What is the minimum wage for a lawyer in Melbourne under the Legal Services Award?

The Legal Services Award 2020 sets minimum rates for legal clerical and administrative employees, law graduates, and law clerks. For a law graduate (Level 5) the minimum weekly rate from 1 July 2026 is $1,291.80 ($33.99 per hour). A law clerk (Level 6) receives $1,369.20 per week ($36.03 per hour). These rates apply to employees covered by the award; many qualified solicitors are not award‑covered and earn higher negotiated salaries.

How does the award minimum compare with the average lawyer salary in Melbourne?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. That figure includes all occupations, not just lawyers. For legal professionals specifically, the average is typically higher than the award minimum, but the ABS does not publish a separate lawyer‑only average. Enterprise agreements or individual contracts often set rates well above the award floor.

Does superannuation apply on top of the lawyer salary in Melbourne?

Yes. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into a complying super fund. This is on top of the base salary or wage. For a law graduate on the award minimum of $1,291.80 per week, the employer would contribute about $155.02 per week in super. The super guarantee applies to all employees, including those covered by the Legal Services Award.

Lawyer Salary Melbourne: Which Pay Floor Applies Under the Legal Services Award

The minimum hourly rate for a law graduate (Level 5) under the Legal Services Award is $33.99, but many lawyers earn above award rates; the national average full‑time adult weekly earnings are $2,083.70.

Lawyer Salary Melbourne: Understanding the Pay Floor

When searching for a lawyer salary melbourne, it is easy to confuse the legal minimum with what most lawyers actually earn. This guide separates the award rate, the national minimum wage, and survey averages so you can see which pay floor applies and how your own pay compares.

The Legal Services Award – the minimum for many legal roles

The Fair Work Commission’s Legal Services Award 2020 () covers employers in the legal services industry and their employees in classifications listed in Schedule A. The award does not cover every lawyer – for example, a senior solicitor or partner may be award‑free – but it does set minimum rates for:

Legal clerical and administrative employees (Levels 1–5)
Law graduates (Level 5)
Law clerks (Level 6)

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rates are:

Classification	Weekly rate	Hourly rate
Level 1 – Legal clerical/admin	$1,073.10	$28.24
Level 2 – Legal clerical/admin	$1,119.10	$29.45
Level 3 – Legal clerical/admin	$1,182.10	$31.11
Level 4 – Legal clerical/admin	$1,241.40	$32.67
Level 5 – Legal clerical/admin or Law graduate	$1,291.80	$33.99
Level 6 – Law clerk	$1,369.20	$36.03

These figures come from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide () and the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database ().

The national minimum wage – a backstop for award‑free workers

If a lawyer is not covered by any award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, that is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week). Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. However, most lawyers in Melbourne will be covered by an award or an agreement that sets a higher rate.

Survey averages – what lawyers typically earn

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. That figure is for all occupations, not just lawyers. For legal professionals, the average is likely higher, but the ABS does not publish a separate “lawyer” median. Enterprise agreements, individual contracts, and market conditions push actual salaries well above the award floor. A graduate solicitor in a commercial firm might earn $70,000–$85,000 per year, while a senior associate could earn $120,000–$180,000. These are negotiated amounts, not set by the award.

Superannuation – paid on top

All minimum rates and negotiated salaries are before superannuation. Employers must pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into a complying super fund. For a law graduate on the award minimum of $1,291.80 per week, the employer contributes about $155.02 per week in super. This is not deducted from the salary; it is an extra payment.

What people mix up

A common mistake is to assume that the award rate for a “law graduate” is the same as the salary for a qualified solicitor. The award classification only covers employees performing the duties described in Schedule A. A solicitor who manages files, appears in court, or gives legal advice may be classified at a higher level or may not be covered by the award at all. Another mix‑up is confusing the national minimum wage ($26.44) with the award minimum for a law graduate ($33.99). The award rate is higher because it reflects the skill and responsibility of the role.

How to check your own rate

If you work in legal services and are unsure which pay floor applies, start by finding the correct award classification. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool can help. You can also consult your enterprise agreement or individual contract. Remember that an award or agreement can set a higher rate, but never a lower one. For more detail, see our Rate tables and How the figures work.

Summary

Lawyer salary melbourne is not a single figure. The award minimum for a law graduate is $33.99 per hour, but most lawyers earn more. The national average full‑time earnings are $2,083.70 per week. Super of 12% is paid on top.
Always separate the legal minimum from a survey average, an award rate, and a negotiated salary. Use the Fair Work Commission’s database for official rates.

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