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Family Lawyer Salary: How It Compares to National Averages

The median salary for solicitors, which includes family lawyers, is about $107,640 per year, close to the national full-time average of $108,352.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Family Lawyer Salary: A Year, a Week, and an Hour

If you are researching a family lawyer salary in Australia, the most reliable figures come from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia. While there is no published average or median specifically for family lawyers, the data for the broader solicitor occupation provides a strong benchmark. This page explains how that pay compares to the national full-time average, the median for all workers, and the minimum wage, and what it means for your take-home pay.

The Solicitor Benchmark

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that solicitors (ANZSCO 2713) have a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,070, based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours from May 2025. That translates to about $107,640 per year (52 weeks). This figure is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a median, meaning half of solicitors earn more and half earn less. Family lawyers fall under this occupation, so this is the best available guide.

How It Stacks Up Against the National Full-Time Average

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. The solicitor median of $2,070 is very close to that average—just $13.70 per week less. This means a typical family lawyer earns roughly the same as the average full-time worker, but remember that the national average includes many high-earning managers and professionals, while the solicitor median is a middle point for that specific occupation.

For context, the national full-time median (all occupations) is about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100. Family lawyers sit well above both of those medians.

Reading the Same Pay as a Week and an Hour

The Average line tool converts any yearly salary into a weekly and hourly figure based on a standard 38-hour week. For a family lawyer earning the solicitor median of $107,640 a year, that works out to about $2,070 per week and $54.47 per hour. Compare that to the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) or the Legal Services Award minimums, which range from $28.24 to $36.03 per hour for clerical and law clerk roles. Most family lawyers earn well above award rates.

State-by-State Differences

Where you work affects your pay. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, gives full-time adult ordinary-time averages for each state and territory. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at about $119,090 per year, while Tasmania is lowest at about $96,008. A family lawyer in Canberra might earn more than the national solicitor median, while one in Hobart might earn less. You can explore these differences on our States and territories page.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

For the 2026–27 income year, a family lawyer earning $107,640 would fall into the 30% tax bracket (income between $45,001 and $135,000). After the tax-free threshold of $18,200, the first $26,800 is taxed at 15%, and the remainder at 30%. Plus the 2% Medicare levy (unless reduced). The exact take-home pay depends on individual circumstances, but the Place a salary on the line tool can show you the weekly and hourly figures after tax.

Where to Find More

For detailed comparisons across occupations, see our Job medians page. The figures here are based on the most recent ABS releases and Fair Work determinations. Remember that averages and medians are snapshots; your actual salary will depend on experience, location, and employer.

Key Takeaways

  • The best proxy for a family lawyer salary is the solicitor median of $2,070 per week ($107,640 per year).
  • That is very close to the national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year).
  • It is well above the national full-time median ($90,532) and the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour).
  • State averages vary, with the ACT highest and Tasmania lowest.
  • Use the Average line tools to see your own salary in weekly and hourly terms.

Questions

What is the average salary for a family lawyer in Australia?

There is no published average specifically for family lawyers. However, the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) reports a median weekly earnings of $2,070 for all solicitors (full-time non-managerial). That works out to about $107,640 a year. This is close to 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.

How does a family lawyer salary compare to the national median?

The national full-time median earnings for all employees is about $90,532 a year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The solicitor median of $107,640 is well above that. It also sits above the all-employees median of about $74,100. Family lawyers typically earn more than the average worker, reflecting the specialised legal training and experience required.

What is the minimum wage for legal professionals under the award?

The Legal Services Award sets minimum rates for legal clerical and administrative employees, law graduates, and law clerks, but not for solicitors (who are usually above award). From 1 July 2026, the award rates range from $1,073.10 per week (Level 1) to $1,369.20 per week (Law Clerk Level 6). The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Most family lawyers earn significantly more than these minimums.

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