How Do Referee Checks Work in Australia and Who Should I Nominate?

Key facts

The specifics, before the explanation.

• Two referees is the norm; public sector and senior roles often ask for three
• Checks are usually done after the final interview, and most employers will not call your current employer without your permission
• Automated referee platforms (Xref, Checkmate, Referoo) are widespread, with referees responding via email or an online form within a few days
• Under the Privacy Act, employers should tell you that they will contact referees and what they will collect
• Public sector roles commonly require a referee report against the selection criteria, not just a conversation

What this actually means

Referee checks in Australia are more than a formality. A lukewarm referee, or one who contradicts a claim you made in the interview, regularly turns a verbal offer into silence. The check usually happens at the very end of the process, so by the time it is running you are the preferred candidate and the employer is looking for reasons not to proceed. Your job is to make sure there are none.

Choose referees who directly supervised your work and can speak to specifics: a manager rather than a peer, a client rather than a friend. If you cannot use your current manager because the job search is confidential, say so; most employers accept a previous manager plus a senior colleague, and will delay contacting your current employer until after the offer is signed. Academic referees are only appropriate for graduate roles.

Brief each referee before you list them. Send them the job ad, the two or three things you emphasised in the interview, and a reminder of the projects you worked on together. Ask whether they are happy to be positive; a hesitant yes is a no. If the employer uses a platform like Xref, warn referees the request will arrive by email and may go to spam.

Public sector and university roles are different. The referee report there is a structured document scored against the selection criteria, and a referee who writes two lines will sink you. Choose someone who will put in the time. Finally, keep your own answers consistent: if you tell the panel you led the project, your referee needs to say the same, so rehearse your interview answers out loud using the same words you used when you briefed them.

What to actually do

Rules and figures move. Confirm anything time-sensitive with the official regulator before you rely on it.

• Ask each referee's permission every time you use them, and send them the job ad and your key talking points
• Keep your interview answers consistent with what your referee will say; practise them out loud using the same project names and numbers
• If your job search is confidential, say so up front and offer a previous manager instead of your current one
• Warn referees that automated check emails from Xref or similar can land in spam, and ask them to respond within 48 hours
• For public sector roles, choose a referee who will write a full report against the selection criteria, not a quick phone call

Frequently asked questions

Can an employer contact my current manager without my permission?

They should not, and most will ask first. If you are worried, state clearly on your application that your current employer should only be contacted after an offer is made.

What questions do Australian referees get asked?

Usually your role and dates, strengths, areas for development, how you handled pressure or conflict, reliability, and whether they would rehire you. Platform-based checks often rate you on a scale for each.

What if a previous employer gives a bad reference?

Referees must be honest but not misleading. If a reference is false and costs you a job, there may be legal remedies, but the practical fix is to nominate someone else and explain the context briefly if asked.

Sources

Referenced for this guide:

• OAIC: employment and privacy