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 $80,000 and $100,000. That is broadly in line with Melbourne's all-roles median of $91,520. Figures are based on 61 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 14% of roles by listing volume in Melbourne ↓ -18 listings vs last month
💰 Legal Assistant · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$80,000 – $100,000
Median: $90,000
Apr $87k
May $90k
↑ Trending up

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

Mid level $80,000 – $100,000
Overall $80k–$100k Mid $80k–$100k $77k $82k $87k $92k $97k $103k
Moderate confidence 61 listings (-18 vs last month) · 01/06/2026

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 $100,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Legal Assistants in Melbourne earned $90,000 at the median in May, up $2,500 from April, sitting 1.7% below the city's all-roles median. With 61 listings (down 18 from April), this is the most data-rich reading of the three Legal Assistant cities this month, and the tight 22% spread (p10 of $80,000, p90 of $100,000) reflects a well-defined pay band for the role. The drop in listing volume while the median held is a mild positive signal: employers are paying steady rates even as the volume of available positions contracts.

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?
Legal Assistants starting in Melbourne earn around $80,000 at the p10. This is a higher floor than Brisbane ($59,000), reflecting Melbourne's larger concentration of major commercial law firms with structured salary bands and internal training programs. Reaching $91,000 typically requires three to four years of legal support experience with expertise in a defined practice area.
Is $90,000 a good salary in Melbourne?
Essentially at market. At $90,000, a Melbourne Legal Assistant earns 1.7% below the city's all-roles median, making it a near-average income for the city. Melbourne has high living costs, and $90,000 is comfortable but not generous. The tight pay band means there is limited upward mobility within the Legal Assistant title; progression to paralegal or team leader generally unlocks a meaningful salary step.
How much does a Senior Legal Assistant make in Melbourne?
Senior Legal Assistants in Melbourne reach $100,000 at the p90. Roles at the top of the range involve matter management across complex commercial transactions, client communication, and often mentoring of junior support staff. Beyond $100,000, the role typically evolves into a paralegal, practice support team leader, or legal operations specialist designation.

Other roles in Melbourne

Legal Assistant salaries in other cities

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

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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.