Criminal lawyer salary: what you take home after tax and Medicare

Criminal lawyer salary: what you can expect to earn

If you're a criminal lawyer in Australia, your pay depends on experience, location, and whether you work in private practice, legal aid, or government. While there is no single published figure for criminal lawyers specifically, the broader occupation of solicitors provides a reliable benchmark. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial solicitors is $2,070 before tax. That works out to an annual gross salary of about $107,640.

This figure sits well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year) and is very close to the full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year). So a criminal lawyer on the median is earning roughly the same as the average full-time worker in Australia.

How your criminal lawyer salary is taxed

Your employer will deduct pay-as-you-go (PAYG) tax from each pay cheque based on the tax tables. For the 2026–27 income year, the tax rates for residents are:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• $190,001 and over: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

On a salary of $107,640, your tax would be approximately $22,812. You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), but at this income level the offset phases out completely, so it won't reduce your tax.

Medicare levy and thresholds

Everyone who earns above a certain amount pays the Medicare levy of 2% of taxable income. The latest published single-person Medicare thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If you earn below $28,011 you pay no levy; between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate (10c per dollar over the lower threshold). Above $35,013 you pay the full 2%. Since a criminal lawyer's salary is well above $35,013, you'll pay the full levy – about $2,153 on the median salary.

Take-home pay after tax and Medicare

After deducting tax ($22,812) and Medicare ($2,153) from the gross annual salary of $107,640, your estimated take-home pay is $82,675 per year. That's roughly:

• $1,590 per week
• $3,180 per fortnight
• $6,890 per month

These figures are before any salary sacrifice arrangements, HELP/HECS repayments, or the Medicare levy surcharge (which applies if you don't have private hospital cover and earn over a certain threshold). They also assume you're a resident for tax purposes.

How super fits in

Your employer must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on a $107,640 salary, your employer would add about $12,917 to your super fund each year. This is not deducted from your take-home pay – it's an extra benefit. When you see job ads quoting a salary, it's usually the base salary excluding super unless stated otherwise.

Comparing criminal lawyer salary to benchmarks

• National minimum wage: $26.44 per hour / $1,004.90 per week / $52,255 per year. A criminal lawyer on the median earns more than double the minimum wage.
• All employees average total earnings: $1,579.20 per week ($82,118 per year). The median solicitor earns about 31% more than this average, which includes part-time workers.
• Full-time adult ordinary time earnings: $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year). The solicitor median is almost identical, just 0.6% lower.

This means criminal lawyers are typically paid in line with the broader full-time workforce, reflecting the specialised skills and qualifications required.

What the award says

If you work under the Legal Services Award (MA000116), your minimum pay is set by classification levels. For example, a law graduate (Level 5) earns $33.99 per hour or $1,291.80 per week as at July 2026. More experienced lawyers are often paid above the award. The award also includes allowances for meals, uniforms, vehicle use, and shift work. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide for the full rates.

Deductions and record keeping

The Australian Taxation Office provides guidance for lawyers on work-related deductions. Common claims include:

• Professional memberships and practising certificates
• Continuing legal education courses
• Home office expenses (if you work from home)
• Travel between workplaces
• Legal reference materials and subscriptions

Keep receipts and a logbook for vehicle use. You can only claim deductions for expenses you incur that are directly related to earning your income.

Final thoughts

Your actual criminal lawyer salary will vary based on your experience, the size of your firm, and whether you work in the public or private sector. The median figure of $107,640 is a solid starting point for estimating your take-home pay. Use the Benchmarks page to compare other occupations, and the Take-home pay calculator to see your own numbers. Remember, this is an estimate and not a tax assessment – always check with your employer or a tax professional for your specific situation.