Legal Assistant Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated 01/06/2026

Legal Assistants in Sydney earn a median salary of $90,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $80,000 and $109,500. That is broadly in line with Sydney's all-roles median of $90,726. Figures are based on 62 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 19% of roles by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +18 listings vs last month

ADVERTISED RANGE

$80,000 – $109,500

Median: $90,000

Apr $100k

May $90k

↓ Trending down

Based on 2-month data — short-term movement only.

Mid level

$80,000 – $105,000

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

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Bottom 10% $80,000 Median $90,000 $109,500 Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Sydney Legal Assistants earned $90,000 at the median in May, down $10,000 from April, with 62 listings (up 18 from last month). The large increase in listing volume alongside a falling median is worth noting: more firms are advertising Legal Assistant roles, and the additional supply is pulling the median down toward the middle of the market rather than the upper end. The 33% spread (p10 of $80,000, p90 of $105,000) is slightly wider than Melbourne's, reflecting Sydney's larger and more varied legal market.

Take Home Pay (based on median $90,000)

Weekly (net)

~$1,317

Monthly (net)

~$5,707

Annual (net)

~$68,483

Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $100,350

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Legal Assistant in Sydney?

Legal Assistants starting out in Sydney earn around $80,000 at the p10. The floor is consistent with Melbourne and higher than Brisbane, reflecting the concentration of large and boutique commercial practices in Sydney's CBD and inner-city legal precinct. Reaching the $87,500 mid-level median generally requires four or more years of file and matter management experience.

Is $90,000 a good salary in Sydney?

Essentially market average. At $90,000, a Sydney Legal Assistant earns 0.8% below the city's all-roles median, essentially at parity. Sydney is expensive, and $90,000 covers expenses with limited discretionary spend in most inner suburbs. The role's value is in career security and proximity to legal career development rather than salary competitiveness against other sectors.

How much does a Senior Legal Assistant make in Sydney?

Senior Legal Assistants in Sydney reach $105,000 at the p90. These roles involve complex multi-party matter support, cross-practice coordination, and often practice group leadership responsibilities. Above $105,000, the expectation shifts toward paralegal or legal operations management scope, where the combination of legal knowledge and business process management justifies the higher rate.

Other roles in Sydney

Legal Assistant salaries in other cities

City	Median salary	vs Sydney
Sydney (this page)	$90,000	—
Melbourne	$90,000	~same
Brisbane	$85,000	-6%

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