Where does a criminal lawyer salary sit against the national average?
If you are a criminal lawyer or considering the field, you probably want to know how your pay compares to the typical Australian full-time worker. The short answer is that there is no single published figure for criminal lawyer salaries, but we can piece together clues from official sources and industry surveys.
The national benchmark
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year when multiplied by 52. This is the line that Place a salary on the line uses as its reference point. The full-time median is lower at about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). So the average is pulled up by higher earners.
What the data says about legal professionals
The College of Law 2025 Australian Legal Salary Survey, based on more than 1,100 respondents, found an average base salary of $109,353 across all legal roles. That is just above the national full-time average. However, this figure covers everyone from paralegals to partners, and it is not broken down by practice area. Criminal law is often perceived as a lower-paying speciality compared to corporate or commercial law, especially in the early years.
For the lowest rungs, the Fair Work Legal Services Award (MA000116) sets minimum rates for legal clerical and administrative employees. From 1 July 2026, a Level 1 employee earns $1,073.10 per week (about $55,801 a year) and a Level 2 earns $1,119.10 (about $58,193). These are not lawyer rates, but they show the floor for support staff. Qualified solicitors are generally not covered by this award; their pay is set by enterprise agreements or individual contracts.
What would move a criminal lawyer’s pay above or below the average?
Several factors can push a criminal lawyer’s salary above or below the $108,352 line:
- Sector: Criminal lawyers in the public sector (e.g., Legal Aid, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions) are often paid under state government awards. These salaries tend to be structured and may start below the national average but offer progression. Private criminal defence firms can vary widely; some boutique firms pay well, while others rely on Legal Aid grants that cap fees.
- Location: State full-time averages differ. For example, the Australian Capital Territory average is about $119,090, while Tasmania is about $96,008. A criminal lawyer in Canberra may earn more than one in Hobart, reflecting both cost of living and market rates. See States and territories for details.
- Experience and seniority: Junior solicitors may earn $70,000–$90,000, while senior associates or partners can exceed $150,000. Barristers who specialise in criminal law can have highly variable incomes, with top silks earning well above the average.
- Type of work: Duty lawyer work, often done on a roster, may pay less than running complex trials or appeals. Private clients willing to pay higher fees can boost earnings.
How the figures are set
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey measures the level of average earnings at a point in time. It does not capture every occupation. The College of Law survey is voluntary and may over-represent certain sectors. For criminal lawyers specifically, the ATO publishes tax data by occupation, but that is not included in this analysis. The best approach is to use the national average as a starting point and adjust for your circumstances. How the figures are set explains the methodology.
The minimum wage context
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75%. A criminal lawyer earning below the full-time average of $108,352 is still well above the minimum, but the gap between the median and the average shows that many full-time workers earn less than the mean.
Final thoughts
Without a dedicated survey for criminal lawyers, the best estimate is that the average criminal lawyer salary likely falls near or slightly below the national full-time average of $108,352, especially for those in government roles or early in their careers. Private practitioners and senior barristers can exceed it. For a more personalised comparison, use the Job medians tool or consult industry-specific sources.
Remember that the national average is a broad measure. Your own salary will depend on your employer, location, experience, and negotiation. The line on this site is the ABS full-time ordinary-time average – a useful benchmark, not a target.