Legal Secretary Salary Guide: Award Rates, Annual Pay, and Tax for 2026–27
Under the Legal Services Award 2020, a full-time legal secretary at Level 3 earns $31.11 per hour, or about $61,470 per year based on a 38-hour week and 52 weeks.
Legal Secretary Salary Under the Legal Services Award 2020
If you are looking for a legal secretary salary that is fair and legally compliant, the starting point is the Legal Services Award 2020 (MA000116). This award covers legal clerical and administrative employees, including legal secretaries, law clerks, and law graduates. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide that sets out the minimum rates for each classification.
Award Classification and Hourly Rates
The award has five levels for legal clerical and administrative employees. A legal secretary typically falls within Levels 1 to 4, depending on experience and duties. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rates are:
- Level 1: $28.24 per hour
- Level 2: $29.45 per hour
- Level 3: $31.11 per hour
- Level 4: $32.67 per hour
- Level 5: $33.99 per hour
These rates are for full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate, as per clause 11.1 of the award. For example, a casual Level 3 legal secretary would earn $38.89 per hour ($31.11 × 1.25).
Converting Hourly Rate to Annual Salary
To estimate the annual salary for a legal secretary, use the standard formula:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52
We assume a 38-hour week, which is the ordinary full-time hours under the award (clause 9.1). For a Level 3 legal secretary:
$31.11 × 38 × 52 = $61,473.36 per year
If you are paid fortnightly, multiply the weekly pay by 2. The weekly pay for Level 3 is $31.11 × 38 = $1,182.18, so the fortnightly pay is $2,364.36. This matches the award's weekly rate of $1,182.10 (rounded).
Comparison with National Minimum Wage and Average Earnings
The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. A legal secretary at Level 1 earns $28.24, which is above the minimum. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time employees (May 2026) is $2,083.70 per week. A Level 5 legal secretary earning $33.99 per hour would have a weekly pay of $1,291.62, which is below the national average but reflects the award floor. Many legal secretaries may be paid above award rates depending on experience and location.
Tax and Superannuation
For the 2026–27 financial year, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) resident tax rates are:
- $0 – $18,200: Nil
- $18,201 – $45,000: 15% on excess over $18,200
- $45,001 – $135,000: 30% on excess over $45,000
- $135,001 – $190,000: 37% on excess over $135,000
- $190,001+: 45% on excess over $190,000
Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. For a Level 3 legal secretary earning $61,473, the estimated tax (including Medicare) is approximately $9,200, leaving a take-home pay of about $52,273 per year. Use the take-home pay calculator for a personalised estimate.
Superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of the salary by the employer. The maximum contribution base for 2026–27 is $270,830. For a $61,473 salary, the super contribution would be $7,376.76 per year. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional benefit. See super and packaging for more on salary sacrifice options.
Casual Loading and Penalty Rates
Casual legal secretaries receive a 25% loading instead of paid leave. For example, a casual Level 3 employee earns $38.89 per hour. Penalty rates apply for overtime, early morning, afternoon, or night shifts. The award provides specific penalty percentages for full-time, part-time, and casual employees. For instance, afternoon or night shift attracts 115% of the base rate for full-time employees, or 140% for casuals including the loading. Overtime on a Saturday after 12 pm or Sunday is paid at 200% (225% for casuals). These rates are detailed in the award summary.
Using the Timesheet and Pay Guides
Our timesheet lets you enter a base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. Do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading; use the checkbox instead. The tool then calculates annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay, along with estimated tax and super. For a full list of award rates, see the reference tables page. The pay guides blog explains how to read Fair Work pay guides.
Important Disclaimer
Annual pay estimates are based on hourly rate × hours per week × 52, assuming consistent hours, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed. HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.
Summary
The legal secretary salary under the Legal Services Award 2020 ranges from $28.24 to $33.99 per hour for full-time employees, depending on classification. Using a 38-hour week and 52-week year, the annual salary ranges from about $55,800 to $67,200. Casual employees earn 25% more per hour. Always check the latest award and pay guide from the Fair Work Ombudsman to ensure compliance.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.