How to age-proof your resume: the simple changes that help over-60s get past the first cut

If you’re over 60 and job hunting, you may already suspect your age is counting against you before you even get to an interview. The research suggests you could be right. The good news is that a few smart changes to your resume can help make sure employers see your skills first and your birth year last.

The numbers behind the bias

Age discrimination in Australia’s job market is well documented.

In the National Seniors Australia 2024 Social Survey, around 40 per cent of the roughly 2,500 older Australians who responded said they had experienced age-based exclusion or discrimination. More than a third of those who added comments described discrimination when applying for jobs or while at work.

COTA Australia’s State of the Older Nation 2025 report found that one in four Australians over 50 has experienced ageism at work. The workplace was the most common place for it to happen.

Employers aren’t always shy about it either. In the Australian HR Institute’s (AHRI) March Quarter 2026 Australian Work Outlook, a survey of more than 600 senior HR and business decision-makers, 69 per cent of recruiters admitted to excluding candidates based on personal attributes. Of that group, 19 per cent named workers over 55.

AHRI’s earlier research with the Australian Human Rights Commission found only about a quarter of HR professionals were open “to a large extent” to hiring people aged 65 and over. Almost half said their own recruitment practices had a negative impact on older workers.

That bias also comes up against a crowded market. SEEK reports that applications per job ad hit a record high in June 2026 as the number of ads fell. One recruitment industry analysis puts the average at around 184 applicants per job ad. With that many resumes to get through, recruiters skim fast. A widely cited eye-tracking study by US jobs site Ladders found recruiters spend an average of just over seven seconds on a first scan of a resume.

So your resume has a few seconds to make a case for you. Here’s how to make sure those seconds count.

What to leave out

Dates that give your age away. You don’t need to include the year you finished school or graduated from university. List the qualification and the institution and leave the date off.

Your whole career history. Focus on the past 10 to 15 years in detail. Earlier roles can be summarised in a short “Earlier career” line, or left off if they aren’t relevant. Nobody needs to know about your first job at the bank in 1982.

“30-plus years of experience”. It’s a source of pride, but it’s also a quick way for someone to do the maths. Words like “extensive” or “senior-level experience” do the same job without the arithmetic.

Personal details. Australian resumes shouldn’t include your date of birth, age, marital status or a photo. Employers aren’t entitled to them, and they can only work against you.

Old-fashioned extras. Drop the “Objective” statement, the line “References available on request” and a home landline. Recruiters will assume you can supply references, and your mobile is all they need.

A dated email address. An old Bigpond, Hotmail or AOL address can quietly signal your age. A simple Gmail or Outlook address with your name (for example, [email protected]) looks current and professional.

What to put in

A sharp professional summary. Open with three or four lines that sum up who you are and what you bring to this role. Think of it as your seven-second pitch.

Achievements, not just duties. Recruiters respond to results. “Cut supplier costs by 18 per cent” or “trained and mentored a team of 12” says far more than “responsible for procurement”.

Up-to-date skills. One of the most common assumptions about older workers is that they aren’t across technology. Get ahead of it by listing the tools you use, such as Microsoft 365, Teams, Zoom, Xero, CRM systems or industry-specific software.

Recent learning. A short course, micro-credential or certificate from the past few years shows you’re still growing. Free and low-cost options from TAFE, universities and online platforms all count.

A LinkedIn link. Include your LinkedIn profile URL, and make sure the profile matches your resume. Use a recent, professional-looking photo there, not one from a decade ago.

The right keywords. Many employers now use software (applicant tracking systems) to filter resumes before a person ever sees them. Mirror the language in the job ad. If it asks for “stakeholder engagement”, use those exact words where they truthfully apply to you.

Get the look right

A cluttered, text-heavy resume can look dated before anyone reads a word. Keep it clean:

• Use a modern, simple font such as Calibri, Arial or Helvetica, in 10 to 12 point.
• Use clear headings and plenty of white space.
• Keep it to two or three pages, which is standard in Australia.
• Send it as a PDF unless the ad asks for Word.
• Tailor it for every application instead of sending the same version everywhere.
• Use your age as an advantage
• Your experience is a selling point, and the cover letter is the place to say so. Employers value reliability, judgement, calm under pressure and the ability to mentor others. AHRI’s research found that HR professionals were far more likely to rate older workers’ performance higher than younger workers’ than the other way round.

If you’re open to part-time, flexible or contract work, say so. It can make you a more attractive option, particularly for small businesses.

Know your rights

Under the federal Age Discrimination Act 2004, it’s generally unlawful for an employer to treat you less favourably because of your age when you’re applying for a job, or in your terms and conditions, training, promotion or dismissal. There are some exemptions, including where a person can’t carry out the inherent requirements of a role.

If you think you’ve been discriminated against:

Keep records. Save job ads, emails and notes of any comments made, with dates.
Watch the language in job ads. Phrases such as “young and dynamic team”, “digital native” or “fresh new blood” can be a sign of age bias.
Contact the Australian Human Rights Commission. Its National Information Service (1300 656 419) can talk you through your options. Making a complaint is free, and many complaints are resolved through conciliation.
Check other avenues. The Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) can help with workplace rights, and every state and territory has its own anti-discrimination or equal opportunity body. If you’ve been dismissed, act quickly, because strict time limits can apply.
A resume alone won’t stamp out ageism. But making sure yours looks current, focused and achievement-driven means you’re giving employers every reason to call you in.

This article is general in nature and isn’t legal or career advice. If you believe you’ve experienced age discrimination, contact the Australian Human Rights Commission or seek independent legal advice.

Are you over 60 and job hunting? Have you felt your age has counted against you? Share your experience in the comments.