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Executive Resume Template Australia

Guide: Executive Resume Strategy for Australian C-suite and Board Roles
ASX governance, executive search landscape, CEO compensation and AICD board pathways in Australia
Guide · not printed

Writing an Australian executive resume

  • An Australian executive resume leads with an executive summary: 4 to 6 lines covering industries, scope (revenue, headcount, geographies), signature achievements and leadership differentiation. Quantify everything. Generic phrases like 'proven leader' carry no weight at this level. Source: Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), aicd.com.au.
  • Length: 2 to 3 pages for most executive roles. Board applications may include a board profile of 1 to 2 additional pages. Every line must justify its presence. Source: Spencer Stuart Australia.
  • ASX governance context: For ASX-listed company roles, demonstrate familiarity with the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (4th edition). Reference experience with board reporting, audit and risk committees, and ASX continuous disclosure obligations. Source: ASX Corporate Governance Council, asx.com.au.
  • No photo: Australian executive resumes do not include photographs as standard practice. The focus is entirely on accomplishments and governance credentials. Source: AICD.

Executive search and board pathways

  • The major executive search firms operating in Australia: Spencer Stuart, Egon Zehnder, Korn Ferry, Heidrick and Struggles, and Russell Reynolds Associates. For mid-market executive roles: Michael Page Executive, Robert Half Executive, Talent International. Source: AESC Australia.
  • AICD: The Australian Institute of Company Directors offers the Company Directors Course (CDC), which is the recognised pathway for aspiring non-executive directors. The GAICD post-nominals (Graduate AICD) signal governance capability to search firms and nomination committees. Source: AICD, aicd.com.au.
  • ASX board diversity: the AICD promotes a 40:40:20 gender balance model for boards, and women held 37.6% of ASX 300 board seats at 31 January 2026. Board search is increasingly diversity-aware. The 30% Club Australia actively advocates for gender-balanced boards. Source: AICD Gender Diversity Snapshot 2026, aicd.com.au.
  • CEO pay benchmarks Australia: in FY25, median realised pay was $4.8M for ASX 100 CEOs and $2.13M for CEOs of ASX 101 to 200 companies. Pay for mid-market, not-for-profit and government enterprise CEOs varies widely and is not covered by this survey. Source: ACSI CEO Pay Survey FY25, via Guerdon Associates.

Governance and remuneration

  • Total remuneration for Australian executives: fixed annual remuneration (FAR), short-term incentive (STI, typically 50 to 100 percent of FAR for executives), long-term incentive (LTI: performance rights, restricted shares, options; typically 50 to 150 percent of FAR for executives), and superannuation (statutory 12 percent SG rate, many executives receive higher contractual super). Source: Guerdon Associates 2024.
  • Non-executive director fees: fees rise sharply with company size, and chairs typically earn about double a member's fee. NEDs receive superannuation on director fees. For current figures, see ACSI's annual review of ASX 200 board fees and published remuneration reports. Source: ACSI; company annual reports.
  • Termination provisions: Australian executives commonly negotiate 6 to 12 months termination notice, with some roles having specific termination benefits (payments in lieu of notice). For listed companies, the Corporations Act (section 200B) requires shareholder approval for termination benefits to directors and key management personnel that exceed one year's average base salary. Check with an employment lawyer before signing. Source: Corporations Act 2001, legislation.gov.au.
  • Restraint of trade: In Australia, post-employment restraint clauses are generally enforceable only if reasonable in duration (often 6 to 12 months), geographic scope and type of activity. The Australian Government has announced a ban on non-compete clauses for employees earning below the high income threshold from 2027, which most executives exceed. Always have an employment lawyer review restraint provisions before signing. Source: Australian Government, dewr.gov.au.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a non-executive director role on an ASX board?

The pathway: build your executive track record, complete the AICD Company Directors Course (aicd.com.au) and its assessments to earn your GAICD, join audit or risk committees at smaller listed or unlisted companies first, engage executive search firms with a board practice (Spencer Stuart, Egon Zehnder, Korn Ferry), and use your professional network. Many first NED appointments come through existing board connections. Source: AICD, aicd.com.au.

What are the key governance documents an Australian executive should understand?

Core governance documents: ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (4th edition, asx.com.au), the Corporations Act 2001, ASIC Regulatory Guides, the Fair Work Act 2009, and the Modern Slavery Act 2018. For regulated industries (banking, insurance, super): additional APRA Prudential Standards. For ASX-listed companies: continuous disclosure obligations under ASX Listing Rules. Source: ASX Corporate Governance Council, ASIC, APRA.

How does the short-term incentive (STI) and long-term incentive (LTI) work for Australian executives?

STI (also called bonus) is typically paid annually, based on financial and non-financial KPIs measured over the year, and paid in cash or deferred equity. LTI is equity-based (performance rights, restricted shares) vesting over 3 to 4 years subject to performance hurdles such as Total Shareholder Return (TSR) relative to peers or absolute EPS growth. Both are commonly subject to malus and clawback provisions, which APRA's Prudential Standard CPS 511 requires for regulated banks, insurers and super funds. Source: Guerdon Associates, guerdonassociates.com; APRA, apra.gov.au.

What is the AICD Company Directors Course and is it worth it?

The Company Directors Course (CDC) is the AICD's flagship governance education program. It covers strategy, risk, finance, legal duties of directors and board dynamics. Participants who pass the optional assessments and hold AICD membership earn the GAICD post-nominals. It is widely recognised by nomination committees and search firms as a credible governance signal, particularly for first-time board appointments. The course runs over 5 full days (face to face, virtual or residential) or self-paced online. Member prices range from about $6,000 (self-paced) to $13,950 (residential), with $9,990 for face to face. Source: AICD, aicd.com.au.

How does superannuation work for Australian executives?

The statutory Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate is 12% from 1 July 2025 (ATO). Most executive employment contracts specify a higher super rate (typically 12 to 15 percent of FAR). For 2026-27, the concessional contributions cap is $32,500 and the non-concessional cap is $130,000 per year. Total super balances above $3M attract an additional 15% tax on realised earnings from 1 July 2026, and an additional 25% above $10M (Division 296). Speak with a licensed financial adviser about your own situation. Source: ATO, ato.gov.au.

Before you apply, read the Donezo Golden Rules · 10 honest rules for CVs, motivation letters and applications that get replies.

Andrew MacLean

Chief Executive Officer | Infrastructure and Energy
Sydney, NSW +61 4 1234 5678 a.maclean@email.com.au linkedin.com/in/andrew-maclean-ceo
CEO with 21 years leading infrastructure and energy businesses across Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia (revenue $200M to $3.1B, workforces to 4,500). Delivered 3 successful exits generating $2.8B in enterprise value. Recognised by AFR as one of Australia's Top 100 Business Leaders 2023. GAICD. Deep expertise in asset management, energy transition and government relations.
Executive Leadership
Chief Executive OfficerJul 2018 to present
Pacific Grid Holdings · Sydney NSW
Led $3.1B revenue renewable energy and grid infrastructure business (2,800 employees, operations in 6 Asia-Pacific markets). Executed $1.4B acquisition of NZ wind portfolio. Delivered energy transition strategy achieving 60% reduction in Scope 1 emissions ahead of schedule. Secured $4.2B government infrastructure pipeline under the National Renewable Energy Plan.
Managing Director, InfrastructureFeb 2012 to Jun 2018
Macquarie Asset Management · Sydney NSW
Portfolio management responsibility for 12 infrastructure assets across transport, utilities and energy (total AUM $8.9B). Managed 3 successful exits generating $1.6B in combined returns. Served on 5 portfolio company boards.
Education
MBA (Dean's List)
Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne
2007
BE (Hons) Electrical Engineering
University of Queensland
2001
Board Positions
Chair · Clean Energy Finance Corp
NED, Audit & Risk · ASX: APA Group
Member · Infrastructure Australia
Credentials
GAICD (AICD, 2014)
FIEAust (Engineers Australia)
AFR Top 100 Leaders 2023
Expertise
Infrastructure M&A
Energy transition strategy
Government relations
ASX board governance
Capital raising and IPO

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