Australia Covering Letter Format (2026 Guide for Job Seekers)
If you’re applying for roles in Australia, getting the Australia covering letter format right can be the difference between a quick shortlist and a quiet rejection. Australian hiring managers prefer clear, concise, and relevant cover letters that match the job ad and reflect local conventions. Below you’ll find a complete, plain-English guide you can copy, adapt, and use today.
What Is an Australian Covering Letter and Why It Matters
An Australian covering letter (often called a “cover letter”) is a short document that sits in front of your resume. Its goal is to explain why you’re applying, show how you fit the role, and make it easy for a recruiter to see your value. A great letter proves you understand the job, the company, and the outcomes they care about—without making them dig through your resume first.
Because most employers skim applications quickly, your letter should be no longer than one page. Focus on relevance, clarity, and proof. The best letters are targeted, use the right keywords, and link your experience to the employer’s needs.
Standard Australia Covering Letter Format: The Essentials
Use the following structure for a clean, professional letter that meets Australian expectations:
- Header and Contact Details (your name, city/state, phone, email, LinkedIn)
- Date (day month year format, e.g., 16 January 2026)
- Employer Details (hiring manager’s name, company, city/state)
- Greeting (personalised where possible)
- Opening Paragraph (role you’re applying for and your top-line fit)
- Body Paragraphs (two or three short paragraphs linking achievements to selection criteria)
- Closing Paragraph (call to action and availability)
- Sign-off (“Kind regards” or “Sincerely,” plus your name)
Keep paragraphs short (3–5 lines), use white space, and mirror the employer’s language from the job ad. This ensures your letter is readable and aligned with expectations in Australia.
Cover Letter Layout and Styling That Works in Australia
- Length: One page, ideally 250–400 words.
- Font: A clean sans-serif (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica) at 10.5–12 pt.
- Margins: About 2–2.5 cm; keep generous white space.
- Alignment: Left-aligned text; avoid multi-column layouts.
- File Type: PDF for emailing; DOCX if the portal asks for it.
- Tone: Professional, friendly, and concise—Australian employers prefer straightforward language.
Design-wise, less is more. Avoid heavy colour, icons, and graphics. Consistency with your resume’s style is helpful, but the covering letter should prioritise clarity over flair.
How to Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Job Ad
In Australia, tailoring is expected. Recruiters want to see that you read the advertisement and can meet the stated requirements. Here’s a quick method:
- Highlight keywords in the ad (skills, tools, certifications, outcomes).
- Match your proof to those keywords (metrics, projects, results).
- Use the employer’s language (e.g., “WHS” not “OHS” if they write WHS).
- Address the “why now?”—why this company, role, and industry at this time.
This approach keeps your covering letter specific, believable, and aligned with Australian selection criteria methods, especially in government and large organisations.
ATS-Friendly Tips for Your Australia Covering Letter Format
While cover letters are often read by humans first, many applicant portals still store and scan them. Keep the formatting simple so your letter remains machine-readable:
- Use standard headings and simple text—no tables or text boxes.
- Include relevant keywords naturally (software, frameworks, certifications, role titles).
- Save as text-based PDF (not a scanned image) when emailing directly.
- Use Australian spelling (organise, summarise, recognise) unless the employer uses American spelling consistently.
Professional Greeting and Header Conventions
Whenever possible, address your letter to a person. If the job ad includes a name, use it (with the correct title). If you can’t find a name, “Dear Hiring Manager” is widely accepted.
- Correct: Dear Ms Nguyen,
- Correct: Dear Hiring Manager,
- Avoid: To whom it may concern, (too generic in most cases)
Make sure your contact details are at the top and easy to find: full name, city/state (not full address), phone, email, and LinkedIn.
How to Write a Strong Opening Paragraph
Your opening should state the role, where you saw it, and a punchy reason you’re a match. Keep it crisp. In the first two lines, show you’ve done your homework and you understand the role’s core outcomes. This signals relevance and sets up the rest of the letter.
Body Paragraphs That Demonstrate Proof (STAR Method)
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to turn duties into achievements:
- Situation: Short context.
- Task: What you needed to achieve.
- Action: What you actually did.
- Result: The measurable outcome.
Bundle one or two STAR mini-stories into your body paragraphs. Each story should map to a key requirement in the ad—technical expertise, stakeholder management, safety, service delivery, project outcomes, or compliance.
Closing the Letter With Confidence
End with a short, positive closing: reiterate your fit, mention your availability, and invite next steps. Thank the reader for their time. Australian tone is confident yet modest; avoid over-selling or pushy language.
Personalisation Without Fluff
Personalisation doesn’t mean repeating the company’s “About Us” page. Instead, pick one or two points that connect your experience to the employer’s mission, industry, or current projects. Mention relevant tech stacks, regulatory frameworks, or service standards the company prioritises. Keep it authentic and brief.
How to Address Selection Criteria in a Cover Letter
Government and many not-for-profit roles in Australia use selection criteria. If the ad asks you to address criteria in the cover letter (instead of a separate document), use short subheadings or bolded phrases followed by clear, one-paragraph examples. Prioritise what the ad lists first, and keep each response tight (4–6 lines).
Common Mistakes to Avoid in the Australia Covering Letter Format
- Generic letters: Not tailored to the role or ad.
- Too long: Anything beyond one page usually gets skimmed and skipped.
- Duty lists: Repeating your resume duties instead of providing results.
- Buzzwords without proof: “Strategic,” “dynamic,” “results-driven” with no evidence.
- Formatting gimmicks: Icons, multiple columns, or dense blocks of text.
- Errors: Typos, US spelling, or wrong company name.
Example: Australia Covering Letter Format (Copy-Ready)
Use the following model as a starting point and adapt to your situation:
Header
First Lastname | City, State (e.g., Brisbane, QLD) | 04xx xxx xxx | you@email.com | linkedin.com/in/yourname
Date: 16 January 2026
Hiring Manager Name
Company Name
City, State
Dear Ms Nguyen,
I’m applying for the Project Coordinator role advertised on SEEK. With five years’ experience across construction and facilities projects in Queensland, I bring strong scheduling, vendor coordination, and WHS documentation skills that align closely with your requirements.
In my current role at BlueStone Projects, I coordinate site schedules across three concurrent builds. By tightening handover processes and implementing a daily risk register, I reduced delays by 18% and improved audit readiness, with zero non-conformances in 2025. I’m confident this experience translates well to your projects, particularly those with strict milestone controls.
I’m drawn to Company Name’s reputation for client-focused delivery and continuous improvement. I’m comfortable juggling priorities, liaising with contractors, and preparing status updates for stakeholders. I also hold a current White Card and have advanced Excel skills for cost tracking and reporting.
I’d welcome the chance to discuss how my coordination experience and safety mindset can support your 2026 pipeline. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Kind regards,
First Lastname
Variant Example: Customer Service Covering Letter (Concise)
Dear Hiring Manager,
I’m excited to apply for the Customer Service Officer role at BrightCare. Over three years, I’ve supported high-volume contact centres, maintaining a 95% CSAT and resolving email queries within 24 hours. At Pacific Utilities, I helped streamline our knowledge base, cutting average handle time by 30 seconds while lifting first-call resolution.
I’m known for calm communication, accurate data entry, and empathy with customers under pressure. I’m confident I can contribute to BrightCare’s service standards and your team’s culture. I look forward to speaking with you.
Sincerely,
First Lastname
How to Adapt the Australia Covering Letter Format for Career Changers
If you’re shifting industries or roles, lead with relevance:
- Open with a value bridge: The specific ways your past achievements transfer.
- Emphasise recent learning: Certifications, short courses, or volunteer projects in the new field.
- Show results, not tasks: Quantify outcomes that matter to the new employer (time saved, revenue supported, quality improved, risks reduced).
Career changers often benefit from a short skills matrix in the body paragraph (3–5 bullets) that maps the job’s key requirements to your relevant experience.
Graduates and Early-Career Applicants: Keep It Focused
For graduates and early-career applicants, keep the letter tight and practical. Highlight internships, projects, placements, casual roles with transferable skills, and extracurricular leadership. Mention your degree once; then spend most of your letter proving how you operate in real-world settings (deadlines, teamwork, communication, safety, customer outcomes).
Senior and Executive Candidates: Strategy and Stakeholders
At senior levels, your covering letter should concentrate on strategic impact, stakeholder leadership, budget accountability, governance, and transformation outcomes. Select two achievements that mirror the advertised challenges—e.g., leading a multi-year change, turning around an under-performing unit, or delivering regulatory compliance under time pressure. Keep the language crisp and the metrics front-and-centre.
Addressing Salary, Availability, and Work Rights
Unless the ad requests it, avoid including salary expectations in the letter. Availability can be mentioned briefly (e.g., “available with two weeks’ notice”). If work rights are relevant (e.g., visa status), one line near the end is sufficient: “I hold full Australian work rights.”
Formatting Examples: Quick Reference
| Element | Australian Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Length | 1 page (250–400 words) |
| Greeting | Use a name if available; “Dear Hiring Manager” if not |
| Tone | Professional, friendly, and specific to the role |
| Structure | Header, Date, Employer, Greeting, 3–4 paragraphs, Sign-off |
| Keywords | Mirror the job ad and local terminology (e.g., WHS, EBA, APS levels) |
| File | PDF for email; DOCX for portals that require it |
How the Australia Covering Letter Format Works With Your Resume
Your covering letter should complement—not repeat—your resume. Use the letter to set context and highlight two or three proof points. Then let your resume carry the full detail of your employment history, responsibilities, and technical skills. Keep formatting consistent (same font family and basic styling) to present a cohesive application.
Keyword Strategy for Australian Covering Letters
Keywords help with both human scanning and ATS matching. Pull 6–10 terms straight from the job ad—tools, frameworks, compliance standards, role titles, and essential soft skills. Drop them naturally into your opening and body paragraphs. Don’t stuff; do prioritise the most critical ones that appear repeatedly in the ad.
Editing and Proofreading Checklist
- Use Australian spelling consistently (organisation, licence, enrol).
- Check company name and job title—twice.
- Trim filler words; aim for tight sentences.
- Read aloud for flow; fix long or awkward lines.
- Check dates and numbers; quantify wherever possible.
- Test export to PDF to ensure line breaks and spacing look clean.
Useful Phrases You Can Borrow
- “I’m applying for the [Role Title] role advertised on [Platform].”
- “I bring [X] years of experience across [function/industry] with a focus on [outcome].”
- “Recently, I [action], which led to [result/metric].”
- “I’m confident I can support [team/project] by [specific contribution].”
- “Thank you for your time; I welcome the opportunity to discuss my application.”
Short Template You Can Paste Into an Email
Subject: Application – Project Coordinator (Ref 12345) – First Lastname
Dear Hiring Manager,
Please find my resume and cover letter attached for the Project Coordinator role (Ref 12345). I bring five years’ experience coordinating construction schedules, preparing WHS documentation, and supporting vendor relationships. I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your 2026 pipeline.
Kind regards,
First Lastname
Brisbane, QLD | 04xx xxx xxx | linkedin.com/in/yourname
Industry-Specific Pointers (Quick Wins)
- Trades & Construction: Emphasise WHS, tool proficiency, site coordination, and incident-free records.
- Professional Services: Highlight client outcomes, stakeholder management, and billable or utilisation impact if relevant.
- Government/APS: Reflect capabilities and selection criteria language; mention policy, governance, and integrity.
- Healthcare: Patient outcomes, compliance (AHPRA where applicable), and teamwork across multidisciplinary settings.
- Tech & Data: Tools, frameworks, delivery methodology (Agile), and measurable performance improvements.
- Retail & Customer Service: CSAT, NPS, AHT, upsell/cross-sell, and conflict resolution examples.
When to Include Extras (And When Not To)
Occasionally, the ad will ask for extras—availability dates, work rights, driver’s licence class, or security clearances. Add these in the closing paragraph or as a one-line postscript. Otherwise, keep the letter streamlined and direct the reader to your resume for deeper detail.
Ethical and Inclusive Language in Australian Applications
Australian workplaces value respectful, inclusive communication. Keep your letter free of assumptions about background, age, or circumstances. Focus on capability and outcomes. If you are seeking adjustments in the process, a simple line in the closing paragraph is enough: “If possible, please let me know about any reasonable adjustments available during the interview process.”
Where to Learn More
For style and clarity guidance widely used across Australian government and industry, see the Australian Government’s Style Manual. It’s a great reference for spelling, capitalisation, dates, and tone.
Australian Government Style Manual
FAQs About the Australia Covering Letter Format
1) How long should my covering letter be in Australia?
One page is the norm—about 250–400 words. Recruiters skim quickly, so keep paragraphs short and focus on proof, not prose.
2) Do I need to include my full street address?
No. City and state (e.g., “Melbourne, VIC”) are sufficient. Include your phone, email, and LinkedIn.
3) Should I repeat my entire resume in the letter?
No. Use the letter to highlight two or three points that directly match the role. Your resume carries the detail.
4) What greeting should I use if there’s no name?
“Dear Hiring Manager,” is widely accepted. If the ad lists a department, you can address it to that team (e.g., “Dear Talent Acquisition Team,”).
5) PDF or DOCX—which file format is best?
For email, PDF preserves layout. For portals, follow the instructions—many ask for DOCX. If in doubt, have both ready.
6) How do I reference salary and availability?
Only include salary expectations if requested. Availability can be one simple line near the close (e.g., “available with two weeks’ notice”).
7) Can I use AI to draft my covering letter?
Yes, as a starting point. Always tailor, verify facts, and edit for tone and accuracy. Make sure the achievements and metrics are genuine.
8) Do I need a different covering letter for every job?
Yes—at least a light retarget. Swap in the employer’s keywords, align one or two examples to their requirements, and update your opening paragraph.
Put the Australia Covering Letter Format to Work
The Australia covering letter format is simple: one page, clear structure, concrete proof, and language that mirrors the job ad. Start with a personalised greeting, deliver two or three targeted achievements, and close with a confident call to action. Keep the design clean, the tone professional, and the examples measurable. Do that, and your letter will earn attention—so your resume gets the deeper read it deserves.
