Is “Referees available upon request” outdated in Australia?

Not entirely. It is still acceptable in the Australian job market, but many experienced recruiters already assume you can provide referees if needed. If space is limited, you can safely remove it.

Can I use a colleague instead of a manager as a referee?

Yes, if they worked closely with you and can speak credibly about your performance. However, direct managers or supervisors are generally viewed as stronger referees in Australia.

Should graduates include referees on a resume?

Graduates can include academic or internship referees if they have limited work experience, particularly when applying for structured graduate programs or public-sector roles.

When do recruiters usually contact referees in Australia?

Most recruiters contact referees near the end of the hiring process, usually after final interviews and before a formal offer is made.

Can a bad referee cost you a job offer?

Absolutely. Weak, vague, hesitant, or unprepared referees can create doubts about your performance, professionalism, or credibility, even after strong interviews.

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FAQ

Most Australian employers do not expect referees on resumes during the initial application stage. Referees are usually requested later in the hiring process after interviews or shortlist selection.

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Should You Include Referees on a Resume in Australia?

Most Australian employers do not expect referees on your resume. Learn when to include them, when to leave them off, and how recruiters actually use referee checks.

Should You Include Referees on a Resume in Australia?

In most cases, you should not include referees on your resume in Australia.

Australian recruiters and hiring managers usually expect referee details later in the hiring process, not during the initial application stage. Including full referee information on your resume often wastes valuable space, creates privacy issues for your referees, and can make your application look outdated.

The better approach for most Australian job seekers is either:

•
Leave referees off entirely
•
Or add a short line such as “Referees available upon request”

That said, there are important exceptions. Some industries, government roles, education positions, healthcare jobs, and senior leadership roles may expect referee details earlier in the process.

The key is understanding when referees help your application versus when they add no value at all. Recruiters do not assess referee sections the way most candidates think they do, and poor referee choices can quietly damage your chances.

This guide explains how referee expectations actually work in the Australian job market, when to include them, what recruiters look for during checks, and the mistakes that regularly cost candidates job offers.

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What Australian Recruiters Actually Expect

Most Australian recruiters spend very little time reviewing referee sections during the first screening stage.

Their priorities are usually:

•
Relevant experience
•
Resume clarity
•
Achievements and outcomes
•
Industry fit
•
Employment stability
•
ATS keyword alignment
•
Communication quality
•
Salary alignment

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When You Should NOT Include Referees on Your Resume

For most Australian private-sector jobs, leaving referees off is the strongest option.

This is especially true for:

•
Corporate roles
•
Professional services
•
Marketing and digital roles
•
Sales positions
•
Technology jobs
•
Finance and accounting roles
•
Administration roles
•
Operations positions
•
Customer service jobs
•
Mid-level management roles

There are several strategic reasons for this.

You Need the Resume Space for Higher-Value Content

Australian recruiters care far more about:

•
Achievements
•
Metrics
•
Commercial outcomes
•
Leadership evidence
•
Technical capability
•
Industry relevance

A referee section can easily consume valuable space that could instead strengthen:

•
Your professional summary
•
Key achievements
•
Role impact statements
•
ATS keywords
•
Technical skills

On a two-page Australian resume, every section must earn its place.

Referees usually do not.

It Creates Privacy and Professional Risks

Listing referee contact details publicly means:

•
Their personal information gets distributed widely
•
Their details may enter recruitment databases
•
They may receive unexpected calls
•
They may be contacted before you are ready

Good candidates protect their referees professionally.

Many hiring managers actually see unrestricted referee details as slightly outdated or unsophisticated.

Recruiters Usually Ask Later Anyway

Most Australian recruiters will request referees:

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After interviews
•
At final shortlist stage
•
Before verbal offer
•
During pre-employment checks

Providing them earlier rarely accelerates the process.

When You SHOULD Include Referees on Your Resume

There are situations where including referees can help.

The key is whether referee availability is part of the expected hiring culture within that sector.

Government and Public Sector Roles

Some Australian government applications explicitly request:

•
Referee details
•
Supervisor contacts
•
Current manager information

Ignoring this instruction can weaken your application.

Government recruitment processes tend to be:

•
More structured
•
More compliance-focused
•
More documentation-heavy

If the application requests referees, include them exactly as instructed.

Education and Teaching Roles

Schools and education employers often expect referee information upfront.

This commonly includes:

•
Principal references
•
Department head references
•
Teaching supervisor references

Child-safe hiring standards and compliance requirements make referee verification more important earlier in the process.

Healthcare and Aged Care Roles

Many healthcare employers in Australia place strong emphasis on:

•
Clinical references
•
Supervisor verification
•
Professional conduct confirmation

This is especially common for:

•
Nurses
•
Allied health professionals
•
Support workers
•
Aged care staff
•
Disability support workers

In these sectors, referee checks are often risk-management tools.

Senior Executive Roles

At executive level, referees carry more strategic weight.

For leadership hires, employers may use referee checks to assess:

•
Leadership credibility
•
Stakeholder management
•
Culture fit
•
Political capability
•
Decision-making style
•
Change management history

Strong executive referees can materially strengthen perceived credibility.

Should You Write “Referees Available Upon Request”?

Yes, but only if space allows.

In Australia, this phrase is still commonly accepted:

“Referees available upon request”

However, it is not essential.

Most recruiters already assume you can provide referees if shortlisted.

If your resume is tight on space, remove the line entirely.

When This Line Helps

It can still be useful when:

•
You are early-career
•
You have limited experience
•
You are transitioning industries
•
You want to subtly signal professionalism

When It Adds No Value

It becomes unnecessary when:

•
Your resume is already strong
•
Space is limited
•
You have substantial experience
•
The application system separately requests referees

What Recruiters Actually Look for in Referee Checks

This is where many candidates misunderstand the process.

Recruiters are not simply asking:

“Was this person good?”

They are assessing consistency, risk, and credibility.

The Main Questions Recruiters Want Answered

Australian recruiters typically use referee checks to confirm:

•
Would this person be rehired?
•
Were their achievements genuine?
•
How did they handle pressure?
•
Were they reliable?
•
How did they work with others?
•
Were there behavioural concerns?
•
Did they require excessive management?
•
Did they communicate effectively?
•
Did performance match interview claims?

This means referee quality matters far more than referee quantity.

The Best Referees to Use in Australia

The strongest referees are usually:

•
Direct managers
•
Senior leaders you reported to
•
Long-term supervisors
•
Stakeholders with hiring authority
•
Clients for consulting or agency roles

The best referee is someone who can speak specifically about:

•
Results
•
Behaviour
•
Reliability
•
Leadership
•
Performance under pressure

Referees That Often Hurt Candidates

Some referee choices create concerns immediately.

Friends or Personal Contacts

This weakens credibility instantly.

Australian employers expect professional referees unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Someone You Barely Worked With

Recruiters can usually tell quickly when a referee lacks genuine knowledge of your work.

This raises concerns about authenticity.

Outdated Referees

Using referees from 10 to 15 years ago can suggest:

•
Weak recent relationships
•
Poor recent performance
•
Limited current credibility

Referees Who Sound Unprepared

This is one of the biggest hidden risks.

If your referee:

•
Sounds surprised
•
Gives vague answers
•
Hesitates
•
Cannot explain your responsibilities clearly

It can quietly damage your application.

Always brief referees before they are contacted.

Should Your Current Manager Be a Referee?

This depends heavily on your situation.

In Australia, recruiters generally understand that candidates may not want current employers contacted too early.

You can say:

“I’m happy to provide my current manager as a referee later in the process.”

Most professional recruiters consider this completely reasonable.

When Using Your Current Manager Helps

It can strengthen your credibility if:

•
You have a strong relationship
•
Your employer already knows you are leaving
•
You are applying for senior roles
•
The market is highly competitive

When It Creates Risk

Avoid listing your current manager early if:

•
Your employer does not know you are job searching
•
Workplace relationships are unstable
•
Your departure could impact job security

How Many Referees Should You Have?

In Australia, the standard expectation is:

•
Two referees for most roles
•
Three for senior or government positions

More than three usually adds little value.

Quality matters more than quantity.

The Best Resume Format for Referees

If referees are requested, keep formatting clean and minimal.

Include:

•
Full name
•
Job title
•
Company
•
Relationship to you
•
Phone number
•
Email address

Good Example

Sarah Mitchell

Operations Manager | Westpac

Direct Manager

0412 345 678

sarah.mitchell@email.com

Weak Example

John

Friend from work

Available anytime

The second example damages professionalism immediately.

The Biggest Referee Mistakes Australian Candidates Make

Using Referees Without Permission

Never assume someone is happy to act as a referee.

Always ask first.

Choosing Seniority Over Relevance

A direct manager who knows your work well is usually stronger than:

•
A distant executive
•
A famous industry contact
•
A senior leader with limited exposure to your work

Specificity beats prestige.

Failing to Prepare Referees

Strong candidates prepare referees properly.

Before a check:

•
Explain the role
•
Share the job description
•
Clarify likely discussion areas
•
Update them on your recent achievements

This improves consistency dramatically.

Including Referees Too Early

Some candidates unintentionally expose their job search by distributing referee details too broadly.

This is especially risky in smaller Australian industries where networks overlap heavily.

Using Generic Referee Statements

If your referee says:

“They were good.”

That is weak.

Strong referees provide:

•
Specific examples
•
Performance evidence
•
Behavioural credibility
•
Clear endorsement

What Happens During Australian Referee Checks

Many candidates assume referee checks are quick formalities.

They often are not.

Experienced recruiters use referee conversations strategically.

Common Areas Covered

Recruiters frequently ask about:

•
Reliability
•
Attendance
•
Team behaviour
•
Leadership style
•
Accountability
•
Communication
•
Technical competence
•
Conflict management
•
Performance consistency

What Recruiters Listen for Carefully

Sometimes the most important signals are indirect.

Recruiters notice:

•
Tone hesitation
•
Lack of enthusiasm
•
Avoidance language
•
Generic praise without evidence
•
Overly cautious responses

These subtle cues can influence hiring decisions significantly.

Do ATS Systems Care About Referees?

Not really.

Applicant Tracking Systems primarily assess:

•
Keywords
•
Skills
•
Experience
•
Job titles
•
Industry alignment

A referee section rarely improves ATS performance.

This is another reason most Australian candidates should prioritise stronger resume content instead.

The Best Strategy for Most Australian Job Seekers

For most Australian professionals, the strongest approach is:

Early Career Candidates

Use:

“Referees available upon request”

Or leave referees off entirely.

Mid-Level Professionals

Leave referees off unless specifically requested.

Use the space for:

•
Achievements
•
Metrics
•
Commercial impact
•
Industry keywords

Senior Leaders

Prepare strong executive referees in advance but usually provide them later in the process unless specifically requested.

Government, Education, and Healthcare Applicants

Follow the application instructions exactly.

These sectors often treat referee information differently from private industry.

Should You Include Referees on a Resume in Australia?

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ATS-Friendly Resume Templates

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FAQ

Do Australian employers expect referees on resumes?

Is “Referees available upon request” outdated in Australia?

Can I use a colleague instead of a manager as a referee?

Should graduates include referees on a resume?

When do recruiters usually contact referees in Australia?

Can a bad referee cost you a job offer?

Build Your Resume in2 Minutes

Should You Include Referees on a Resume in Australia?

Most Australian employers do not expect referees on your resume. Learn when to include them, when to leave them off, and how recruiters actually use referee checks.

Should You Include Referees on a Resume in Australia?

What Australian Recruiters Actually Expect

Read more similar articles

When You Should NOT Include Referees on Your Resume

You Need the Resume Space for Higher-Value Content

It Creates Privacy and Professional Risks

Recruiters Usually Ask Later Anyway

When You SHOULD Include Referees on Your Resume

Government and Public Sector Roles

Education and Teaching Roles

Healthcare and Aged Care Roles

Senior Executive Roles

Should You Write “Referees Available Upon Request”?

When This Line Helps

When It Adds No Value

What Recruiters Actually Look for in Referee Checks

The Main Questions Recruiters Want Answered

The Best Referees to Use in Australia

Referees That Often Hurt Candidates

Friends or Personal Contacts

Someone You Barely Worked With

Outdated Referees

Referees Who Sound Unprepared

Should Your Current Manager Be a Referee?

When Using Your Current Manager Helps

When It Creates Risk

How Many Referees Should You Have?

The Best Resume Format for Referees

Good Example

Weak Example

The Biggest Referee Mistakes Australian Candidates Make

Using Referees Without Permission

Choosing Seniority Over Relevance

Failing to Prepare Referees

Including Referees Too Early

Using Generic Referee Statements

What Happens During Australian Referee Checks

Common Areas Covered

What Recruiters Listen for Carefully

Do ATS Systems Care About Referees?

The Best Strategy for Most Australian Job Seekers

Early Career Candidates

Mid-Level Professionals

Senior Leaders

Government, Education, and Healthcare Applicants

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