Your lawyer salary: what reaches your bank account after tax and Medicare

Your lawyer salary and the award rates

If you work in a law firm covered by the Legal Services Award, your minimum pay is set by Fair Work. For a legal clerical and administrative employee at Level 1, the hourly rate is $28.24, with a weekly pay of $1,073.10. Higher classifications, such as Law graduate Level 5 or Law clerk Level 6, attract $33.99 and $36.03 per hour. These rates include the minimum wage benchmark of $26.24 per hour and $1,004.90 per week. Benchmarks show the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour and $1,004.90 per week.

Median earnings for solicitors

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that solicitors earn a median weekly income of $2,070 before tax, with median hourly earnings of $56. This figure is for full-time non-managerial employees. Part-time work is common – 11% of solicitors work part-time. The median age is 37, and 57% of solicitors are female. These figures come from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours.

How tax brackets affect your take-home pay

Your take-home pay depends on the tax brackets for 2026–27. The first $18,200 is tax-free. Then you pay 15 cents for each dollar between $18,201 and $45,000, then 30 cents between $45,001 and $135,000, then 37 cents up to $190,000, and 45 cents above that. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can reduce your tax by up to $700 if your taxable income is below $37,500, phasing out by $66,667. For a solicitor on the median $2,070 per week ($107,640 per year), the tax on that income would be about $22,000 plus Medicare, but LITO is not available at that income level.

Medicare levy and thresholds

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but there are thresholds for singles. The latest published single-person Medicare thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If your income is below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay a reduced rate (10 cents per dollar over the lower threshold). Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. Most full-time lawyers earn above $35,013, so you will pay the full 2% levy. Tax and Medicare explains this in detail.

Superannuation and take-home pay

From 1 July 2026, your employer must pay super at 12% of your earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. This is not deducted from your take-home pay. If you see a job ad that says "$2,070 per week plus super", that means the $2,070 is before tax and before super. Your take-home will be after tax and Medicare, but super is separate. Super covers how super affects your overall compensation.

Fortnightly take-home estimate

For a solicitor on the median $2,070 per week, that's $4,140 per fortnight before tax. After tax (using the brackets above) and the 2% Medicare levy, your take-home would be approximately $3,200 to $3,300 per fortnight, depending on your exact income and any deductions. This is an estimate only and does not include HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary sacrifice. Use the Clearance tool for a personalised calculation.

Allowances and deductions

The Australian Taxation Office provides guidance on work-related deductions for lawyers. You can claim expenses such as uniforms, protective clothing, meal allowances, and travel if they are directly related to your work. The ATO also notes that you must keep records. For example, if you receive a living away from home allowance under the award, that is taxable income. Guides have more on deductions.

Summary

Your lawyer salary will vary by role and experience. The award sets minimums for legal support staff, while solicitors have a median of $2,070 per week. Your take-home pay is reduced by income tax and the Medicare levy, but super is not deducted from your pay. Use the Take-home pay page to estimate your net income.