Criminal lawyer salary in Australia: where it sits on the national pay index

Where a criminal lawyer salary sits on the Australian salary index

If you are asking about a criminal lawyer salary in Australia, the short answer is that the typical full-time criminal lawyer earns around the national average. Using the most recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Fair Work Ombudsman, we can place a criminal lawyer’s pay on the Salary Index. The index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings – currently $2,083.70 per week or $108,352 a year.

The median solicitor – the closest benchmark for criminal lawyers

There is no separate occupation called “criminal lawyer” in the official statistics. Instead, criminal lawyers are grouped under the ANZSCO occupation Solicitors (2713). According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for solicitors are $2,070. That gives an index of 99.3 – just a hair below the national line. The median hourly rate is $56, well above the national minimum wage of $26.44.

This means a criminal lawyer with a few years of experience is likely earning about the same as the average full-time worker across all professions. But the range is wide. A newly admitted solicitor might start on an award-based salary, while a senior criminal barrister or partner in a criminal law firm can earn much more.

Starting out: the award floor for law graduates

If you are a law graduate working in a criminal law practice before admission, the Legal Services Award 2020 sets a minimum rate. A law graduate at Level 5 gets $1,291.80 per week, or $33.99 per hour. That is an index of 62.0 – about 38% below the national line. Once admitted as a solicitor, you move outside the award and your salary is negotiated individually.

The award also covers legal clerical and administrative staff. For example, a Level 1 legal clerical employee earns $1,073.10 per week (index 51.5). These roles support criminal lawyers but are not the same occupation.

How location affects a criminal lawyer salary

Where you work matters. The states page shows that the national index varies: Western Australia sits at 106.9, New South Wales at 101.2, Victoria at 98.0, and Tasmania at 88.6. A criminal lawyer in Perth may earn a premium over one in Hobart, reflecting the overall wage differences in those states. The same applies to city versus regional practice.

Superannuation and tax on a criminal lawyer salary

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% on top of your salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on a $107,640 salary, your employer adds about $12,917 to your super each year.

For income tax (2026–27 rates, excluding Medicare), a criminal lawyer earning the median $107,640 falls into the 30% bracket (from $45,001 to $135,000). After the tax-free threshold and a 2% Medicare levy, the estimated take-home pay is around $80,000 to $85,000 per year, depending on deductions and HELP repayments.

How the salary index helps you compare

The how the index works page explains that the index is simply your annual gross salary divided by $108,352, multiplied by 100. An index of 99 means you earn 99% of the national average. An index of 130 means 30% above. For criminal lawyers, the median sits at 99, but early-career lawyers may be at 62, and senior lawyers can exceed 150.

Industries where criminal lawyers work

Criminal lawyers are employed in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry (which has an overall index of 114.7) and in Public Administration and Safety. The industry index is higher than the solicitor median because it includes many high-earning professionals. But criminal lawyers in private practice may earn less than corporate lawyers, while those in government legal roles may have more stable but lower pay.

What the data does not tell you

The ABS median for solicitors is a broad figure. It does not separate criminal law from commercial law, family law, or other specialisations. Criminal lawyers often work in smaller firms or as sole practitioners, which can mean lower average earnings than the big commercial firms. On the other hand, experienced criminal barristers can command very high fees. The data is a guide, not a quote for your specific situation.

For more detail on award rates, see the pay guides section. For a breakdown by state, visit states. And to understand the full methodology behind the index, read how the index works.

Summary

A criminal lawyer salary in Australia typically sits around the national average, with an index of about 99. Starting salaries for law graduates are lower (index 62), while experienced criminal lawyers can exceed the national line. Use the salary index to compare any pay figure against the Australian benchmark.