What is the minimum hourly rate for a law graduate under the Legal Services Award?

From 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for a Level 5 law graduate is $33.99 per hour for full-time employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $42.49 per hour.

How do I calculate my annual salary from an hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by 38 hours per week, then by 52 weeks. For example, $33.99 × 38 × 52 = $67,158.24. This assumes no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances.

What tax and super should I expect on a lawyer salary?

For 2026–27, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above. Medicare levy is 2%. Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings paid on top, capped at a maximum contribution base of $270,830.

Lawyer Salary Guide: Hourly to Annual Pay Under the Legal Services Award

For a law graduate under the Legal Services Award, the minimum hourly rate is $33.99, giving an annual gross of $67,158.24 based on a 38-hour week and 52 weeks.

Understanding the Lawyer Salary Landscape

When you search for a "lawyer salary" in Australia, the figures vary widely depending on experience, location, and whether you work under an award or an enterprise agreement. For entry-level legal roles, the Legal Services Award 2020 (MA000116) sets minimum pay rates that apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. This guide uses those Fair Work Ombudsman rates to show you how to convert an hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay, and what to expect for tax and super.

Hourly to Annual Conversion

The standard full-time working week under the award is 38 ordinary hours. To estimate your annual gross salary, use the formula:

Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × 38 hours × 52 weeks

For example, a Level 5 law graduate (minimum hourly rate $33.99) earns:

Weekly: $33.99 × 38 = $1,291.62
Fortnightly: $1,291.62 × 2 = $2,583.24
Annual: $1,291.62 × 52 = $67,164.24 (slight rounding difference from the award’s weekly rate of $1,291.80)

A Level 6 law clerk (minimum hourly rate $36.03) earns:

Weekly: $36.03 × 38 = $1,369.14
Fortnightly: $2,738.28
Annual: $71,195.28

These calculations assume you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. For a quick estimate, use our hourly conversion tool.

Casual Loading

If you work as a casual employee, you receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate instead of paid leave. For the law graduate:

Casual hourly rate: $33.99 × 1.25 = $42.49
Casual annual (38 hours): $42.49 × 38 × 52 = $83,960.24

The loading is clearly shown in the award and must be paid for each ordinary hour worked. See our casual loading page for more details.

Fortnightly Pay and the Award

Most employers under the Legal Services Award pay wages fortnightly (clause 16.1). Your fortnightly gross is simply your weekly pay multiplied by two. For the law graduate: $1,291.62 × 2 = $2,583.24. This makes budgeting easier and aligns with the award’s payment frequency.

Tax and Superannuation

Once you have your annual gross, you can estimate tax using the 2026–27 resident rates:

Nil on the first $18,200
15% on earnings from $18,201 to $45,000
30% on earnings from $45,001 to $135,000
37% on earnings from $135,001 to $190,000
45% on earnings above $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed). For a law graduate earning $67,164, the tax estimate would be:

$0 on first $18,200
15% on $26,800 ($45,000 – $18,200) = $4,020
30% on $22,164 ($67,164 – $45,000) = $6,649.20
Total tax ≈ $10,669.20, plus Medicare 2% of $67,164 = $1,343.28
Net annual ≈ $55,151.52

Superannuation is paid on top of your salary at 12% of ordinary earnings (from 1 July 2026). The super guarantee is capped at a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For the law graduate, super would be $67,164 × 12% = $8,059.68 added to your total remuneration. This is not deducted from your pay; it’s an employer contribution. Learn more on our super and packaging page.

Comparing with National Minimum Wage and Averages

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). A casual employee gets $33.05 per hour including the 25% loading. The award rates for legal roles are higher than the minimum, reflecting the skills required. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (May 2026) reported average weekly earnings for full-time adult ordinary time at $2,083.70 per week, which equates to about $54.83 per hour. That average includes many senior lawyers and managers, so entry-level award rates are lower.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For the most accurate figures, refer to the official pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman and use our reference tables for current rates.