Legal Services Award pay rates from 1 July 2026: legal clerical and administrative staff (levels 1 to 5), law graduates and law clerks, with casual, overtime and public holiday rates and take-home pay in 2026–27.
Legal support staff earn at least $28.24 an hour at level 1. A law graduate earns at least $1,291.80 a week (about $67,174 a year); a law clerk $36.03 an hour. Open in the pay calculator.
Legal Services Award pay rates
| Classification | Hourly | Casual hourly | Weekly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal clerical and administrative employee level 1 | $28.24 | $35.30 | $1,073.10 | $55,801 | $1,830 |
| Legal clerical and administrative employee level 2 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193 | $1,891 |
| Legal clerical and administrative employee level 3 | $31.11 | $38.89 | $1,182.10 | $61,469 | $1,975 |
| Legal clerical and administrative employee level 4 | $32.67 | $40.84 | $1,241.40 | $64,553 | $2,054 |
| Legal clerical and administrative employee level 5 | $33.99 | $42.49 | $1,291.80 | $67,174 | $2,121 |
| Law graduate (level 5) | $33.99 | $42.49 | $1,291.80 | $67,174 | $2,121 |
| Law clerk (level 6) | $36.03 | $45.04 | $1,369.20 | $71,198 | $2,227 |
Full-time weekly rate for 38 hours; take-home pay is after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27, without a study loan.
Overtime and public holiday rates
| Classification | Overtime Mon-Fri, first 3 hours | Overtime after 3 hours | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal clerical and administrative employee level 1 | $42.36 | $56.48 | $70.60 |
| Legal clerical and administrative employee level 2 | $44.18 | $58.90 | $73.63 |
| Legal clerical and administrative employee level 3 | $46.67 | $62.22 | $77.78 |
| Legal clerical and administrative employee level 4 | $49.01 | $65.34 | $81.68 |
| Legal clerical and administrative employee level 5 | $50.99 | $67.98 | $84.98 |
| Law graduate (level 5) | $50.99 | $67.98 | $84.98 |
| Law clerk (level 6) | $54.05 | $72.06 | $90.08 |
Day workers. Shift, Saturday and Sunday rates are in the pay guide.
How it works
- The Legal Services Award 2020 covers employers providing legal and legal support services, and their clerical and administrative staff, law graduates and law clerks.
- Qualified lawyers, community legal centres and some other legal employers aren't covered.
- Casuals get a 25% loading. Super is paid on top.
Common questions
What is the Legal Services Award pay rate?
From 1 July 2026, legal clerical and administrative employees earn $28.24 to $33.99 an hour (levels 1 to 5). Law graduates get $33.99 ($1,291.80 a week) and law clerks $36.03.
How much does a law graduate earn under the award?
At least $1,291.80 a week, about $67,174 a year or $2,121 a fortnight after tax in 2026–27.
Are lawyers covered by the Legal Services Award?
No. Qualified lawyers aren't covered by the award; it covers legal support staff, law graduates and law clerks.
What is the casual rate?
$35.30 an hour at level 1 up to $45.04 for a law clerk, including the 25% casual loading.
What are the overtime and public holiday rates?
Overtime Monday to Friday is time and a half for the first 3 hours, then double time. Public holidays are double time and a half ($70.60 at level 1).
When do the rates go up?
Each year from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. Next: 1 July 2027 (Annual Wage Review).
See also Clerks Award pay, Professional Employees Award pay and the HECS repayment calculator.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide and award text, Legal Services Award 2020 [MA000116], rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.