Legal Services Award Pay Rates 2026-27
All pay rates under the Legal Services Award 2020 (MA000116) for 2026-27, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Last verified: 19 July 2026Legal Services Award
MA000116 · Legal Services
Common roles: Legal secretary, Paralegal, Law clerk, Legal assistant, Legal receptionist
$28.24
Base rate/hr
$35.30
Casual rate/hr
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Classification Pay Rates — Legal Services Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $28.24 | $35.30 | $1,073.12 | $55,802.24 |
| Level 2 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193.20 |
| Level 3 | $31.11 | $38.89 | $1,182.18 | $61,473.36 |
| Level 4 | $32.67 | $40.84 | $1,241.46 | $64,555.92 |
| Level 5 | $33.99 | $42.49 | $1,291.62 | $67,164.24 |
| Law Graduate L5 | $33.99 | $42.49 | $1,291.62 | $67,164.24 |
| Law Clerk L6 | $36.03 | $45.04 | $1,369.14 | $71,195.28 |
Penalty Rates — Legal Services Award
Saturday
$42.36/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$56.48/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$70.60/hr
2.5x base
Overtime (first 3 hours)
$42.36/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 3 hours)
$56.48/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($28.24/hr base).View full penalty rate table →
Break Rules — Legal Services Award
| Shift Length | Meal Break | Rest Break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | None | None | No |
| 5–7.6 hours | 30 min | None | No |
| 7.6–10 hours | 30 min | 10 min | Yes |
| 10+ hours | 60 min | 20 min | Yes |
Calculate Your Exact Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Compare with Related Awards
| Award | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Services Award | $28.24/hr | $35.30/hr | $56.48/hr | $70.60/hr |
| Hospitality Award | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $39.66/hr | $59.49/hr |
| Retail Award | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $41.71/hr | $69.52/hr |
| Clerks Award | $26.97/hr | $33.71/hr | $53.94/hr | $67.43/hr |
| Building Award | $26.67/hr | $33.34/hr | $53.34/hr | $66.68/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Legal Services Award pay rate for 2026-27?
Under the Legal Services Award (MA000116), the Level 1 base rate is $28.24/hr from 1 July 2026. The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $35.30/hr. Higher classification levels receive progressively higher rates.
What is the Sunday rate under the Legal Services Award?
Permanent employees under the Legal Services Award receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee, that's $56.48/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Legal Services Award?
Public holiday work under the Legal Services Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $70.60/hr.
Who is covered by the Legal Services Award?
The Legal Services Award covers employees in the legal services industry. Common job titles include Legal secretary, Paralegal, Law clerk, Legal assistant, Legal receptionist, Law graduate, Conveyancing clerk.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.
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