Paralegal salary: award minimums and the national picture
If you are looking at a paralegal salary in Australia, the first place to check is the Legal Services Award, which sets minimum rates for law clerks and legal clerical employees. The award is published by Fair Work and applies to most private‑sector legal employers.
Award minimums for paralegals
The Legal Services Award (MA000116) classifies paralegals as law clerks (level 6) or legal clerical and administrative employees (levels 1–5). From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rate for a law clerk at level 6 is $1,369.20. That is $36.03 an hour on a 38‑hour week. Lower classifications start at $1,073.10 a week (level 1).
These are minimums. Many paralegals in top‑tier firms or with experience earn above the award rate. The Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool can help you check the exact rate for your classification.
How a paralegal salary compares to the national full‑time average
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes the national full‑time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings twice a year. In May 2026 the figure was $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (× 52). That is the line used on this site.
A law clerk on the award minimum of $1,369.20 a week earns about $71,198 a year – roughly 66% of the national average. The full‑time median (from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, August 2025) is about $90,532 a year, so the award minimum is also below the typical full‑time worker.
For all employees (including part‑time), the median weekly earnings are $1,436, or about $74,100 a year. A paralegal on the award minimum sits just below that all‑employee median.
State variations
Full‑time average earnings vary by state. For example, the ACT has the highest average at about $119,090 a year, while Tasmania is lowest at about $96,008. A paralegal on the award minimum would be further behind the average in the ACT than in Tasmania. See the state averages for more detail.
Take‑home pay and tax
On a $71,198 annual salary, a resident taxpayer in 2026–27 pays:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on the next $26,800 (to $45,000)
- 30% on the next $26,198 (to $71,198)
That gives an income tax of about $11,859, plus a 2% Medicare levy of $1,424. After tax and Medicare, take‑home pay is roughly $57,915 a year, or $1,114 a week.
Where to find more data
The ABS publishes detailed earnings by occupation in the Employee Earnings and Hours survey. While it does not have a specific “paralegal” category, you can look at “Legal, social and welfare professionals” or “Clerical and administrative workers” for broader context. Browse job medians for related roles.
For a full picture of how pay is set, see How the figures are set.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum award rate for a paralegal in Australia? Under the Legal Services Award (MA000116), a law clerk at level 6 is entitled to a weekly minimum of $1,369.20 (from 1 July 2026). That works out to $36.03 an hour on a 38‑hour week. Lower classifications (legal clerical and administrative employee, level 1) start at $1,073.10 a week. Many paralegals are paid above the award, especially in private practice.
How does a paralegal salary compare to the national full‑time average? The national full‑time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026), or about $108,352 a year. A law clerk on the award minimum earns about $71,198 a year, which is roughly 66% of the national average. The full‑time median is about $90,532, so the award minimum is also below that.
What is the take‑home pay for a paralegal on the award minimum? On $71,198 a year, a resident taxpayer in 2026–27 pays no tax on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800, and 30% on the remaining $26,198. That gives an income tax of about $11,859, plus a 2% Medicare levy ($1,424). After tax and Medicare, take‑home pay is roughly $57,915 a year, or $1,114 a week.