Lawyer Salary Australia: State and Industry Differences Explained

What is a lawyer salary in Australia?

When people search for "lawyer salary Australia", they usually want a realistic figure they can compare to their own pay or to job offers. The answer isn't a single number because lawyers work in different states, industries, and types of practice. This guide uses the latest public data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Jobs and Skills Australia, and the Fair Work Ombudsman to show where lawyer pay sits against the national line.

The national picture for solicitors

The most recent official data comes from Jobs and Skills Australia, which reports that solicitors (ANZSCO 2713) earn a median full-time weekly income of $2,070 before tax. That works out to about $107,640 a year. Compare that to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark of $108,352 (index 100). A solicitor's median pay therefore sits at an index of roughly 99.3 – almost exactly on the national line.

But remember: this is the median for full-time non-managerial solicitors paid at the adult rate. It excludes part-timers, managers, and those on junior rates. About 89% of solicitors work full time, averaging 46 hours per week, according to the same source. Their median hourly earnings are $56, compared to $47 for all occupations.

State differences in lawyer pay

Where you work matters a lot. The Salary Index benchmarks each state's ordinary-time earnings against the national line. Here are the state indices from the on-site reference:

• ACT: 109.9 (annualised $119,090)
• Western Australia: 106.9 ($115,825)
• New South Wales: 101.2 ($109,658)
• Queensland: 97.9 ($106,064)
• Victoria: 98.0 ($106,137)
• Northern Territory: 95.2 ($103,173)
• South Australia: 94.6 ($102,450)
• Tasmania: 88.6 ($96,008)

These are averages across all occupations, but they reflect the general cost of labour in each state. Lawyers in the ACT and WA often earn above the national median because of demand in government and resources sectors. For example, a lawyer working in Canberra's public service or a Perth mining firm might earn well over $120,000. In contrast, a regional solicitor in Tasmania might earn closer to $90,000.

The ABS also publishes average weekly total cash earnings by state for all employees. In May 2025, the national average was $1,611.10 per week. The ACT ($1,820.50) and WA ($1,710.40) were highest; Tasmania ($1,389.00) was lowest. While not lawyer-specific, these figures reinforce the state trends.

Industry differences: private practice vs government

Lawyers work mainly in two broad industries: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (private law firms) and Public Administration and Safety (government legal departments). The industries page shows that Professional, Scientific and Technical Services has an index of 114.7 – above the national line. That industry's average weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees is $2,155.80, or about $112,100 a year. Many lawyers in private practice fall into this category.

Government lawyers in Public Administration and Safety earn slightly less on average. The ABS reports average weekly total cash earnings of $2,001 for all employees in that industry, and $2,190.50 for full-time non-managerial workers. That annualises to roughly $113,900, but includes many non-legal roles. Public sector lawyers often have structured pay scales based on classification levels.

Other industries that employ lawyers include Finance and Insurance Services (index not given but average weekly earnings $2,181.20) and Mining (index 154.7, but few lawyers work there). The key takeaway: industry choice can shift your lawyer salary by 10–20% above or below the national median.

How the Salary Index works

The Salary Index converts a yearly gross salary into a simple number: your annual pay divided by the national line ($108,352) times 100. So a lawyer earning $120,000 has an index of 110.8 – 10.8% above the national average. A junior lawyer on $75,000 has an index of 69.2. This makes it easy to compare across states and industries without getting lost in dollar figures.

Award minimums and superannuation

Even though most lawyers earn above award, the Legal Services Award sets a legal floor. From 1 July 2026, award rates rose by 4.75%. For example, a Law Clerk (Level 1) gets a minimum hourly rate of about $25.74. Qualified solicitors are often classified at higher levels or are award-free. You can check the latest pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman for exact figures.

Superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, paid on top of your salary. So a $100,000 salary includes $12,000 in super, making total remuneration $112,000. Remember that super is not part of your take-home pay but is a compulsory retirement saving.

Take-home pay example

For a resident lawyer earning the median $107,640 in 2026–27, tax (excluding Medicare) would be roughly:

• $0 on first $18,200
• 15% on next $26,800 = $4,020
• 30% on next $90,000 = $27,000
• 37% on remaining $? Actually $107,640 - $18,200 - $26,800 - $90,000 = -$27,360? Let's recalc: $107,640 - $18,200 = $89,440. Tax: 15% on $26,800 = $4,020; 30% on $62,640 = $18,792; total $22,812. Plus 2% Medicare levy = $2,152.80. Total tax about $24,965. Take-home around $82,675. But this ignores HELP, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge.

Summary

A typical lawyer salary in Australia is around the national average of $108,000, but state and industry differences can push it 10–15% higher or lower. Use the states and industries pages to see how your location and sector compare. The how the index works page explains the calculation in more detail. For award rates, check the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides.

Remember: these are benchmarks, not quotes for a specific job. Your actual pay depends on experience, firm size, specialisation, and negotiation.