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Referees on a resume: who to choose and how to list them

Australian employers often call referees. Who to choose, how to ask them and how to list them on your resume.

3 min readUpdated 13 November 2026Written with the help of AI

In Australia, employers often call referees before making an offer. Choosing them well can make the difference at the last step.

Who to choose

  • A recent manager or supervisor is best.
  • A senior colleague who knows your work well.
  • For a first job: a teacher, coach or volunteer coordinator.

Avoid family and friends.

Ask first

Always ask permission, tell them which job you applied for and what the employer may ask about. Give them a copy of your resume.

How to list them

Name, job title, company, phone and email, plus how they know you (for example "my manager at Woolworths, 2022 to 2024"). If you prefer to keep their details private, write "Referees available on request".

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