How Long Should a Cover Letter Be in Australia?

One of the most common questions Australian job seekers ask is: how long should my cover letter actually be? Too short and you look unprepared. Too long and the recruiter stops reading before they reach your best points.

The good news is there's a clear answer — and it's simpler than you might think.

The Simple Answer

Your cover letter should be one page maximum, containing 250 to 400 words and 3 to 4 paragraphs.

That's it. One page. Every major Australian recruitment source — SEEK, Hays, and independent recruiters — agrees on this. If your cover letter runs onto a second page, it's too long.

Recruiters in Australia spend less than 30 seconds reading the average cover letter. They skim for relevance, keywords, and professionalism. A concise, well-structured letter makes their job easier — and makes you look like a strong communicator.

Why Shorter Is Better in Australia

Australian employers have a strong preference for brevity. A cover letter that rambles signals poor communication skills — which is a red flag for almost any role.

A long cover letter also suggests you haven't thought carefully about what's relevant. Hiring managers don't want your life story — they want to know quickly: can you do this job, and are you genuinely interested in it?

Keeping it to 250 to 400 words forces you to focus on what actually matters, which makes your letter more powerful, not less.

The Ideal Structure for an Australian Cover Letter

Here's the exact structure that works for Australian employers. For a complete walkthrough including tone and common mistakes, see our guide on how to write a cover letter for Australian jobs.

Paragraph 1 — Opening (2 to 3 sentences)

State the role you're applying for, where you found it, and one compelling reason why you're a strong fit. Don't start with "I am writing to apply for..." — it's the most overused opening line in every recruiter's inbox.

Instead try: "With five years of project management experience in the construction sector, I was immediately drawn to this role at [Company] — the focus on large-scale infrastructure projects aligns directly with my background."

Paragraph 2 — Your Value (4 to 6 sentences)

This is the heart of your letter. Pick two or three of your most relevant achievements and connect them directly to what the employer needs. Use numbers where possible. Don't repeat your resume — add to it.

Example: "In my current role at [Company], I reduced project delivery times by 18% through implementing a new scheduling system, saving the business approximately $200,000 annually. I'm confident I can bring the same results-focused approach to your team."

Paragraph 3 — Why This Company (2 to 3 sentences)

Show you've done your research. Mention something specific about the company — a project, their values, their reputation. Generic letters that could be sent to any employer are easy to spot and immediately less convincing.

Paragraph 4 — Closing (2 sentences)

Thank them for their time, express enthusiasm for the opportunity, and invite them to contact you. Keep it confident and brief — no grovelling.

Example: "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience can contribute to [Company]. I am available for an interview at your convenience and can be reached on [phone] or [email]."

Word Count by Experience Level

The 250 to 400 word range works for most professionals, but here's how it breaks down by experience level:

• Graduate / Entry level: 200 to 280 words
• Mid-level professional: 280 to 350 words
• Senior professional: 350 to 400 words
• Academic or research role: up to 600 words

Academic and research roles are the one exception — these sometimes require longer letters that address publications, research interests, and teaching experience. The job ad will usually make this clear.

What Happens If Your Cover Letter Is Too Long?

A cover letter over 400 words risks:

• The recruiter stopping reading before your best points
• Looking like you can't communicate concisely
• Repeating information already in your resume
• Losing impact by trying to say too much

If you find yourself going over 400 words, cut ruthlessly. Every sentence should earn its place. Ask yourself: does this sentence make me more likely to get an interview? If not, delete it.

Common Cover Letter Length Mistakes Australians Make

• Writing more than one page — the most common mistake. If it doesn't fit on one page, you haven't edited enough.
• Repeating your entire resume — your cover letter should complement your resume, not copy it. Pick your two or three strongest points and expand on them.
• Starting with "I am writing to apply for..." — this wastes your most valuable line. Start with something that immediately shows your value.
• Being too brief — a cover letter under 150 words looks rushed and uncommitted. You need enough words to show genuine interest and relevant experience.
• Using the same letter for every job — Australian recruiters can spot a generic letter immediately. Tailor at minimum your opening paragraph and company reference for each application.

Does Cover Letter Length Affect ATS?

Yes. Many Australian employers use Applicant Tracking Systems to screen applications before a human reads them. ATS software scans for keywords from the job description.

A very short cover letter gives ATS less text to scan for relevant keywords, which can lower your ranking. Aim for at least 250 words to give the system enough content to work with — while keeping it under 400 words so the human reader stays engaged.

Quick Checklist Before You Send

Before submitting your cover letter, check:

• Is it one page or less?
• Is it between 250 and 400 words?
• Does it have 3 to 4 paragraphs?
• Have you mentioned the specific role and company?
• Does it add to your resume rather than repeat it?
• Have you included at least one specific achievement with a number?
• Does it have a clear closing with your contact details?

If you can tick all of these, your cover letter length and structure are solid.

Need Help Writing Your Cover Letter?

ProfessionalResume.au includes an AI cover letter writer built specifically for the Australian job market. It generates a tailored, correctly structured cover letter in minutes — already formatted to the right length for Australian employers. Try it free →

Final Thoughts

The ideal cover letter length in Australia is one page, 250 to 400 words, and 3 to 4 paragraphs. Keep it concise, tailor it to the role, and focus on your two or three most relevant achievements. That's what gets you interviews. Before you apply, make sure your resume is also in order — see our guide on how to write a resume in Australia 2026.

Sources: SEEK Career Advice Australia, Hays Australia Recruitment Insights, CVExpert Australia, 11 Recruitment Australia.