How to write a cover letter for Australian employers

In Australia, most job ads ask for a resume and a cover letter. Recruiters often read the cover letter first to decide whether your resume is worth a closer look, so a generic letter can cost you an interview even when your experience is a good fit. This guide shows you how to write one that matches what Australian employers expect.

What an Australian cover letter is for

Your resume lists what you have done. Your cover letter explains why you are applying for this particular role and why you are a good match for it. It should connect two or three of your strongest achievements to the needs described in the job ad, in a friendly but professional tone.

Australian employers tend to value a direct, down to earth style. Confidence is good, but overselling or flowery language usually reads badly. Write as you would speak in a polite first conversation with a manager.

Length and format

• Keep it to one page, usually three to five short paragraphs.
• Use the same font and header as your resume so the two documents look like a set.
• Save it as a PDF unless the ad asks for a Word file, and give it a clear name such as Jane-Smith-Cover-Letter.pdf.
• If you apply through an online form with a text box, paste a shorter version of the same letter.

A simple structure that works

1. Greeting

Address the hiring manager by name when the ad gives one. If it doesn't, "Dear Hiring Manager" is fine. Avoid "To whom it may concern", which feels dated.

2. Opening paragraph

Name the role, where you saw it and a one-line summary of why you suit it. Skip the life story.

3. One or two middle paragraphs

Pick the two or three requirements in the ad that matter most and show evidence for each one. Use numbers when you have them: customers served, budgets managed, time saved, sales grown. If the ad lists key selection criteria, the cover letter is a good place to address the most important ones briefly, then cover all of them in a separate statement if the employer asks for one. Our guide to selection criteria explains how.

4. Closing paragraph

Show that you know something about the organisation, say you would welcome an interview and mention your availability. Sign off with "Kind regards" followed by your full name and phone number.

Tailor every letter

Recruiters can spot a copy and paste letter in seconds. For each application, change at least the opening, the examples you choose and the closing. Reuse the same keywords as the job ad where they are true for you: many employers use applicant tracking systems that scan for them. See our guide to ATS-friendly resumes for more on this.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Repeating your resume line by line instead of adding context.
• Writing about what the job will do for you rather than what you will bring to the team.
• Getting the company name or job title wrong, often a leftover from a previous application.
• Using American spelling. Write organisation, colour and recognise.
• Leaving typos. Read the letter aloud, then ask someone else to check it.

What if you have little experience?

Students, graduates and career changers can draw on part-time work, volunteering, sport, university projects or caring responsibilities. Focus on transferable skills such as reliability, teamwork and customer service, and give a short example for each. Showing genuine interest in the industry and a willingness to learn goes a long way for entry-level roles.

Pair it with a strong resume

A great cover letter gets your resume read, so make sure the resume is just as polished. You can build a free Australian resume in a few minutes, then use this guide to write a cover letter that matches it.