If you’re struggling to translate your administrative experience into a compelling narrative, you’re in the right place. Administration Assistant cover letters need to demonstrate both your technical capabilities and your interpersonal skills—all while reflecting the professionalism and reliability expected in administrative roles. The good news? With the right structure and approach, you can craft a cover letter that positions you as the efficient, personable, and proactive assistant every Australian organisation is seeking.
This comprehensive guide walks you through writing an Administration Assistant cover letter tailored to the Australian workplace. You’ll find a complete example, formatting guidelines, section-by-section breakdowns, and practical tips to help you stand out whether you’re applying to corporate offices, government departments, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, or small businesses. From demonstrating your proficiency with Microsoft Office to showcasing your customer service skills, we’ll help you craft an application that gets noticed. Let’s transform your administrative expertise into your next career opportunity.
Administration Assistant Cover Letter Example (Text Version)
Emily Watson
[email protected]
0429 876 543
linkedin.com/in/emilywatson
Sydney, NSW 2000
2 October 2025
Mr James Mitchell
Office Manager
Horizon Property Group
Suite 12, 88 Pitt Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
Dear Mr Mitchell,
When I read about Horizon Property Group’s commitment to exceptional client service and your reputation as one of Sydney’s leading property management firms, I knew this was an organisation where I could make a meaningful contribution. As an Administration Assistant with three years of experience supporting busy teams, managing office operations, and delivering outstanding customer service, I’m excited to bring my organisational skills, proactive approach, and genuine enthusiasm for administrative excellence to your Sydney office.
In my current role as Administration Assistant at Summit Legal Partners, I provide comprehensive administrative support to a team of eight lawyers and two practice managers. I manage complex diary coordination across multiple time zones, prepare legal documents and correspondence, maintain our client database with 100% accuracy, and serve as the first point of contact for clients and visitors. Last year, I implemented a new filing system that reduced document retrieval time by 60%, and I streamlined our meeting room booking process using Microsoft Outlook, eliminating double-bookings and improving office efficiency. I also coordinate our quarterly client events for up to 80 attendees, managing all logistics from venue booking to catering and follow-up.
I’m highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), experienced with database management systems, and comfortable learning new software quickly. I have excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to prioritise competing demands while maintaining composure under pressure. I genuinely enjoy supporting teams to work more effectively, and I take pride in anticipating needs before they’re expressed and solving problems proactively.
Your company’s focus on building long-term client relationships and your collaborative team culture strongly appeal to me. I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how my administrative skills, customer service focus, and commitment to operational excellence can support Horizon Property Group’s continued success.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to your team.
Kind regards,
Emily Watson
[email protected]
0429 876 543
linkedin.com/in/emilywatson
How to Format an Administration Assistant Cover Letter
Professional presentation is essential for administrative roles. A well-formatted cover letter demonstrates the attention to detail and document preparation skills that employers expect. Australian employers demand clean, polished formatting.
- Length: Maximum 1 page (3–5 paragraphs). Office managers and HR teams review numerous applications. Keep your letter focused and concise.
- Font: Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman, 10–12pt. Use professional, corporate-standard fonts that reflect office environments.
- Spacing: Single or 1.15 line spacing with clear paragraph breaks. Good use of white space creates a professional appearance.
- Margins: 1 inch on all sides. Standard business document margins ensure professional presentation.
- File format: Always PDF unless specifically requested otherwise. PDFs preserve formatting across all devices and operating systems.
Name your file professionally: EmilyWatson_AdministrationAssistant_CoverLetter.pdf. Avoid generic filenames like “cover_letter.pdf” or “admin_app.docx”.
What to Include in an Administration Assistant Cover Letter (Australia)
Every effective Administration Assistant cover letter follows a proven structure. Here’s how to organise yours for maximum impact:
- Contact Details – Start with your full name, mobile number, professional email address, LinkedIn profile (optional but recommended), and location (city and state). You don’t need your complete street address, but employers want to know you’re local.
- Salutation (Dear Hiring Manager or name) – Use “Dear [Name]” whenever possible. Try to find the Office Manager, HR Manager, or hiring manager’s name. If you genuinely cannot find a name, “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
- Opening paragraph – your hook and intent – Start with something specific about the organisation—their values, reputation, industry, or services. State the position you’re applying for and briefly explain why you’re an excellent fit.
- Middle – why you’re the best fit (skills + experience) – Use 1–2 paragraphs to highlight your most relevant administrative experience, achievements, and skills. Employers want to see experience with diary/calendar management, document preparation and formatting, reception and phone duties, Microsoft Office proficiency (especially Word, Excel, Outlook), database or filing system management, customer service and stakeholder communication, ability to prioritise and multitask, and professional communication skills.
- Closing – call to action + sign off – Express enthusiasm for the role, reiterate your interest in contributing to the organisation, and invite further discussion.
Right vs Wrong Example
Right: “When I read about Horizon Property Group’s commitment to exceptional client service and your reputation as one of Sydney’s leading property management firms, I knew this was an organisation where I could make a meaningful contribution. As an Administration Assistant with three years of experience supporting busy teams, managing office operations, and delivering outstanding customer service, I’m excited to bring my organisational skills, proactive approach, and genuine enthusiasm for administrative excellence to your Sydney office.”
Why it works: Specific company research demonstrating interest, shows understanding of their values, clear experience statement, emphasises both skills and attitude, conveys genuine enthusiasm.
Wrong: “I am writing to apply for the Administration Assistant position. I have experience in admin work and am good at organising things. I’m a hard worker and think I would be good at this job.”
Why it fails: Generic, could apply to any admin role anywhere, no specific skills or achievements mentioned, vague statements about being “good at organising” provide no evidence of capability.
Entry-Level Administration Assistant Cover Letter Tips
- Focus on transferable skills and enthusiasm: Highlight any reception, customer service, or office experience even if not titled “admin”, relevant coursework or certifications (Certificate III in Business Administration, MYOB, etc.), volunteer work involving organisation or coordination, part-time jobs demonstrating reliability and communication skills, and strong Microsoft Office skills from education or personal use.
- Highlight course projects, volunteering or part-time work: Include retail or hospitality roles showing customer service skills, volunteer coordinator or committee positions, university projects requiring document preparation or data management, internships or work experience in office environments, and any experience answering phones, managing emails, or coordinating schedules.
- Show career motivation: Explain why you’re drawn to administrative work. Show understanding that admin roles are the backbone of organisations and require professionalism, discretion, and problem-solving skills.
Entry-Level Cover Letter Sample for Administration Assistant
“As a recent Certificate IV in Business Administration graduate from TAFE NSW with two years of customer service experience, I’m eager to begin my administrative career at Horizon Property Group. During my studies, I developed strong skills in document management, business communication, and office technology, completing projects in Excel spreadsheet management and professional correspondence. I’ve worked as a receptionist at City Medical Centre for 18 months, where I managed a busy 12-line phone system, scheduled appointments for 15 practitioners, and maintained patient records with meticulous attention to detail and confidentiality. I also coordinated our quarterly patient newsletter and organised our clinic’s move to a new premises, managing logistics and ensuring minimal disruption to operations. I’m proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, comfortable learning new systems quickly, and known for my warm, professional manner with clients and colleagues. I bring fresh training in business administration best practices, proven customer service skills, and genuine enthusiasm for supporting teams to work efficiently.”
Why it works: Highlights relevant qualification, demonstrates practical experience even if not purely admin, provides specific examples of responsibilities, shows initiative with newsletter and move coordination, conveys professionalism and attitude.
“I don’t have admin experience but I’m organised and good with computers. I’ve worked in retail and I’m friendly with customers. I’m a quick learner and willing to do whatever is needed. I think I’d be good at admin work.”
Why it fails: Apologetic tone, vague about skills, no specific examples, doesn’t demonstrate understanding of admin responsibilities, sounds uncertain rather than confident.
Top Mistakes to Avoid in an Administration Assistant Cover Letter
- Repeating your resume word-for-word: Your cover letter should explain your approach to administrative support, describe how you’ve improved office efficiency, and show your personality.
- Not addressing the company or role directly: Research the organisation’s industry, size, values, and any recent news. Reference them specifically.
- Using filler phrases like “I’m a team player” without proof: Show your administrative effectiveness through specific examples, improvements you’ve made, or positive feedback received.
How to Tailor Your Cover Letter to a Job Ad
- Use keywords from the ad (but naturally): If the job description emphasises “diary management,” “minute taking,” “database management,” “reception duties,” “event coordination,” or specific software, incorporate these terms where relevant.
- Mirror the tone and priorities of the employer: A corporate law firm will have different expectations than a creative agency or healthcare facility. Adjust your focus accordingly.
- Mention specific tools, software or experience if listed: If the ad mentions specific systems (Salesforce, SAP, specific database software, or industry-specific programs), reference your experience or ability to learn quickly.
How to Sign Off Your Administration Assistant Cover Letter
- Use “Sincerely” or “Kind regards”: These are the most professional sign-offs for Australian business contexts. “Kind regards” is warm yet professional.
- Include full name, phone number, LinkedIn (optional): Repeat your contact details below your signature even though they appear at the top.
Cover Letter Signature Example
Kind regards,
Emily Watson
[email protected]
0429 876 543
linkedin.com/in/emilywatson
How to Submit a Cover Letter in Australia
- Always attach as a PDF (unless instructed otherwise): PDFs preserve your formatting regardless of device or software.
- Label file professionally (e.g. EmilyWatson_CoverLetter.pdf): Use FirstnameLastname_CoverLetter.pdf or FirstnameLastname_AdministrationAssistant_CoverLetter.pdf.
- If submitting via Seek or LinkedIn, include a brief intro: Include a brief, professional message when applying via email.
Final Tips for Writing a Great Administration Assistant Cover Letter
- Make every sentence count – avoid repetition: Focus on your most relevant administrative achievements and skills.
- Use confident, positive language: Write in active voice. Instead of “I was responsible for,” write “I managed.”
- Proofread carefully (get a second pair of eyes if you can): Errors in an admin application are particularly damaging as this role requires precision.
- Match tone to employer (formal, friendly or creative): Research the organisation culture and adjust accordingly.
More Resources for Job Seekers
Your Administration Assistant cover letter is one component of a successful job application. To maximise your chances of securing interviews and landing your ideal administration role, explore our Administration Assistant resume examples to see how to structure your CV to highlight your organisational achievements and administrative capabilities effectively. Prepare thoroughly for the interview process with our comprehensive Interview questions guide, which covers common questions, behavioural scenarios, and how to demonstrate the skills employers value most in administration professionals. For government or corporate roles that require formal written responses, our selection criteria template will help you craft detailed, evidence-based responses that showcase your suitability for the position.
