When applying for an Australian visa, one of the most essential documents required, especially for skilled migration or employer-sponsored visa applications, is also known as an employment reference letter.

This letter serves as proof of your work experience and plays a vital role in determining whether you meet the requirements of the visa category you are applying for.

Whether you’re applying for a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), or even a tourist visa with a job-related reason, an appropriately formatted and verified employment reference letter for Australian immigration can make all the difference.

🔑: Key Highlight

An employment reference letter is a critical document for Australian skilled migration and employer-sponsored visas. It validates your work experience, ensuring alignment with your nominated occupation under the ANZSCO code.
A valid employment reference letter must include your job title, duties, work hours, salary, employment duration, and company contact info and all of these documents printed on the official company letterhead and signed by an authorised person.
Avoid vague job descriptions, mismatched dates, or missing referee contact info. Poorly formatted or unsigned letters can lead to application delays or rejection.
Use NAATI-certified translations if not in English, match your ANZSCO duties, attach supporting documents, and ensure consistency across all application forms for a stronger visa case.

📌 What Is an Employment Reference Letter for a Visa?

An employment reference letter for a visa is an official document provided by your employer verifying your employment details. It confirms your job title, work responsibilities, duration of employment, salary, working hours, and employer contact information.

For immigration to Australia, this letter is a critical piece of evidence supporting your work history.

If you’re applying with SkillSelect, ACS, VETASSESS, or Engineers Australia, the letter must match the information on your application form exactly.

✅ Why Do You Need an Employment Reference Letter for Australian Immigration?

Australian immigration authorities, including the Department of Home Affairs, want to verify that the skills and experiences you claim align with the occupation you’re applying for.

A work reference letter for a visa helps:

Prove the authenticity of your work experience.
Verify that your job roles match your nominated occupation (per ANZSCO).
Support your claims during a skills assessment process.
Boost your PR points by validating work duration and relevancy.
Show continuous employment history for point-tested visas.

🧾 Key Components of an Employment Letter for an Australia Visa Application

Here’s what a well-structured employment reference letter for Australian immigration should include:

1. Official Company Letterhead

Ensure your reference letter is printed on the organisation’s letterhead with:

Company logo
Official address
Contact number
Email
ABN (Australian Business Number, if applicable)

2. Your Full Name and Position

Mention your full legal name and the exact job title(s) held during your employment.

3. Employment Period

Specify the start and end dates clearly (DD/MM/YYYY format). If still employed, use “to present.”

4. Full-Time or Part-Time Status

State the nature of your work. For example:

“This is to certify that [Full Name] has been employed as a full-time [Job Title] working 38 hours per week…”

5. Duties and Responsibilities

This is critical. Your listed duties should reflect your ANZSCO code. Copy-paste duties directly from ANZSCO if needed, but make sure they align with your actual tasks.

6. Salary Details

Mention gross monthly or annual salary. If the company has a confidentiality policy, note that in the letter.

7. Name, Position, and Signature of the Referee

Your supervisor or HR manager should:

Sign the letter
Print their full name and job title
Provide direct contact information

8. Company Stamp or Seal (If Available)

📄 Employment Reference Letter for Australian Immigration Sample

Below is a commonly accepted employment reference letter for Australian immigration:

[Company Letterhead]

[Company Name

[Company Address]

Phone: [Company Phone Number]

Email: [Company Email Address]

Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

To Whom It May Concern,

This is to certify that Mr./Ms. [Applicant’s Full Name] was employed with [Company Name] from [Start Date] to [End Date] as a full-time [Job Title] working [X] hours per week.

During this period, his/her primary responsibilities included:

Designing and maintaining database systems and ensuring optimal performance.
Gathering, analysing, and interpreting business data to support decision-making.
Collaborating with stakeholders to define requirements and deliver insights.
Preparing detailed reports for senior management.

Mr./Ms. [Last Name] received a gross annual salary of AUD [Salary Amount].

Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact me directly at [Supervisor’s Phone Number] or [Supervisor’s Email].

Sincerely,

[Referee’s Full Name]

[Job Title]

[Signature]

[Company Seal]

💼 Reference Letter from Employer for Visa Application: Do’s and Don’ts

✔️ Do’s

Match your role responsibilities to the correct ANZSCO code.
Include all employment periods (e.g., promotions or role changes).
Always use professional, error-free language.
Request the letter from a direct supervisor or HR.

❌ Don’ts

Don’t include vague or generic job descriptions.
Avoid using acronyms without full forms.
Don’t submit unsigned or poorly formatted documents.
Never forge or misrepresent experience. It can lead to a ban.

✈️ Employment Letter for Tourist Visa Australia

If you’re applying for a tourist visa but need to show employment for financial support or return reasons, your letter must state:

Your job role and salary
Your approved leave dates
Confirmation of your return to the job

Example:

“This letter is to confirm that Mr. X is employed full-time as a software engineer and has been granted leave from [Start Date] to [End Date]. Mr. X is expected to resume work on [Return Date] and will continue to receive monthly remuneration during this period.”

📂 Employment Reference Letter Template

Need a ready-to-use template? Here you go:

📝 Employment Reference Letter Template

[Your Company Letterhead] [Date]

To Whom It May Concern,

This is to confirm that Mr./Ms. [Employee Name], holding passport number [Passport Number], was employed with [Company Name] from [Start Date] to [End Date] in the capacity of a [Job Title], working [X] hours per week on a [Full-time/Part-time] basis.

Job responsibilities:

[Responsibility 1]
[Responsibility 2]
[Responsibility 3]
[Responsibility 4]

During this period, Mr./Ms. [Last Name] was paid a gross annual salary of AUD [Salary Amount].

If further information is required, I am available at [Phone Number] or [Email Address].

Sincerely,

[Referee’s Full Name]

[Referee’s Position]

[Signature]

[Company Stamp]

🛡️ Additional Tips to Ensure Acceptance

Translate non-English letters using NAATI-certified translators.
Attach payslips and employment contracts as additional proof.
Ensure consistency between your employment reference letter and the information in your visa application and CV.

📋 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missing dates or mismatched timelines
Vague job descriptions not aligned with ANZSCO
Letters not on official letterhead
No contact details of the referee
Spelling errors or an informal tone

Conclusion

Crafting a precise and professionally written employment reference letter for Australian immigration is crucial for a successful visa outcome.

Whether you’re submitting the letter to ACS, Engineers Australia, or VETASSESS, or applying for an employment letter for a tourist visa in Australia, the format, content, and clarity must be on point.

Always keep in mind to:

Match your role to the right ANZSCO occupation.
Stick to facts, and avoid bluffing.
Back everything up with supporting documents.

If you’re unsure, it’s always a good idea to consult with a migration agent or professional writing service that specialises in immigration documentation.

🔑 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Q1: How do you write a reference letter in Australia?

An effective employment reference letter in Australia should come from someone who has worked closely with the employee and can offer detailed insights into their skills and performance.

The letter should be organised, easy to understand, and emphasise the individual’s key strengths and accomplishments.

Q2: Can I write my employment reference letter?

Yes, you can draft it, but it must be signed and printed on your employer’s letterhead and preferably authored or co-signed by your supervisor or HR.

Q3: Is a salary mandatory in an employment reference letter?

Yes, it’s usually required by assessing authorities. However, if confidential, your employer can state this explicitly.

Q4 Can a colleague write my employment reference letter?

Only if they were in a supervisory position and could validate your employment truthfully and professionally.

Q5: What if my company no longer exists?

You can provide alternate evidence like appointment letters, payslips, tax documents, or an affidavit explaining the situation.