Barrister salary in Australia: state and industry differences

What is a barrister salary?

A barrister salary in Australia is not a single number. Barristers are specialist advocates who appear in courts and tribunals, and their income depends on where they work, who they work for, and the type of law they practise. The most reliable national figure comes from Jobs and Skills Australia, which reports a median full-time weekly earnings of $3,495 for employed barristers. That works out to about $181,740 a year before tax, putting the occupation at index 167.8 on the Salary Index. That means a typical barrister earns about 68% more than the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line of $108,352.

But that median hides a lot of variation. Barristers are concentrated in certain states and industries, and their pay reflects those differences.

State differences in barrister earnings

Jobs and Skills Australia publishes the share of barristers by state, but not earnings by state. Still, the distribution tells a story. New South Wales employs 39.5% of all barristers, Victoria 28.9%, Queensland 13.0%, and Western Australia a smaller share. Tasmania (2.3%) and the ACT (2.7%) have very few. The Northern Territory figure is suppressed due to small numbers.

Why does state matter? Because the legal market is not uniform. NSW and Victoria have the busiest commercial courts, the largest law firms, and the highest concentration of complex litigation. A barrister in Sydney or Melbourne is more likely to attract high-value briefs in areas like corporate law, tax, or intellectual property. In contrast, a barrister in Tasmania or the ACT may handle more general work, often with lower fee scales. The states page on the Salary Index shows that NSW has an index of 101.2 and Victoria 98.0, while Tasmania is 88.6. That gap in overall earnings across the economy likely extends to barristers, though the difference may be even larger because of the nature of work available.

Government-employed barristers – such as crown prosecutors or public defenders – are paid under state or federal enterprise agreements. These salaries are more predictable but usually lower than what a successful private barrister can earn. For example, a public defender in NSW might earn between $120,000 and $160,000, depending on experience, while a senior commercial barrister in Sydney could earn well over $300,000. The median of $181,740 sits somewhere in the middle, reflecting a mix of government and private practice.

Industry differences: private practice vs government

The two main industries for barristers are Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (which covers legal services) and Public Administration and Safety (government legal roles). Jobs and Skills Australia does not publish separate earnings for these industries, but the difference in pay structures is well known.

In private practice, barristers are usually self-employed. They operate from chambers, take briefs from solicitors, and charge fees per matter or per day. Their income is irregular and depends on reputation, specialisation, and the volume of work. A junior barrister may earn $80,000 to $120,000 in their first few years, while a senior silk (Queen's Counsel) can earn $500,000 or more. The median of $3,495 per week suggests that many barristers are earning well above the average worker, but the distribution is skewed: a small number earn very high incomes, pulling the median up.

In government, barristers are employees. They receive a fixed salary, superannuation (12% from July 2026), and other benefits like leave and a pension scheme in some states. Their pay is set by enterprise agreements or awards. For example, the Legal Services Award MA000116 covers employees in legal firms, but barristers are not classified under that award. However, some government legal roles may be covered by similar instruments. The industries page shows that the Professional, Scientific and Technical sector has an index of 114.7, while Public Administration and Safety is not listed separately but likely sits around the national average. Barristers in government may earn less than their private counterparts but have more stability.

How the barrister salary compares to the national line

The Salary Index uses full-time adult ordinary-time earnings as the benchmark (index 100). For a barrister earning the median $3,495 per week, the index is 167.8. That is higher than most professions. For comparison, the national minimum wage (index 48.2) is $1,004.90 per week. A barrister earns more than three times that. Even within the legal industry, barristers outpace solicitors and paralegals. The Legal Services Award pays a law graduate $1,291.80 per week (index 62.0) and a law clerk $1,369.20 (index 65.7).

But remember: the barrister median is for full-time non-managerial employees. It excludes the self-employed, who make up a large portion of the profession. If self-employed barristers were included, the median might be different – likely higher for successful silks, but lower for those starting out or with inconsistent work.

Caveats and context

• The $3,495 figure is before tax. After tax and Medicare levy, a single barrister earning that amount would take home about $5,500 per fortnight (assuming no HELP debt or other deductions).
• Barristers work long hours: an average of 48 hours per week, compared to 44 for all occupations.
• The median age is 40, and 40% are women. That suggests the profession is relatively experienced, which may inflate the median.
• Superannuation is not included in the earnings figure. For employed barristers, the 12% super guarantee adds about $21,809 to annual remuneration.

The bottom line

A barrister salary in Australia is high by national standards, but it varies enormously by state and industry. If you are considering the profession, look at where you want to practise and whether you prefer the security of government employment or the potential upside of private practice. The how the index works page explains how we calculate these comparisons. For more on legal pay, see our pay guides section.

FAQs

What is the average barrister salary in Australia? According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for barristers are $3,495, which annualises to about $181,740. This is well above the national median of $1,852 per week. However, earnings vary by experience, location, and area of law. Many barristers are self-employed, so income can fluctuate.

How does barrister pay compare to other legal roles? Barristers earn significantly more than employees covered by the Legal Services Award. For example, a law graduate (Level 5) under the award earns $1,291.80 per week ($33.99/hr), while a law clerk (Level 6) earns $1,369.20 per week. Barristers' median of $3,495 is more than double those rates. However, barristers often have irregular income and bear their own business costs.

Do barristers receive superannuation? Employed barristers (e.g., those working for government or large firms) are entitled to the superannuation guarantee, which is 12% from 1 July 2026. Self-employed barristers are responsible for their own super contributions. The median earnings figure from Jobs and Skills Australia does not include super, so total remuneration for employed barristers would be higher.