Law Clerk Salary Guide: Award Rates, Casual Loading and Superannuation
Under the Legal Services Award, a full-time law clerk (Level 6) earns a minimum of $36.03 per hour, or $1,369.20 per week for 38 ordinary hours.
Understanding the law clerk salary under the Legal Services Award
If you are working as a law clerk in Australia, your minimum pay is set by the Legal Services Award 2020 [MA000116]. The award defines a law clerk as a clerk engaged mainly in interviewing clients, preparing documents and assisting a barrister or solicitor. It specifically excludes account clerks, law graduates, receptionists and employees doing routine clerical work. The classification for a law clerk is Level 6, which from 1 July 2026 carries a minimum hourly rate of $36.03 and a weekly rate of $1,369.20 for 38 ordinary hours.
This rate applies to full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate, making their casual rate $45.04 per hour. The loading compensates for the lack of paid leave and other entitlements that permanent employees receive.
How to calculate annual pay from an hourly rate
To estimate your annual gross salary, use the standard formula:
Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52
For a full-time law clerk on 38 hours per week:
- $36.03 × 38 × 52 = $71,195.28 per year
For a casual law clerk (including 25% loading):
- $45.04 × 38 × 52 = $89,000.64 per year
These figures assume the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates or allowances. The award requires ordinary hours to average 38 per week, but can be worked Monday to Friday. Overtime and shift penalties would increase your pay.
Fortnightly pay
Most employers pay wages fortnightly. Your fortnightly gross is simply your weekly pay multiplied by two:
- Full-time law clerk: $1,369.20 × 2 = $2,738.40 per fortnight
- Casual law clerk: $1,711.52 × 2 = $3,423.04 per fortnight (weekly casual rate = $45.04 × 38 = $1,711.52)
The difference between minimum wage, award rates, and casual loading
It is important to distinguish between the National Minimum Wage, award minimum rates, and casual loading.
- National Minimum Wage (from 1 July 2026): $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. This is the legal floor for employees not covered by an award.
- Award rate for law clerk (Level 6): $36.03 per hour – well above the national minimum because the award sets higher rates for skilled roles.
- Casual loading: An additional 25% on the award rate, giving $45.04 per hour. This loading is paid instead of annual leave, personal leave, and other NES entitlements.
If you are a casual law clerk, you should never be paid less than $45.04 per hour for ordinary hours. The award also specifies overtime rates for casuals: 175% for the first 3 hours Monday to Saturday, 225% after that, and 275% on public holidays.
Superannuation is paid on top
Your hourly or annual salary does not include superannuation. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, your employer must contribute an additional 12% of your ordinary earnings into a super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year (2026–27).
For a full-time law clerk earning $71,195.28, the super contribution is about $8,543.43 per year (12% of ordinary earnings). This is paid on top of your salary, so your total employment cost is higher than your gross pay.
For a casual law clerk, super is also calculated on the ordinary hours worked at the base rate (excluding the casual loading). The ATO and Fair Work Ombudsman clarify that casual loading is not ordinary earnings for super purposes, so super is 12% of $36.03 per hour, not $45.04.
Tax on your law clerk salary
Your gross annual pay is subject to Australian resident tax rates for 2026–27:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000
- 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000
- 37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000
- 45% on income over $190,000
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (using 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed).
For a full-time law clerk earning $71,195.28, the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be approximately $13,000–$14,000 per year, leaving a take-home pay of around $57,000–$58,000. Use our take-home pay tool for a more precise estimate.
Using the timesheet and pay guides
Our timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. It then calculates your annual, fortnightly, and weekly gross pay, plus estimated super and tax. For award-specific rates, refer to the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Remember that the figures here are estimates. Your actual pay may differ due to overtime, penalty rates, allowances, salary sacrifice, or if you work fewer or more hours. Always check your award or enterprise agreement for your exact entitlements.
Summary
- Law clerk salary under the Legal Services Award: $36.03 per hour (full-time), $45.04 per hour (casual including 25% loading).
- Annual gross (38 hours/week): $71,195 (full-time), $89,001 (casual).
- Super is paid on top at 12% of ordinary earnings.
- Tax and Medicare levy reduce take-home pay.
For more details on award classifications and rates, see our reference tables. If you are comparing job offers, our job pay guide can help you evaluate total remuneration including super.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.