not the strongest choice.

An employer is likely to give more weight to someone who knows you through:

• work

• education

• volunteering

• community involvement

• another structured environment

Your mum saying you're brilliant has certain methodological weaknesses.

She's your mum.

If you genuinely have no professional referee, a suitable character referee may sometimes be appropriate.

But avoid relatives where possible.

If you're unsure, think:

"Can this person give an employer credible examples of how I behave when I'm responsible for something?"

That's considerably more useful than:

"Does this person like me?"

What if you've had a career break?

A career break can make choosing referees feel awkward, particularly if several years have passed since your last paid role.

Don't automatically assume your old referees are unusable.

A previous manager may still be appropriate if they:

• remember your work

• are comfortable providing a reference

• can speak accurately about your responsibilities and performance

Contact them first.

Remind them:

• when you worked together

• what your role was

• what sort of jobs you're applying for now

You may also have developed newer referees through:

• volunteering

• study

• community involvement

• contract work

• projects

If you're returning after time away, our How to Write a Resume After a Career Break in Australia covers how to present the rest of your experience too.

What if you're changing careers?

Your referee doesn't necessarily need to work in your new industry.

They need to be able to speak credibly about capabilities relevant to the job.

For example, if you're moving from hospitality management into administration, your previous manager might be able to confirm your:

• organisation

• scheduling

• communication

• leadership

• customer service

• problem-solving

• reliability

Those skills can still matter even though the industry has changed.

Your referee is supporting your evidence, not magically transforming your previous job into a different one.

For more on making those connections in your resume, see How to Write a Career Change Resume in Australia.

Should you use your current manager as a referee?

Only if you're comfortable with them knowing you're looking for another job.

This is important.

If your current employer doesn't know you're job hunting, don't casually put your manager's phone number on every resume you send.

Instead, you may be able to use:

• a previous manager

• former supervisor

• another appropriate professional referee

If an employer specifically requests your current manager, you can discuss the situation with the recruiter or hiring manager.

You can explain that your current employer isn't aware of your job search and ask whether another referee can be used initially.

Don't create unnecessary workplace drama purely because a resume template had two blank referee boxes at the bottom.

Always ask before listing someone

Never nominate someone as a referee without asking them.

Apart from basic courtesy, you need to know:

Are they actually willing to recommend you?

Ask them directly.

For example:

"I'm applying for some administration roles and wondered whether you'd be comfortable acting as a referee for me?"

That gives the person room to say yes or no.

A reluctant referee is not something you want discovering during the actual reference check.

Also confirm:

• their current job title

• organisation

• preferred phone number

• email address

• how they'd like their details provided

Then keep those details current.

Tell your referee when they might be contacted

Don't obtain permission in 2021 and assume that covers every job application indefinitely.

When you reach the stage where an employer is likely to contact them, give your referee a quick heads-up.

Tell them:

• the organisation

• the role

• why you're interested

• what the employer appears to value

• who may contact them, if you know

You can also send them the job advertisement or position description.

You're not telling them what to say.

You're helping them understand the opportunity they're being asked about.

That can be particularly useful if it's been several years since you worked together.

Should you give your referee your resume?

It can be helpful.

A current copy of your resume reminds them:

• how you're presenting your experience

• relevant roles

• achievements

• your career direction

Again, you're not writing their answers for them.

You're giving them context.

What information should you provide if referees are requested?

Typically, provide:

Full name
Job title
Organisation
Relationship to you
Phone number
Email address

For example:

Sarah Williams
Operations Manager
Example Company
Former direct manager
0400 000 000
sarah@example.com

Only provide details your referee has agreed for you to share.

And double-check everything before submitting it.

A referee section containing a disconnected phone number isn't doing anyone much good.

Will employers contact referees before interviewing you?

They can, depending on the recruitment process, but reference checks are commonly undertaken later when an employer is seriously considering a candidate.

That's another reason some applicants prefer not to publish referee contact details on every resume.

If you're concerned about when a referee may be contacted, ask the recruiter or employer.

A perfectly reasonable question is:

"Could you let me know before contacting my referees so I can give them a heads-up?"

This is particularly important if one of your referees is connected to your current workplace.

What if you don't want an employer contacting a particular workplace?

Don't nominate somebody simply because they're your most recent employer.

Choose referees who can speak appropriately about your work.

There can be many legitimate reasons someone doesn't want a previous employer contacted.

If you're asked specifically for a referee from a particular workplace and that isn't possible or appropriate, explain the situation briefly and offer an alternative.

You don't need to include a detailed history of workplace conflict in the application.

Keep the conversation practical.

What if you've lost contact with all your old managers?

It happens.

People change jobs.

Businesses close.

Managers retire.

Contact details disappear.

Start by thinking more broadly.

Could an appropriate referee be a:

• former team leader

• supervisor

• senior colleague

• client

• volunteer coordinator

• lecturer

• work experience supervisor

The best option will depend on your circumstances and what the employer is asking for.

And if you've been out of paid employment for some time, don't overlook credible people who have supervised recent volunteering, study or community work.

Can LinkedIn recommendations replace referees?

Not usually.

A LinkedIn recommendation can support your professional profile.

It can provide social proof that other people value your work.

But it isn't the same as an employer directly speaking with someone and asking questions relevant to the specific role.

Treat LinkedIn recommendations as useful supporting evidence rather than a replacement for having suitable referees.

Should your referee section take up half a page?

No.

If referee details are requested, keep them clear and concise.

Don't write lengthy biographies explaining why each person thinks you're wonderful.

And if they haven't been requested, consider whether the space could be better used for:

• relevant experience

• skills

• achievements

• qualifications

Your resume should still focus primarily on you.

Before you nominate your referees

Run through this quick check:

Have I asked them?

They know you're using them and have agreed.

Do they know my work?

They can speak credibly about your skills, performance or character.

Are they appropriate?

Their relationship to you makes sense for the type of reference required.

Are their details current?

Phone number, email and job information are correct.

Do they know what I'm applying for?

Give them context when they're likely to be contacted.

Have I followed the employer's instructions?

If the application specifically requests referee details, provide them.

If it doesn't, decide whether including them is necessary.

So, do you need references on an Australian resume?

You should have suitable referees ready.

Whether their contact details need to appear directly on the resume depends on the application.

For a practical approach:

1. Choose at least two suitable referees.

2. Ask their permission.

3. Keep their contact details current.

4. Follow the instructions in the job advertisement.

5. If details aren't requested, consider protecting your referees' privacy and providing them later.

6. Give your referees a heads-up before they're contacted.

Your referees are an important part of your application.

But their phone numbers don't need to travel around the internet attached to every resume you send unless there's a reason for them to be there.

Before you apply

If you're working through the rest of your resume as well, start with How to Write a Resume in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide.

You can also use Elevana's free Resume Checklist for a final review before submitting an application.

And if you want step-by-step guidance building, tailoring and checking the whole resume, Resume Ready takes you through the process using practical Australian examples.

Explore Resume Ready →