Australian CV Referees: List Them or Say 'On Request'?

Australian CV referees cause more second-guessing than almost any other section. Should you list two names with phone numbers, or write "Referees available on request" and move on? Both are common on SEEK, and neither is wrong in every case. The right choice depends on the role you are applying for, your career stage and whether your current employer knows you are looking.

This guide sets out which option suits which role type. It also covers how to format the section, what to ask your referees and how the convention differs if you are applying from, or to, other countries.

A quick note on wording: Australians usually say "resume" rather than "CV", and SEEK job ads use both. They mean the same document here. This post uses "CV" throughout.

Australian CV referees: the short answer

In Australia, reference checks are a normal part of hiring, and they usually happen late in the process, after interviews. That is why many employers do not need referee details on the first application.

A practical rule of thumb:

• List your referees in full when you are early in your career, applying for hands-on roles where speed matters, or when the job ad asks for them.
• Write "available on request" when you are senior, currently employed and searching quietly, or applying through a recruiter.
• Always follow the ad. If the ad or the application form asks for referee details, provide them, whatever your usual preference.

The instruction in the job ad beats any general convention, including the advice in this post.

Which option suits your role type

The table below summarises the most common situations. Treat it as a starting point, not a fixed rule.

Role type	Suggested approach	Why
Graduate, intern, first job	List 2 referees	Shows you have people willing to vouch for you; fills a thin CV usefully
Retail, hospitality, warehouse, casual	List 2 referees	Hiring is often fast; managers may call quickly
Trades and construction	List 2 referees	Supervisors and site managers are often called early
Office, admin, mid-level professional	Either; "on request" is fine	Checks usually come after interview
Senior, management, executive	"On request"	Protects referees' time and your confidentiality
Applying via a recruitment agency	"On request"	The recruiter usually manages reference checks
Public sector (federal, state, local)	Follow the application instructions	Forms often have their own referee fields
Healthcare, education, childcare	Follow the instructions; be ready early	Checks can be detailed and may sit alongside other screening

Graduates and entry-level roles

If you have limited work history, a named referees section can add credibility. A lecturer, internship supervisor, part-time manager or volunteer coordinator all work, provided they actually know your work and have agreed to be listed.

Avoid family members and friends. Australian employers generally expect a referee to have supervised or worked closely with you.

Casual, hospitality, retail and trades

In these roles, a manager may shortlist and call within a day or two. Having the referee details already on your CV removes a step. Keep it brief: name, role, workplace, phone and email.

Mid-level and senior professionals

Once you have several years of experience, page space is better spent on achievements. "Referees available on request" is widely understood and signals you have them ready.

If you are currently employed, this also stops a new employer contacting your manager before you are ready. You can tell a recruiter or hiring manager which referees they may contact, and when.

Public sector applications

Government roles often use online forms with separate fields for referees, plus a statement addressing selection criteria. In that case, your CV does not need a referees section at all, because the form collects it. Read the applicant information pack carefully; it usually explains what is required.

Healthcare, education and childcare

These sectors often require recent supervisor references, sometimes alongside registration or working-with-children checks. Requirements vary by state and employer, so check the job ad and the relevant official state or territory government website rather than relying on general advice.

How to format the referees section

Whichever option you choose, keep the section at the end of your CV.

Template: full referees section

Referees

Jane Nguyen – Operations Manager, Harbour Logistics, Sydney Relationship: Direct manager, 2022–2024 Phone: 04XX XXX XXX | Email: jane.nguyen@example.com

Tom Fraser – Senior Lecturer, School of Business, [University] Relationship: Final-year project supervisor, 2023 Phone: 04XX XXX XXX | Email: t.fraser@example.com

Two referees is the usual number. Include the relationship line; it tells the employer immediately why this person's view matters.

Template: available on request

Referees

Available on request.

That is all you need. Some applicants add a line such as "Two professional referees, including a current manager, available on request". That is fine if it is true, and it gives a little more reassurance.

What not to do

• Don't list someone without asking them first.
• Don't include a referee's personal mobile number unless they have agreed to share it.
• Don't list a referee who has not supervised or worked with you, just because their title sounds impressive.
• Don't write "References available on request" and then struggle to supply them. Have names ready before you apply.

On the last point, honesty matters here as much as anywhere else on your CV. A reference check can quickly reveal inflated job titles or dates. If you are tempted to stretch the truth, read our post on whether it is ever OK to lie on your CV first.

SEEK applications: a practical approach

Most SEEK applications involve uploading a CV, sometimes a cover letter, and answering any screening questions the employer has set. Some employers ask about referees in those questions or later in their own systems.

A simple process:

1. Read the ad end to end. Look for phrases like "please include two referees" or "referee details will be requested at interview".
2. Keep two versions of your CV. One with full referee details, one with "available on request". Swap based on the role type table above.
3. Prepare a referee sheet. Keep a one-page document with full details you can send as soon as you are asked.
4. Don't repeat yourself. If the form has referee fields, you can safely remove the section from your CV for that application.

If you are tailoring a CV for each SEEK ad, it helps to check that your experience section reflects the language of the ad, as long as the wording truthfully describes what you have done. QuickApplyPilot's CV checker gives its own estimate of how closely your CV matches a job ad; it is not the score any employer's applicant tracking system would produce, and it cannot predict a hiring outcome.

Preparing your referees

A referee who is surprised by a call is far less helpful than one who is expecting it. Before you apply:

• Ask permission and confirm their preferred phone number and email.
• Send them the job ad once you reach interview stage, so they know what the role involves.
• Remind them of specifics: a project you led, a problem you solved, dates you worked together.
• Tell them who may call and roughly when.
• Thank them afterwards, whatever the outcome.

Reference checkers in Australia often ask about your strengths, areas for development, reliability and whether the referee would work with you again. It is reasonable to talk this through with your referee in advance, but never script what they say.

If you are preparing for the interviews that usually come before reference checks, our interview preparation tool can help you practise STAR-style answers.

A note on privacy

Referee details are personal information. Australia's Privacy Act sets rules for how organisations handle personal information; the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner explains the basics. This is general information only, not legal advice. In practice, the simplest step is to get your referee's consent before sharing their contact details.

How this differs in other countries

If you are applying to Australian roles from overseas, or moving between markets, the convention changes:

• Australia: Both full referees and "available on request" are common. Choose by role type and follow the ad.
• UK: Many applicants leave referees off the CV or write "available on request". References are usually taken after an offer, and some employers only confirm dates and job titles.
• US: Referees are rarely included on the resume itself. Applicants typically keep a separate reference list to supply when asked, and the "available on request" line is often seen as unnecessary.
• Canada: Similar to the US: a separate references page provided on request is the norm.
• Nigeria: Listing referees directly on the CV is still common, often including a senior professional or academic. See our guide to the Nigerian CV format by employer for detail.

If you are a Nigerian, UK or North American applicant targeting Australian employers, remove any personal details that are not expected in Australia (such as date of birth or a photo) and decide on referees using the role-type guidance above.

Quick checklist before you hit apply

• I have read the job ad for any referee instructions.
• I have chosen full details or "on request" based on the role type.
• Both referees have agreed to be listed and know I am applying.
• Each referee has supervised or worked closely with me.
• Contact details are current and shared with consent.
• Job titles and dates on my CV match what my referees would confirm.
• I have a separate referee sheet ready to send on request.

Getting the referees section right will not win you a job on its own, but getting it wrong can create avoidable friction. Match the section to the role, keep it honest and have your people ready.