Law Clerk Salary in Australia: State and Industry Differences
Understand law clerk salary in Australia including award minimums, state variations, and industry benchmarks. Compare to the national salary index.
The minimum award rate for a law clerk (Level 6) is $1,369.20 per week, giving an index of about 66 against the national line of 100, but actual salaries vary by state and industry.
What is a law clerk?
A law clerk is a specialised legal support role defined under the Legal Services Award 2020 as a clerk engaged for the major part of their time in interviewing clients, preparing documents and general work assisting a barrister or solicitor. This excludes account clerks, law graduates, titles office clerks, receptionists, and employees principally engaged in word processing, computer use, filing, or routine duties. The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code is 599214.
The award minimum for a law clerk
From 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rate for a full-time law clerk at Level 6 is $1,369.20, or $36.03 per hour. This is well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (index 48.2). To put it on the Salary Index, we annualise the weekly rate: $1,369.20 × 52 = $71,198.40. Dividing by the national line of $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026) and multiplying by 100 gives an index of 65.7. That means a law clerk on the award minimum earns about two-thirds of the typical full-time adult ordinary-time earnings.
However, the award is a floor. Many law clerks, especially in private law firms, earn above the minimum. The pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman show that classification levels can increase with experience and responsibility.
State differences in law clerk pay
Jobs and Skills Australia data shows that 27.3% of law clerks work in New South Wales, with smaller shares in Victoria, Queensland, and other states. The median age is 29, and 81% are female. While median weekly earnings are not published for the 6-digit occupation, we can look at state-level wage indices to infer patterns.
Using the states benchmarks from the Australian Bureau of Statistics:
- New South Wales: index 101.2 (annualised $109,658)
- Victoria: index 98.0 ($106,137)
- Queensland: index 97.9 ($106,064)
- South Australia: index 94.6 ($102,450)
- Western Australia: index 106.9 ($115,825)
- Tasmania: index 88.6 ($96,008)
- Northern Territory: index 95.2 ($103,173)
- Australian Capital Territory: index 109.9 ($119,090)
Law clerks in Western Australia and the ACT are likely to earn more than those in Tasmania or South Australia, reflecting the overall wage premium in those states. For example, a law clerk on the award minimum in WA might see a market rate closer to $1,500 per week, while in Tasmania the same role might pay near the award.
Industry differences
Law clerks work predominantly in two industries: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (which includes legal practices) and Public Administration and Safety (government legal departments). The industries index for professional services is 114.7, meaning average earnings in that sector are 14.7% above the national line. For public administration, the index is around 97.8 (health care and social assistance) but government legal roles often have separate pay scales.
A law clerk in a top-tier commercial law firm in Sydney or Melbourne could earn significantly more than the award, perhaps $80,000–$90,000 per year (index 74–83). In contrast, a law clerk in a regional community legal centre might be paid closer to the award minimum.
Salary index and take-home pay
The salary index is a simple tool: your annual gross salary divided by $108,352, times 100. For the award minimum of $71,198, the index is 65.7. If you earn $85,000, the index is 78.5. You can use the how the index works page to calculate your own.
Take-home pay after tax and Medicare levy (2026–27 rates, assuming no HELP debt or other deductions):
- Award minimum ($71,198): tax on income between $45,001 and $71,198 is 30% on $26,197 = $7,859, plus 15% on $26,800 = $4,020, total tax $11,879, plus Medicare 2% = $1,424, total deductions $13,303, take-home $57,895.
- A higher salary of $85,000: tax $16,579 + Medicare $1,700 = $18,279, take-home $66,721.
Remember that superannuation is additional. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. On $71,198, that’s $8,544 per year contributed to your super fund.
How to use this guide
This guide is based on publicly available information from the Fair Work Ombudsman, Jobs and Skills Australia, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. For the most current award rates, check the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides. If you’re negotiating a salary, consider your state’s wage level, the industry, and your experience. The salary index helps you see where you sit relative to the national average.
For more on related roles, see our topics on legal salaries and award classifications.
Questions people ask
What is the average law clerk salary in Australia?
There is no published average salary for law clerks at the 6-digit ANZSCO level. The minimum award rate for a Level 6 law clerk under the Legal Services Award is $1,369.20 per week ($36.03 per hour). Actual salaries depend on experience, location, and employer type, and can be significantly higher in private practice or in states like Western Australia and the ACT.
How does a law clerk salary compare to other legal roles?
Law clerks are paid above legal clerical and administrative employees (Levels 1–5, ranging from $1,073.10 to $1,291.80 per week) but below solicitors and barristers. The law graduate classification sits at Level 5 ($1,291.80), while the law clerk is Level 6. In professional services, the industry index is 114.7, suggesting law clerks in that sector may earn above the national average.
Do law clerks receive penalty rates or overtime?
Yes, under the Legal Services Award, law clerks are entitled to penalty rates for early morning, afternoon, and night shifts, as well as overtime. For example, a Level 6 law clerk working the first 3 hours of an afternoon or night shift on less than 5 successive shifts receives $54.05 per hour (150% of the ordinary rate). Weekend and public holiday rates also apply.