Legal Assistant Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Legal Assistants in Melbourne earn a median salary of $90,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $65,000 and $100,000. That is broadly in line with Melbourne's all-roles median of $90,000. Figures are based on 67 jobs advertised in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 14% of roles by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +10 listings vs last month
💰 Legal Assistant · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$65,000 – $100,000
Median: $90,000
Jun $95k
Jul $90k
↓ Trending down

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

Mid level $65,500 – $100,000
Overall $65k–$100k Mid $65k–$100k $63k $71k $79k $87k $95k $103k
Moderate confidence 67 listings (+10 vs last month) · 02/08/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 67 job listings for this role and city, 98.5% sourced from Seek.com.au and the rest from government job boards and employer career sites. Of those, 40.3% stated a salary directly. The remaining 59.7% carried a range estimated from the listing, so this median blends advertised and estimated pay. Figures represent what employers advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

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Bottom 10%  $65,000 Median  $90,000 $100,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Legal assistants sit exactly on Melbourne's all-roles median at $90,000, which is a strong outcome for a support role and better than most administrative titles achieve. The median fell $5,000 while listings rose from 57 to 67, the pattern of an expanding junior intake. Sydney pays $97,000 and Brisbane $87,000, so Melbourne sits in the middle. At 40% salary disclosure the figure is moderately supported.

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 Melbourne?
Entry is $65,000, well below the $90,000 median, giving this role a wider entry gap than most support titles. Practice area drives pay, with property and conveyancing at the lower end and litigation and commercial above. Practice management software, particularly LEAP and Affinity, appears in most listings above the median.
Is $90,000 a good salary in Melbourne?
Yes, for a support role. At $90,000 a legal assistant matches Melbourne's all-roles median exactly, with take-home near $1,317 a week. That is $20,000 above administration officer work and $26,000 above reception in the same city. Sydney pays $7,000 more, which housing costs absorb.
How much does a Senior Legal Assistant make in Melbourne?
The ceiling is $100,000, and the mid band reaches it too, so there is no separate senior tier. Paralegal work, practice management or technical specialisation such as conveyancing settlements are what reach it. Lawyers in Melbourne earn $112,000, so qualification adds only $22,000 here, one of the narrowest such gaps in the country.

Other roles in Melbourne

Legal Assistant salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $90,000 0%
Sydney $97,500 +8%
Brisbane $87,500 -3%

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.