Legal industry salaries across Australia are set to increase again, although only moderately, according to the 2012 Hays Salary Guide. Much of the increase has been driven by the energy and resources industries, particularly in Western Australia, where many companies expanded their in-house legal teams in response to new resources projects. There are now many instances where salaries in Western Australia are significantly higher than those in Sydney. As a result, senior private practice lawyers and in-house lawyers at all levels in Western Australia are now amongst the highest paid in the country.
“In private practice, we are again seeing a great candidate shortage,” said Darren Buchanan, director of Hays Legal. “Our resources and mining boom has resulted in rising demand for construction, mining, oil and gas and environmental lawyers.”
Another factor pushing up salaries was the introduction of new national Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Laws, which led to an increase in demand for OHS lawyers. Workplace relations lawyers with recent experience and an understanding of the Fair Work Act also remain in demand.
According to Buchanan sign on bonuses and other incentives are being used at all levels to attract talent: “Firms are also looking to retain and reward top employees with salary increases, bonuses and additional incentives.”
As lawyers continue to seek better work/life balance, there has also been increasing demand for in-house opportunities or movement to smaller boutique firms. “Firms of all sizes have reviewed their policies and recognise the need to offer part-time or flexible working arrangements, paid parental leave and a range of other benefits to ensure staff retention,” said Buchanan.
In New Zealand legal salary levels have remained relatively steady overall, despite some increased recruitment activity. While workflow may have increased, many practices are electing to keep their current staff working at full capacity rather than making additional hires.
Candidates with strong corporate, commercial and banking and finance experience remain in demand in top tier practices. Litigation candidates have also been sought after, including those with commercial and insurance litigation exposure. Corresponding with an improvement in the property market, there has been an increase in the number of property solicitor vacancies. Demand for in-house roles continues to exceed supply, although more in-house opportunities have been available of late.
Sydney: Private practice top tier
|
YEAR |
Yearly wage low |
Yearly wage high |
Yearly wage average |
|
Graduate |
$55,000 |
$68,000 |
$65,000 |
|
Year 1 PQE |
$70,000 |
$85,000 |
$80,000 |
|
Year 2 PQE |
$76,000 |
$95,000 |
$90,000 |
|
Year 3 PQE |
$85,000 |
$115,000 |
$105,000 |
|
Year 4 PQE |
$100,000 |
$140,000 |
$120,000 |
|
Year 5 PQE |
$120,000 |
$180,000 |
$140,000 |
|
YEAR |
Yearly wage low |
Yearly wage high |
Yearly wage average |
|
Graduate |
$55,000 |
$69,000 |
$60,000 |
|
Year 1 PQE |
$60,000 |
$85,000 |
$80,000 |
|
Year 2 PQE |
$75,000 |
$92,000 |
$85,000 |
|
Year 3 PQE |
$80,000 |
$103,000 |
$95,000 |
|
Year 4 PQE |
$95,000 |
$125,000 |
$115,000 |
|
Year 5 PQE |
$105,000 |
$175,000 |
$130,000 |
|
YEAR |
Yearly wage low |
Yearly wage high |
Yearly wage average |
|
Graduate |
$57,000 |
$71,000 |
$60,000 |
|
Year 1 PQE |
$67,000 |
$92,000 |
$80,000 |
|
Year 2 PQE |
$79,000 |
$98,000 |
$85,000 |
|
Year 3 PQE |
$87,000 |
$116,000 |
$100,000 |
|
Year 4 PQE |
$95,000 |
$138,000 |
$120,000 |
|
Year 5 PQE |
$105,000 |
$170,000 |
$130,000 |
|
YEAR |
Yearly wage low |
Yearly wage high |
Yearly wage average |
|
Graduate |
$55,000 |
$68,000 |
$65,000 |
|
Year 1 PQE |
$70,000 |
$85,000 |
$82,000 |
|
Year 2 PQE |
$75,000 |
$95,000 |
$90,000 |
|
Year 3 PQE |
$85,000 |
$115,000 |
|
|
Year 4 PQE |
$100,000 |
$135,000 |
$120,000 |
|
Year 5 PQE |
$120,000 |
$145,000 |
$135,000 |
|
YEAR |
Yearly wage low |
Yearly wage high |
Yearly wage average |
|
Graduate |
NZ$35,000 |
NZ$45,000 |
NZ$40,000 |
|
Year 1 PQE |
NZ$42,000 |
NZ$55,000 |
NZ$52,000 |
|
Year 2 PQE |
NZ$53,000 |
NZ$75,000 |
NZ$62,000 |
|
Year 3 PQE |
NZ$62,000 |
NZ$85,000 |
NZ$74,000 |
|
Year 4 PQE |
NZ$70,000 |
NZ$105,000 |
NZ$90,000 |
|
Year 5 PQE |
NZ$80,000 |
NZ$130,000 |
NZ$105,000 |
|
YEAR |
Yearly wage low |
Yearly wage high |
Yearly wage average |
|
Graduate |
$45,000 |
$60,000 |
$60,000 |
|
Year 1 PQE |
$55,000 |
$78,000 |
$70,000 |
|
Year 2 PQE |
$65,000 |
$90,000 |
$85,000 |
|
Year 3 PQE |
$70,000 |
$100,000 |
$95,000 |
|
Year 4 PQE |
$80,000 |
$120,000 |
$105,000 |
|
Year 5 PQE |
$95,000 |
$130,000 |
$115,000 |
|
YEAR |
Yearly wage low |
Yearly wage high |
Yearly wage average |
|
Graduate |
$45,000 |
$60,000 |
$55,000 |
|
Year 1 PQE |
$55,000 |
$80,000 |
$70,000 |
|
Year 2 PQE |
$60,000 |
$90,000 |
$80,000 |
|
Year 3 PQE |
$70,000 |
$100,000 |
$92,000 |
|
Year 4 PQE |
$80,000 |
$120,000 |
$100,000 |
|
Year 5 PQE |
$90,000 |
$150,000 |
$115,000 |
|
YEAR |
Yearly wage low |
Yearly wage high |
Yearly wage average |
|
Graduate |
$45,000 |
$63,000 |
$55,000 |
|
Year 1 PQE |
$60,000 |
$78,000 |
$70,000 |
|
Year 2 PQE |
$63,000 |
$97,000 |
$80,000 |
|
Year 3 PQE |
$70,000 |
$105,000 |
$90,000 |
|
Year 4 PQE |
$77,000 |
$120,000 |
$105,000 |
|
Year 5 PQE |
$95,000 |
$140,000 |
$115,000 |
|
YEAR |
Yearly wage low |
Yearly wage high |
Yearly wage average |
|
Graduate |
$45,000 |
$60,000 |
$55,000 |
|
Year 1 PQE |
$60,000 |
$80,000 |
$70,000 |
|
Year 2 PQE |
$70,000 |
$90,000 |
$82,000 |
|
Year 3 PQE |
$80,000 |
$100,000 |
$90,000 |
|
Year 4 PQE |
$90,000 |
$120,000 |
$110,000 |
|
Year 5 PQE |
$95,000 |
$135,000 |
$120,000 |