Electrician and trades CV for Australia
For electrician and trades jobs in Australia, lead with State electrical licence. Employers usually expect a CV on A4 paper, most recent experience first. Length: 2–4 pages is normal. Employers there usually leave out a photo, date of birth and marital status. If you are not a citizen, your right to work or visa status is usually stated.
Build an electrician and trades CV for AustraliaYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Registration and licences
| Electricians | State electrical licence |
|---|---|
| Plumbers | State plumbing licence |
| Gas engineers | State gas fitting licence |
| HVAC technicians | ARCtick refrigerant handling licence |
Put it near the top of the CV. If you are still applying, list it with the status “In progress” and the date you applied. Confirm current requirements with the regulator before you apply.
Sections to include
| Section (in this order) | How important |
|---|---|
| Licences, tickets & cards | Expected |
| Skills, tools & equipment | Expected |
| Experience | Expected |
| Apprenticeship & training | Recommended |
Length: 2–4 pages is normal.
Personal details in Australia
| What it is called | Curriculum Vitae |
|---|---|
| Length | 2–4 pages is normal |
| Paper size | A4 |
| Layout | Tabular, dates in a left column |
| Order | Most recent first |
| Dates | Month and year (e.g. Mar 2023) |
| Photo | Usually left out |
| Date of birth | Usually left out |
| Nationality | Usually left out |
| Marital status | Usually left out |
| Right to work / visa status | Usually included |
| References | List two or three referees with contact details |
| Explain gaps longer than | 6 months |
Key facts
- In Australia, the Age Discrimination Act 2004 makes it unlawful to discriminate on the ground of age in employment, including in deciding who is offered a job. Source: legislation.gov.au
- In Australia, Ahpra works with 15 National Boards to regulate 16 health professions, and registered practitioners appear on a public register. Source: ahpra.gov.au
Facts checked 2026-10-15.
Tips
- Put licences, trade certificates and safety cards first (e.g. Red Seal, journeyman, CSCS, White Card).
- List tools, machinery and systems you are competent with.
- A driving licence and own tools are worth stating.
- One to two pages; employers read quickly.
- Two or three referees with phone and email are expected, usually recent supervisors.
- State your visa or residency status (citizen, permanent resident, visa subclass) near the top.
- Key achievements under each role carry more weight than duty lists.
- No photo or date of birth: anti-discrimination law covers age (e.g. Australia’s Age Discrimination Act 2004, NZ’s Human Rights Act 1993).
Questions
What licences should a trades CV for Australia show?
Put your licences, trade certificates and safety cards first, each with the issuing body, number and expiry date. For electricians in Australia, that means State electrical licence; other trades list their own licence or apprenticeship certificate in the same section, above your experience. Requirements change, so confirm the current rules with the regulator before you apply.
Should a trades CV for Australia have a photo?
No. Leave the photo off a trades CV for Australia. Employers there don’t expect one and generally prefer CVs without it, and the CV Atlas readiness check flags a photo if you add one. Use the space for your experience and qualifications, and include a photo only if a job advert asks for one. No photo or date of birth: anti-discrimination law covers age (e.g. Australia’s Age Discrimination Act 2004, NZ’s Human Rights Act 1993).
How long should a trades CV be in Australia?
Aim for 2–4 pages, the norm in Australia. Put your licences and most recent roles on the first page, keep older roles to a line or two each, and use A4 paper. Employers in this field usually check your licences first. CV Atlas warns you when the CV runs longer than usual.
What sections does a trades CV for Australia need?
A trades CV for Australia needs your contact details, experience, licences, tickets and cards and skills, tools and equipment, plus two or three referees with contact details. In the header, include your visa or right-to-work status. Leave out the photo, date of birth and nationality. Put the most recent role first and describe each post with the setting, scope and results. CV Atlas applies this structure when you choose the job and the country, and its readiness check lists anything missing.
Related guides
General guides: CVs for Australia and Skilled trades CVs in any country.
Other jobs in Australia: Doctor, Nurse, Dentist, Pharmacist, Allied health, Teacher, Engineer, Lawyer, Accountant, Care worker, Childcare worker, Social worker, Software engineer.
Electrician and trades CVs for other countries: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Sweden, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Singapore, Japan.
Start your electrician and trades CVYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Guidance checked October 2026; facts checked 2026-10-15. General information for most employers, not legal or immigration advice. A job advert’s own instructions always come first. CV Atlas is not affiliated with any regulator or professional body named.