Resume references can become an awkward problem when you are applying quietly, returning to work or unsure who could speak about your experience. For an Australian job application, start with the employer’s instructions. Include referee details when they are requested, choose people who can discuss relevant work, and ask permission before sharing their contact information.
There is no useful blanket rule that every resume must include references or that references must always be left off. A government application may request them in the resume, in the online form or later in the recruitment process. The important decision is where the information belongs in this particular application.
Should you put references on a resume?
If the advertisement asks for a resume including two referees, provide those details in the document. “References available on request” does not supply the information requested. If the employer asks for referees in separate portal fields, complete those fields and check whether the resume also needs them. When no referee details are requested, you can keep a prepared reference list ready for the next stage.
In the Team 3Thirty government resume format, Referees sits after Qualifications and Certifications and before Professional Experience. That is a recommended document arrangement, rather than a rule imposed on every Australian applicant. The job advertisement and application instructions take priority.
When do they contact referees?
Normally, referee checks happen near the very end of the recruitment process, after the interview and other assessments, when the employer is seriously considering you for the role. For a standard NSW Government vacancy, this is often one of the final steps before an offer. Have your referees ready before you reach this stage, and let them know when you have completed an interview so they can respond promptly.
Some larger bulk recruitment campaigns bring referee checks forward to avoid delays when they are processing many candidates. Checks may overlap with other assessments or be completed for several suitable applicants. The timing therefore needs to be read alongside the type of recruitment: filling one specific vacancy gives you a different signal from a campaign building a large pool of candidates.
My referees have been contacted. Did I get the job?
Probably yes, if this is a standard recruitment for a specific vacancy and you are the preferred candidate. In Team 3Thirty’s recruitment experience, referee checks at that stage nearly always lead to an offer. You can be cautiously optimistic: the employer is investing time in checking the evidence behind your application and interview. That is a strong positive sign.
The qualification matters. A panel can check more than one leading candidate, and the final decision may still depend on the referee feedback, approval and other required checks. A large bulk recruitment campaign may also check several suitable candidates before allocating roles. Wait for the formal offer and its conditions before making commitments such as resigning from your current job.
Could referee checks lead to a talent pool instead of a job offer?
Yes. In our experience, some hiring managers complete referee checks before placing a suitable candidate in a talent pool, so contact alone cannot confirm an immediate offer. The NSW Government’s current talent-pool guidance says referee checks are not needed to add someone to a pool and can be completed later when that person is being considered for a role. Agencies can therefore differ in when they arrange them.
If you are unsure which process applies, ask the recruitment contact: “Are these referee checks for appointment to this vacancy, or for inclusion in a talent pool?” That gives you a more useful answer than trying to infer the decision from an automated reference-check email. Our NSW Government talent-pool guide explains what pool membership means and how it differs from an offer.
Who should you choose as a referee?
Choose someone who has observed work relevant to the position. A recent supervisor may be able to discuss how you handled deadlines, checked records, responded to feedback or supported a team. A colleague can sometimes offer useful evidence, but check whether the employer specifically requires a manager or supervisor. A well-known name contributes little if the person cannot describe your work.
The NSW Government guide to reference checks recommends contacting referees before giving out their details and explaining the role once they agree. It also identifies teachers or faculty members as possible referees for recent graduates. The suitable choice still depends on the employer’s requirements and the experience the referee can verify.
A practical test is to ask yourself what this person could actually say. Could they discuss the project you describe in your application? Do they know the level of responsibility you held? Have they seen your work recently enough to give a useful account? Choose for the evidence they can provide, rather than the seniority of their title.
How to list referees on a resume
A compact reference entry usually needs the person’s name, position, organisation, relationship to you and agreed contact details. Include the contact method they prefer, and check spelling and numbers before submitting. Use their current title and organisation; you can explain separately where they supervised you if they have since changed employers.
Fictional formatting example: Priya Shah, Operations Manager, Example Services. Relationship: supervised my administration work from 2023 to 2025. Contact: agreed work email and phone number.
Replace every element with accurate information supplied or confirmed by your referee. Do not invent a phone number, use a colleague’s personal contact details without permission or assume an old email address still works. A reference entry should help the recruiter identify the person and understand why their perspective is relevant.
What if your current manager does not know you are applying?
Read the referee requirement before deciding how to handle this. If the employer asks for a current manager and you need to keep the application confidential, contact the recruitment officer to discuss whether an alternative referee is acceptable and when contact would occur. Do this early enough to resolve the requirement before the deadline.
You can explain the concern plainly: “My current manager is not aware of this application. Would a recent former supervisor be suitable at this stage, and could we discuss timing before any current-manager contact?” That is a request for an arrangement, rather than a guarantee that the employer will follow it. Record the response and provide information consistent with what was agreed.
A note beside a referee’s name is useful only if it accurately describes the arrangement. Avoid assuming that writing “do not contact” overrides the recruitment process. Keep the recruiter and referee informed, while sharing only the information needed for the application.
What if you have little recent work experience?
Look for people who have observed relevant activity: a placement supervisor, volunteer coordinator, course supervisor or manager from a substantial casual role. Explain the relationship honestly. A course supervisor may be able to discuss research, collaboration and follow-through, but should not be presented as your employment manager.
If the requested type of referee is unavailable, ask the recruitment contact about alternatives. Do not fill the gap with an impressive title belonging to someone who barely knows you. For the rest of the document, our government graduate resume guide shows how to identify useful evidence without overstating experience.
Help your referee prepare an accurate account
Send the advertisement, role description and final version of your application after they agree to act. Mention the examples that relate to work they actually observed. You might remind them of a records improvement, customer issue or team project, and explain the responsibilities you are hoping to demonstrate.
Give them context without scripting praise or asking them to support claims they cannot verify. If an achievement was a team effort, your application and their account should both make your contribution clear. Let them know when you reach a new assessment stage, and thank them for their time regardless of the outcome.
Check the referee section before submitting
- Have you supplied the number and type of referees requested?
- Has each person agreed to act and confirmed their contact details?
- Is the relationship accurate and relevant to this role?
- Have any contact sensitivities been discussed with recruitment?
- Do the resume and portal fields contain consistent information?
Your referees should support a truthful application built around the role. If you have selected a NSW Government vacancy and want help preparing the documents, Team 3Thirty’s Complete Government Application prepares the required written application for one role for $497 including GST, using your real experience. You review the pack and submit it yourself.