Writing a Cover Letter for Australian Job Applications

A cover letter is your chance to explain, in your own words, why you are applying for a specific role and why your background fits it. Many jobseekers either skip it when it is optional or rely on a generic template that says little about the actual job. This guide covers how Australian employers generally expect a cover letter to look, how to structure one, and how to avoid the most common weaknesses that make a letter forgettable.

When to include a cover letter

If a job ad asks for a cover letter, always include one — skipping it when it is requested can read as not following instructions. If the ad does not mention one, including a short, genuinely relevant letter is still usually worthwhile, as long as it adds real information rather than repeating your résumé.

Some online application forms include a separate text box for a cover letter or summary message rather than a file upload. Treat this the same way as a formal letter: keep the structure and tone consistent, even though it may not be formatted as a traditional printed document.

Format and length

Australian cover letters are typically kept to one page, formatted on A4, and set in the same font and style as your résumé so the two documents look like a matched set. Address the letter to a named person where you can find one, and use a formal but natural greeting if you cannot.

One page, A4, matching font and layout to your résumé
"Dear Ms Nguyen," if you have a name, or "Dear Hiring Manager," if you do not
A clear subject line or heading naming the role and reference number if one is given

Save the file with a clear name, such as your full name followed by the words cover letter and the role title, so the recruiter can identify it easily among many applications. This small detail is easy to overlook but makes a practical difference once a hiring manager is sorting through a folder of files.

The opening paragraph

Open by stating the role you are applying for and where you saw it advertised, then move quickly into a sentence or two about why you are a strong fit. Avoid opening with a generic line like "I am writing to apply for this position", which tells the reader nothing they did not already know from the subject line.

Fictional example — sample data

A specific opening paragraph

I am writing to apply for the Administration Officer role advertised on Seek (ref: AO-2291). With three years’ experience coordinating office operations for a busy allied health clinic, I am confident I can bring the same organisation and attention to detail to your front-of-house team.

The middle paragraphs: connect your experience to the role

Use the body of the letter to draw direct lines between two or three requirements in the job ad and specific examples from your experience. Avoid simply restating your résumé in sentence form — instead, pick the points that matter most for this particular role and explain them with a little more context than a bullet point allows.

Fictional example — sample data

Connecting a requirement to real experience

The ad notes that this role involves managing competing deadlines across multiple departments. In my current position, I coordinate meeting schedules and correspondence for three clinical teams simultaneously, which has taught me to prioritise clearly and communicate delays early rather than letting them surprise anyone.

Choose two or three requirements from the ad, not every one
Use a short, concrete example for each, not a general claim
Mention the employer or industry briefly to show you have read about them

If you are changing industries or returning to work after a break, this is also the place to briefly and confidently explain how your background is still relevant, rather than leaving the hiring manager to guess or assume a gap reflects poorly on you.

The closing paragraph

End with a brief statement of enthusiasm for the role, a note that your résumé is attached, and an offer to discuss your application further. Keep this paragraph short and avoid overly formal or old-fashioned phrases that can feel stiff in a modern application.

Fictional example — sample data

A simple, direct closing

I have attached my résumé for your consideration and would welcome the chance to discuss how my experience could support your team. Thank you for your time in reviewing my application.

Tone and honesty

Keep the tone professional but conversational, similar to how you would speak in a calm first meeting. Every claim in the letter should be something you can back up at interview, in the same way as your résumé — a cover letter that overstates your enthusiasm or experience can create an awkward mismatch once the conversation gets specific.

Avoid language that sounds inflated or overly formal for the sake of sounding impressive, such as describing a routine task as a major achievement. A measured, accurate description of your experience tends to build more trust with a reader than exaggerated phrasing, which can read as a sign the application was not written carefully.

Common cover letter mistakes

Reusing the exact same letter for every application without changing the role or employer details
Restating the résumé point by point instead of adding new context
Opening with a vague line that does not name the role or company
Writing more than one page when the content does not need it
Leaving in a placeholder like "[Company Name]" from a template

Checklist before you send your cover letter

Review this list before attaching your cover letter to a job application.

Addressed to a named person where possible, otherwise a neutral formal greeting
States the exact role title and reference number from the ad
Connects two or three specific requirements to real examples from my experience
Kept to one page on A4, matching the résumé’s font and style
No leftover placeholder text or details from a different application
Every claim in the letter is something I can discuss confidently at interview