Legal Secretary Salary: Where It Sits on the Australian Salary Index
Explore the legal secretary salary in Australia, including award rates, employment data, and how it compares to the national salary index of 100.
Legal secretary pay typically falls below the national average, with award minima ranging from index 51.5 to 65.7, but actual market rates vary.
What Is a Legal Secretary Salary?
A legal secretary salary refers to the pay for administrative professionals who support lawyers and legal teams. In Australia, these roles are officially classified as Legal Secretaries (ANZSCO 521212) or, under the Legal Services Award, as legal clerical and administrative employees. The keyword 'legal secretary salary' covers both award minimums and market rates, but official median figures are not published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics or Jobs and Skills Australia.
Where Legal Secretary Pay Sits on the Salary Index
The Salary Index benchmarks occupations against the national line of 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). For legal secretaries, award minima place the role well below that line:
- Level 1 legal clerical employee: $1,073.10/week → $55,801/year → index 51.5
- Level 3: $1,182.10/week → $61,469/year → index 56.7
- Level 5: $1,291.80/week → $67,174/year → index 62.0
- Law clerk (Level 6): $1,369.20/week → $71,198/year → index 65.7
These are the legal minimums from the Fair Work Ombudsman's Legal Services Award, effective 1 July 2026. Actual legal secretary salaries often exceed award rates, especially in private law firms, but the occupation generally sits in the lower half of the national pay scale. For comparison, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2, and the retail trade industry average is index 75.9. Legal secretaries typically fall between those two points.
Employment Profile of Legal Secretaries
Jobs and Skills Australia reports 7,700 legal secretaries employed nationally. The workforce is overwhelmingly female (97%), with a median age of 42. Only 59% work full-time; the rest work part-time, which affects annual salary comparisons. Full-time legal secretaries average 39 hours per week, slightly below the all-occupations average of 44 hours. The main industry is Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (legal services).
Award Coverage and Minimum Rates
The Legal Services Award 2020 (MA000116) covers legal secretaries as 'legal clerical and administrative employees' across five levels, plus law graduates and law clerks. The award sets minimum weekly pay, penalty rates, overtime, and superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026). Employers must pay at least these rates. The award also includes shift loadings and allowances. For the full schedule, see the pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman.
Level Classifications
- Level 1: Routine clerical tasks, minimal legal knowledge.
- Level 2: More complex tasks, some legal terminology.
- Level 3: Experienced secretarial work, dictation, document preparation.
- Level 4: Advanced tasks, supervision, specialised legal support.
- Level 5: Senior secretarial, possibly supervising others.
- Law graduate (Level 5): Graduate performing legal work under supervision.
- Law clerk (Level 6): Clerical legal work, often while studying.
State and Industry Variations
Legal secretary salaries vary by state and industry. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest average earnings index (109.9), while Tasmania is lowest (88.6). Legal secretaries in Canberra or Sydney may earn more than those in Hobart or Adelaide. The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry (which includes legal) has an average index of 114.7, but that reflects all roles including lawyers and partners, not just secretaries.
Take-Home Pay Example
A legal secretary earning the Level 3 award rate ($61,469/year) would have a gross weekly pay of $1,182.10. After tax (2026–27 rates, no HELP or Medicare levy surcharge), the estimated take-home is roughly $940 per week, or $48,900 per year. This includes the 2% Medicare levy but excludes salary sacrifice. Higher earners at Level 5 ($67,174/year) take home about $1,010 weekly.
How to Use the Salary Index for Legal Secretaries
The Salary Index helps compare any pay figure to the national benchmark. For a legal secretary earning $70,000, the index is 64.6 (70,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100). For $55,000, it's 50.8. This puts the role in the lower-middle range of Australian occupations. The index is a gross ordinary-time benchmark, not a quote for a specific job.
Key Takeaways
- No official median salary exists for legal secretaries; award rates are the only published minimums.
- Award rates range from index 51.5 to 65.7, well below the national average of 100.
- Actual market rates are higher, especially for experienced secretaries in large firms.
- Part-time work is common, so annual comparisons should be treated with caution.
- The Legal Services Award sets conditions; always check the latest pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman.
For more on how different roles compare, see industries and topics.
Questions people ask
What is the average legal secretary salary in Australia?
There is no published average or median salary for legal secretaries from official sources. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Legal Services Award sets minimum rates from $1,073.10 per week (Level 1) to $1,369.20 per week (Law clerk Level 6) as of July 2026. Actual salaries vary by experience, firm size, and location, often exceeding award minima.
Which award covers legal secretaries?
Legal secretaries are covered by the Legal Services Award 2020 (MA000116) under the classification 'legal clerical and administrative employee' (Levels 1–5). Law graduates and law clerks also fall under this award. The award sets minimum pay, overtime, and conditions. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman for the latest pay guide.
How does a legal secretary salary compare to the national salary index?
The national salary index (100) equals $108,352 per year. Award minimums for legal secretaries range from about $55,801 (index 51.5) to $71,198 (index 65.7). Most legal secretaries earn below the national average, though experienced senior secretaries in top firms may reach index 80 or higher. Part-time work also lowers annual comparisons.