Barrister salary vs the national full-time average
Barristers are among the highest-paid legal professionals. According to [], the median full-time weekly earnings for barristers are $3,495 a week, which is about $181,740 a year (based on a 38-hour week). This is well above the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 a week ($108,352 a year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. The barrister median also exceeds the all-employees median of $1,436 a week ($74,100 a year) and the full-time median of $1,852 a week ($90,532 a year) from the ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025.
What moves barrister pay above the line
The barrister median is already above the national average. However, individual barristers can earn significantly more or less. Senior barristers with a strong reputation or those specialising in high-value commercial litigation can command fees far above the median. Conversely, junior barristers, those in less profitable areas of law, or those working in regional areas may earn below the median and possibly below the national average.
Factors that influence barrister earnings
Experience and seniority
Newly called barristers often earn modestly, sometimes below the national full-time average. As they build experience and a client base, earnings rise. Senior counsel (silks) can earn multiples of the median.
Location
State full-time averages vary. For example, the Australian Capital Territory average is $119,090 a year, while Tasmania is $96,008. A barrister in Tasmania might earn below the national average if they are junior, but the median barrister earnings are still above the state average. However, a barrister in the ACT might be closer to the median. The state averages from the ABS show that barristers in higher-paying states like Western Australia ($115,825) or the ACT may have higher earning potential.
Sector and client base
Barristers are typically self-employed, so their earnings depend on the volume and value of briefs. Those who work in commercial law, tax, or intellectual property tend to earn more than those in family law or legal aid. Public sector barristers (e.g., government legal work) may have more stable but lower earnings compared to private practice.
Type of work
Full-time barristers work an average of 48 hours per week (Jobs and Skills Australia), which is above the average of 44 hours for all occupations. Longer hours can boost total earnings but also affect hourly rates.
How the figures are set
The national full-time average is from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, released twice a year. The barrister median is from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, customised for Jobs and Skills Australia. These are different measures: the average is a mean, while the median is the middle value. The barrister median is for full-time non-managerial employees, but many barristers are self-employed, so the data may not capture all earnings. For a more detailed explanation, see How the figures are set.
Where to see more
If you want to compare your salary to the national average, use the Place a salary on the line tool. For medians across occupations, see Job medians. For state-by-state comparisons, see States and territories.