Academic CV: Template, Examples & Guide for Australia

Writing an academic CV may seem like a daunting task. It’s way more detailed and specific than a regular resume, and it may be hard to decide which details to list and which to omit.

Luckily, we’ve gathered top-notch guidelines to help you. We’ll walk you through the dos and don'ts of writing a good academic CV and provide you with an academic CV template to serve as guidance.

This guide will show you: 

• An academic CV template for Australia better than 9 out of 10 others.
• How to write an academic CV that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put achievements on an academic CV.
• How to describe your experience on an academic CV to get any job you want.

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Sample CV made with our builder—See more CV examples and create your CV here.

Looking for something similar? Have a look at this collection of guides:

• Professor CV Example
• PhD Resume Example
• Academic Advisor Resume
• Resume Examples for a Variety of Professions

Academic CV template for Australia

Now, here’s how to write a good academic CV:

What is an academic CV?

An academic curriculum vitae (CV), also referred to as an academic resume, is a job application document defining your educational and professional background, research, publications, expertise in teaching, and other relevant credentials. It’s widely used in academia among scholars and researchers.

It shouldn’t be confused with a regular CV (CV and resume mean the same in Australia). While similar in form and purpose, an academic CV is more descriptive, has unique sections, and isn’t limited in length. Still, the content you choose to include should be carefully curated and tailored to the position you’re applying to. 

How to format an academic CV

The format of an academic CV should adhere to these guidelines:

• Start with the most recent positions. Just as with regular CV formats, the classic reverse chronological one is preferable for an academic CV.
• Select a professional font that’s consistent across the document (in 10–12 pts).
• Keep enough white space with even margins and 1–1.15 spacing between lines.
• Maintain the structure with visible headings, bold type, and italics.

Pro Tip: While there’s no set page count that’s expected from an academic CV, you can aim at 3–5 pages on average. This can be exceeded if you have 10+ years of experience and a more extensive employment history.

How to write an academic CV

Below, we will break down the necessary CV sections with writing tips for each. You can also start by selecting a CV template and customising it as you read. 

1. Create a header 

This is a basic part of any CV. Your academic CV header should include the following contact details:

• Name
• Position and affiliation 
• Phone number
• Work email
• LinkedIn profile (optional)

Want to go deeper into the best practices of each section? Read our guide: How to Write a Good CV for Australia

2. Write a research objective or personal statement

Imagine you had to condense all 3–8 pages of your academic CV into one paragraph. And that paragraph would have the capacity to make or break your whole application, according to research.

Similar to a resume objective, this segment of your academic CV has to serve as a strong introduction, stating your goals for the period and your interests in the prospective work. It should also summarise your relevant qualifications and previous research to explain why you’re a good fit. 

To write a good personal statement for your academic CV:

• Brainstorm your strongest professional accomplishments, skills, and projects; make a list. 
• Look closely at the job advert. Compare and pick out the points that correspond to the position description best. 
• Position it right under your CV header.

The example above is succinct and forthright, providing evidence of relevant professional accomplishments and education required to perform the job. 

3. Describe your educational background 

For your education section, the chronological order is the best way to go:

• State your degree, name of institution, and period of study.
• Feature the name of your supervisor if you have a PhD (optional). 
• Include the topics of your academic work, research, or thesis (optional).

You can spell out your degree, but you don’t necessarily have to. It all depends on what’s stated in the job posting. If they’re looking for a PhD, abbreviate. If they want a Doctor of Philosophy, don’t.

That has to do with the Application Tracking System (ATS) that the institution might use for recruiting staff. Learn more about ATS CVs in our dedicated guide: ATS-Compliant CV Templates: What Are They?

4. Break down your experience 

Despite studies indicating that the demand in academia will only grow, the field remains highly competitive due to its international nature. This means your credentials should be presented in full and cater to the expectations of the board evaluating you.

Unlike that of a regular CV, this part of your academic CV can be trifold and include:

• Research experience
• Teaching experience
• Other relevant experience based on the position description

It’s possible to separate those into different sections:

Here are some tips on how to describe your experience on an academic CV:

• Study the job description and do your research to make sure you target your CV carefully. 
• List measurable accomplishments, not just duties. Even if it’s the size of the class you taught or the number of lectures per week, clarify what value you bring to the recruiters.
• Feature any mentorship or supervision work you have done.
• Aim for impact, not length. 

Pro Tip: Avoid, or at least minimise/translate, the jargon that people outside your field wouldn’t understand, and simplify as much as possible.

When making a CV in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional CV template here for free.

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When you’re done, Zety’s CV builder will score your CV and tell you exactly how to make it better.

5. Highlight your academic skills

Listing the right skills is another way to prove you meet the criteria. 

The professional skills on your CV should feature all or most of the following (depending on the position):

• Research skills.
• Teaching skills.
• Transferable skills.
• Interpersonal skills (and other important soft skills.)

You can also mention language skills separately.

Pick the skills based on the position description. In case of doubt, reach out to your peers for counsel. 

6. Add other sections to your academic CV

More than any other kind of CV, an academic CV relies heavily on additional sections. Those may vary based on your needs and overall relevance. 

Provide descriptions and details as you see fit—for example, the amount of funding raised, names of your collaborators, or names of conference speakers.

Here are some ideas for academic CV extra sections:

• Membership in organisations/societies relevant to your field
• Licences and certifications
• Prominent awards, prizes, or scholarships
• Obtained funding or grants
• Patents
• Statements of conference participation (indicate if you presented as well)
• Collaborations
• Volunteering experience

7. Mention your publications

It’s common practice to include publications on an academic CV as an appendix. Start with the most recent ones, and cite them using the same format that an article would use, like here:

You can also list unfinished publications, indicating that they are in progress or under review.

We have a dedicated guide that can be helpful: How to List Publications on a CV/Resume Properly

8. List referees

Add at least two referees to your academic CV who would be able to comment on your work and present you in a positive light (preferably other members of academia). Use this format: 

It goes without saying that you are to get their permission first. 

For more tips on putting references on a CV, read this guide: How to Select Referees and Feature Them on Your CV

9. Attach a cover letter to your academic CV

Last but not least, remember to include a good cover letter. This allows you to complete your application with a background summary and further persuade the hiring side that you’re a perfect fit. 

• Address the reader personally.
• Outline your relevant qualifications and experience.
• Briefly clarify why your candidature matches the position. 
• Reinforce your motivation to partake in the recruitment process.
• Keep it under one page.
• Use proven tips on how to write a cover letter.

Pro Tip: Download your academic CV and cover letter as PDF files unless indicated otherwise—this way, the documents will stay intact no matter the device. 

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key takeaway 

Let's review the academic CV tips from above:

1. Maintain proper structure and formatting for your academic CV.
2. Take your time and write a gripping personal statement.
3. Tailor your experience and skills to the position.
4. Talk about your educational background.
5. Make the most of additional sections.
6. Maximise your impact with a good academic cover letter.

This is all you need to create a successful academic CV.

Is there anything else you think should be included in our academic CV guide? Let us know in the comments below.