Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Employment Reference Letter
I need an employment reference letter for an employee who worked as a software developer for 3 years, highlighting their technical skills, teamwork, and contributions to major projects. The letter should be positive, concise, and suitable for applying to senior developer roles.
What is an Employment Reference Letter?
An Employment Reference Letter helps job seekers prove their work history and capabilities to potential employers. It's a formal document written by a previous employer or supervisor that confirms someone's employment dates, job duties, and professional qualities.
Under Australian workplace laws, these letters play a key role in recruitment and career advancement. While employers aren't legally required to provide them, they've become standard practice across industries. Good reference letters stick to facts, highlight achievements, and avoid potentially discriminatory comments - helping both employers and employees navigate Fair Work requirements during job transitions.
When should you use an Employment Reference Letter?
Request an Employment Reference Letter when leaving a job to boost your chances of landing your next role. Most Australian employers expect these letters during recruitment, especially for positions requiring specific experience or skills verification. They're particularly valuable when applying for government jobs, roles in regulated industries, or positions with strict background checking requirements.
Getting a reference letter is also smart when your current workplace is restructuring, your contract is ending, or you're moving interstate. Having it ready saves time later and ensures your achievements are documented while they're fresh in your supervisor's mind. Many visa applications and professional registration bodies also require these letters as proof of work experience.
What are the different types of Employment Reference Letter?
- Letter Of Recommendation For Employee: Detailed assessment focusing on job performance, skills, and work ethic - ideal for professional roles
- Character Reference Letter Of Recommendation: Emphasizes personal qualities and reliability rather than specific job duties
- Work Reference Letter: Factual confirmation of employment details, responsibilities, and achievements
- Workplace Reference Letter: Combines performance evaluation with workplace conduct and team relationships
- Reference Letter From Company: Official company-branded letter focusing on employment verification and corporate performance standards
Who should typically use an Employment Reference Letter?
- Former Employers: Write and issue Employment Reference Letters, typically through HR departments or direct supervisors who can verify work performance and employment details
- Job Seekers: Request and use these letters when applying for new positions, visa applications, or professional certifications
- Hiring Managers: Review reference letters to assess candidates' work history, skills, and professional conduct
- HR Professionals: Manage the process of creating, storing, and verifying reference letters while ensuring compliance with privacy laws
- Recruitment Agencies: Request and collect reference letters as part of their candidate screening process for Australian employers
How do you write an Employment Reference Letter?
- Employee Details: Collect accurate employment dates, job titles, key responsibilities, and reporting relationships
- Performance Info: Note specific achievements, skills demonstrated, and significant projects completed
- Company Details: Include official letterhead, ABN, and correct contact information for verification
- Compliance Check: Ensure comments focus on professional performance only, avoiding personal remarks or discriminatory language
- Verification Process: Set up a system to confirm authenticity of the letter when future employers enquire
- Document Format: Use our platform's templates to generate a properly structured letter that meets Australian workplace standards
What should be included in an Employment Reference Letter?
- Company Letterhead: Official business name, ABN, and current contact details
- Employment Details: Precise start and end dates, position titles, and work location
- Role Description: Key responsibilities, reporting relationships, and notable achievements
- Performance Statement: Factual assessment of work quality and professional conduct
- Privacy Compliance: Only include information the employee has agreed to share
- Author Credentials: Writer's name, position, and relationship to employee
- Authentication Elements: Company seal or stamp (if applicable), date, and authorised signature
- Verification Contact: Direct contact details for reference verification enquiries
What's the difference between an Employment Reference Letter and an Employment Offer Letter?
Employment Reference Letters differ significantly from Employment Offer Letters in their purpose and timing. While both are important employment documents, they serve distinct functions in the Australian workplace.
- Timing and Direction: Reference letters look backward at completed employment, while offer letters look forward to future employment arrangements
- Legal Weight: Offer letters create binding employment terms when accepted, whereas reference letters are informational and don't create legal obligations
- Content Focus: Reference letters evaluate past performance and verify employment history, while offer letters outline proposed salary, benefits, and working conditions
- Primary Purpose: Reference letters support job applications elsewhere, but offer letters initiate new employment relationships with specific terms
- Required Elements: Offer letters must include specific contractual terms under Fair Work Act requirements, while reference letters have more flexible content requirements
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
ұԾ’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.