Leaving a job can feel awkward, emotional, or even stressful, especially if you have built strong relationships with your manager or team. But resigning professionally matters more than many people realise.
How you leave a role can affect your future references, professional reputation, LinkedIn network, and even future job opportunities. Australia’s industries are often smaller than they seem, and people remember candidates who handled their resignation respectfully.
Whether you are moving for better pay, career growth, flexibility, or simply because the role is no longer the right fit, leaving professionally helps you protect your long-term career. Here’s how to resign from your job properly in Australia, without burning bridges.
Before You Resign, Be Certain About Your Decision
Before handing in your resignation, make sure you have thought through the decision carefully.
Ask yourself:
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Is this move aligned with your long-term career goals?
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Have you accepted another offer formally?
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Are you resigning because of a temporary frustration?
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Have you considered discussing concerns internally first?
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Are salary, workload, flexibility, or management issues fixable?
If you already have another role lined up, wait until your offer is signed, background checks are complete (if applicable), and your start date is confirmed. Resigning too early can create unnecessary risk.
Check Your Notice Period
Before resigning, review your employment contract. Your notice period may depend on your length of service, your award or enterprise agreement, your seniority level, and/or your company policy. Common notice periods in Australia include:
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1 week during probation
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2 weeks for junior or mid-level roles
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4 weeks for permanent full-time positions
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longer for senior leadership positions
If you are unsure, speak with HR before making assumptions.
Resign in Person First
One of the biggest mistakes employees make is sending a resignation email before speaking to their manager. Where possible, resign professionally by having a conversation first. This does not need to be dramatic or overexplained. Keep it respectful, calm, and direct.
Example:
“Thank you for the opportunities here. I’ve decided to accept another opportunity that aligns with my long-term goals, so I’ll be resigning from my position.”
Your manager may feel disappointed, surprised, or supportive. Stay professional regardless of the reaction.
Follow Up with a Formal Resignation Letter
After the conversation, send a brief resignation email or formal letter. Keep it simple, include your resignation statement, your final working day, and appreciation for the opportunity. Avoid emotional complaints, long explanations, criticism of management, or workplace gossip. Download our resignation template to start with.
Should You Tell Your Employer Where You’re Going?
You are not legally required to disclose your next employer. Some people are comfortable sharing where they are going, while others prefer not to. If you choose not to share, keep your response polite and professional. For example, “I’d prefer to keep the details private for now, but I appreciate your understanding.”
How to Handle a Counteroffer
Sometimes employers will respond to your resignation with a salary increase, promotion discussions, additional flexibility, or promises of change. While counteroffers can feel flattering, it is important to think carefully before accepting.
Often, people resign for deeper reasons than salary alone. Ask yourself why you start looking elsewhere. Understanding if there are underlying issues if you change your job. And evaluate if you would still leave if no counteroffer was made.
If you are considering a counteroffer, read our guide: “Counteroffers: Should You Take One?”
Stay Professional During Your Notice Period
Your notice period is part of your reputation. Even if you are mentally checked out, avoid disengaging from work, gossiping about your resignation, criticising the company, leaving tasks unfinished, or taking excessive sick leave unnecessarily. Instead, document handovers properly, support your replacement if needed, finish key projects professionally, and thank colleagues and stakeholders. People remember how employees leave.
What About Annual Leave?
Unused annual leave is generally paid out when you leave. Some employers may allow you to use annual leave during your notice period, while others may require you to work your notice. This varies depending on your contract, workplace policies, and operational needs. Always discuss this with HR or your manager before making assumptions.
How to Leave on Good Terms
Professional relationships matter long after you leave. Even if your experience was not perfect, try to separate temporary emotions from long-term career reputation. Before finishing, thank your manager and team, connect with colleagues on LinkedIn, avoid negative exit interviews, leave documentation organised, and finish respectfully. You never know when paths may cross again.
Resigning professionally is not just about following process. It is about protecting your reputation, maintaining relationships, and leaving with professionalism and maturity. Whether you are moving for better career opportunities, flexibility, salary, or personal reasons, how you leave matters.
A respectful resignation helps ensure your next career move starts on the right foot.
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