Paralegal Salary: Award Rates and Minimum Pay in Australia

Paralegal Salary Under the Legal Services Award

When researching a paralegal salary in Australia, the first place to look is the Legal Services Award 2020, which covers most employees in the legal services industry. This award, published by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman, sets minimum pay rates for classifications that include paralegals, law clerks, and legal administrative staff. The rates below apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Award Minimum Rates for Paralegals

Under the Legal Services Award, a paralegal is typically classified as a Level 6 Law Clerk or a Level 5 Law Graduate, depending on duties and qualifications. The minimum hourly rates are:

• Level 6 Law Clerk: $36.03 per hour ($1,369.20 per week)
• Level 5 Law Graduate: $33.99 per hour ($1,291.80 per week)
• Level 4 Legal Clerical and Administrative Employee: $32.67 per hour ($1,241.40 per week)
• Level 3 Legal Clerical and Administrative Employee: $31.11 per hour ($1,182.10 per week)

These are the legal minimums. Many law firms pay above award, especially in metropolitan areas or for experienced paralegals. The award also provides for casual loading of 25%, so a casual paralegal at Level 6 would receive $45.04 per hour.

How the National Minimum Wage Applies

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week) from 1 July 2026. This is a backstop: no award-covered employee can be paid less than the national minimum, but because the award rates for paralegals are higher, the award rate is the relevant floor. For award-free employees (rare in legal services), the national minimum applies.

Superannuation Is on Top

All minimum rates discussed are base salaries. Employers must also pay the super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a full-time Level 6 Law Clerk earning $1,369.20 per week, the employer contributes an additional $164.30 per week to super. This is not deducted from the employee’s pay.

Junior and Casual Rates

If a paralegal is under 21, the award allows a percentage of the adult rate. For example, a 19-year-old Level 6 Law Clerk would receive 80% of $36.03, or $28.82 per hour. Casual employees get a 25% loading instead of paid leave. The award also includes penalty rates for evening, night, and weekend work.

Enterprise Agreements and Market Salaries

A law firm may have an enterprise agreement that sets higher pay and conditions than the award. In that case, the agreement rate applies. Market salaries for paralegals can vary widely. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides and the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database provide the official minimums, but for a true market picture, you would need to consult industry surveys or job advertisements. No authoritative survey median was found in the search results used for this guide.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

For a full-time paralegal on the Level 6 award rate of $1,369.20 per week, annualised ordinary earnings are about $71,198.40. Using 2026–27 tax rates with the full tax-free threshold, the estimated tax is around $12,700, plus Medicare levy of 2% (approximately $1,424). That leaves a weekly take-home of roughly $1,100. This is a rough estimate and does not include the low-income tax offset, HELP repayments, or salary sacrifice.

Summary

The paralegal salary in Australia is primarily governed by the Legal Services Award 2020. The minimum hourly rate for a Level 6 Law Clerk is $36.03, well above the national minimum wage. Employers must pay super on top, and many pay above award. For the most current rates, refer to the Rate tables on this site or the Guides for award coverage. Always check the specific classification that matches your duties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage for a paralegal in Australia?

The minimum wage for a paralegal depends on their classification under the Legal Services Award 2020. For a Level 6 Law Clerk, the minimum hourly rate is $36.03 (as of 1 July 2026). For a Level 5 Law Graduate, it is $33.99 per hour. Lower classifications for legal clerical and administrative employees range from $28.24 to $33.99 per hour. These rates are the legal minimum; many employers pay above award.

Does the paralegal salary include superannuation?

No, the minimum rates under the award do not include superannuation. The super guarantee requires employers to pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into a super fund on top of the base salary. For a Level 6 Law Clerk earning $36.03 per hour, the employer must also contribute about $4.32 per hour in super.

Can a paralegal be paid less than the award rate?

Generally, no. The Legal Services Award 2020 is a modern award that applies to most paralegals in the legal services industry. Employers must pay at least the award rate for the appropriate classification. However, junior employees (under 21) may be paid a percentage of the adult rate, and trainees or supported wage employees may have different minimums. An enterprise agreement can also set higher, but not lower, rates.