About this template
The Australia Compact template is a denser variant of the Australian CV in Helvetica Neue with the same ochre accent, but with tighter line spacing and reduced margins. Designed to compress a long Australian career onto two pages without losing visa status, right to work and key strengths blocks. Reserved for experienced to senior profiles required to meet a strict two-page limit.
Who is it for?
It fits experienced to senior Australian candidates with long careers to fit on two pages — mining and resources veterans (BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Newcrest), healthcare professionals (NSW Health, Queensland Health hospital consultants) and finance profiles applying to Australian employers who explicitly cap the CV at two pages. Particularly relevant for federal (APS levels) and state government roles with strict formatting instructions.
How to use it
Density does not exempt you from the visa status block at the top — it remains top priority. Compress experience by grouping: multiple roles at the same employer go in dated sub-blocks under a single header. For an APS (Australian Public Service) role, follow the Selection Criteria format — each criterion is addressed in the cover letter, the CV stays descriptive. Avoid bullets longer than one line — the tight leading makes long sentences tiring. Keep dates in DD/MM/YYYY format strictly.
Frequently asked questions
Is the two-page format really mandatory for APS roles?
Yes for most APS 4-6 vacancies, often stated explicitly (« CV must not exceed 2 pages »). Beyond that, panellists penalise the application at the screening stage. The instruction is less strict for SES (Senior Executive Service) roles where three pages remain tolerated.
How do I compress without losing key figures?
Favour the « Achievement: Result » convention on one line: « Reduced procurement cycle from 90 to 35 days (FY22) ». Numbers stay visible, context is implied. Drop routine responsibilities obvious from the job title (a Senior Engineer is assumed to manage a team — no need to restate it).
What's the difference with the standard Australia template?
Standard Australia tolerates three pages and keeps comfortable line spacing — relevant for first detailed applications. Australia Compact is calibrated for follow-up applications or applications to roles with imposed format. Many candidates keep both versions and pick depending on the advert.
