Australia
HUDSON
SALARY
GUIDES
2015
Legal
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
about this publication
This Salary Guide is a compilation of salary and market information
provided by Hudson consultants, clients, candidates and other sources
across Australia. Information was gathered by drawing on the extensive
knowledge of our recruitment consultants across Hudson’s specialist
practice groups.
Hudson is a global talent solutions company with expertise in leadership
and specialised recruitment, recruitment process outsourcing and talent
management across key industry sectors. Our specialist recruiters are
industry professionals who understand their market and the roles they
recruit for — and how much those roles are worth.
All legal salaries are inclusive of superannuation but do not include
bonuses/incentive schemes/stock options.
table of contents
NSW (Sydney). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
VIC (Melbourne). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
QLD (Brisbane). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
WA (Perth). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
NSW
legal
SYDNEY
Boutique
Mid Tier
Top Tier
job title
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
55,000
77,000
Lawyer 1–2 years PQE
55,000
85,000
Lawyer 2–3 years PQE
70,000
95,000
Lawyer 3–4 years PQE
80,000
110,000
Lawyer 4–5 years PQE
90,000
135,000
Lawyer 5–6 years PQE
94,000
140,000
Lawyer SA1
100,000
150,000
Lawyer SA2
110,000
160,000
Lawyer SA3
120,000
175,000
Lawyer SA4/Special Counsel
130,000
230,000
Salaried Partner
180,000
300,000+
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
65,000
78,000
Lawyer 1–2 years PQE
70,000
90,000
Lawyer 2–3 years PQE
75,000
100,000
Lawyer 3–4 years PQE
85,000
115,000
Lawyer 4–5 years PQE
90,000
130,000
Lawyer 5–6 years PQE — Not SA
105,000
140,000
Lawyer SA1
110,000
145,000
Lawyer SA2
115,000
150,000
Lawyer SA3
120,000
180,000
Lawyer SA4/Special Counsel
145,000
260,000
Salaried Partner
210,000
210,000+
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
75,000
85,000
Lawyer 1–2 years PQE
76,000
95,000
Lawyer 2–3 years PQE
86,000
120,000
Lawyer 3–4 years PQE
95,000
130,000
Lawyer 4–5 years PQE
110,000
140,000
2
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
NSW
legal
SYDNEY
Top Tier (cont.)
job title
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 5–6 years PQE — Not SA
115,000
145,000
Lawyer SA1
145,000
175,000
Lawyer SA2
150,000
180,000
Lawyer SA3
155,000
200,000
Lawyer SA4/Special Counsel
180,000
300,000
Salaried Partner
350,000
350,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
70,000
85,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
80,000
100,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 95,000
120,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 100,000
130,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
155,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
175,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 135,000
220,000
Deputy General Counsel 150,000
280,000
General Counsel 200,000
300,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
70,000
85,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
80,000
100,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 90,000
120,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 100,000
135,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
145,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 125,000
150,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 140,000
200,000
Deputy General Counsel 150,000
280,000
General Counsel 200,000
350,000+
Corporate
In-house
Financial Services
In-house
3
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
NSW
legal
SYDNEY
job title
FMCG/Industrial
In-house
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
65,000
80,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
75,000
90,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 85,000
100,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 90,000
120,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 100,000
135,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
140,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 125,000
150,000
Deputy General Counsel 150,000
250,000
General Counsel 200,000
350,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
65,000
80,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
70,000
85,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 80,000
90,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 85,000
100,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 90,000
110,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 95,000
120,000
Lawyer 6–10 yrs PAE/PQE 100,000
150,000
Lawyer SES1–6
160,000
160,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
65,000
80,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
75,000
85,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 85,000
100,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 85,000
120,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 100,000
130,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
140,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 125,000
150,000
Deputy General Counsel 150,000
250,000
General Counsel 200,000
350,000+
Government
IT & Communication
In-house
4
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
NSW
legal
SYDNEY
job title
Not for Profit
In-house
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
55,000
65,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
60,000
75,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 70,000
80,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 80,000
90,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 90,000
100,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 100,000
120,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 110,000
135,000
Deputy General Counsel 140,000
170,000
General Counsel 150,000
200,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
75,000
85,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
90,000
95,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 95,000
120,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 110,000
140,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
145,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 130,000
150,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 140,000
180,000
Deputy General Counsel 200,000
280,000
General Counsel 280,000
350,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
80,000
85,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
90,000
100,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
130,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 125,000
140,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 130,000
145,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 140,000
160,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 150,000
180,000
Deputy General Counsel 200,000
280,000
General Counsel 280,000
350,000+
Property & Construction
In-house
Resources
In-house
5
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
VIC
legal
MELBOURNE
Boutique
Mid Tier
Top Tier
job title
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
55,000
70,000
Lawyer 1–2 years PQE
70,000
85,000
Lawyer 2–3 years PQE
75,000
95,000
Lawyer 3–4 years PQE
85,000
105,000
Lawyer 4–5 years PQE
93,000
120,000
Lawyer 5–6 years PQE
88,000
118,000
Lawyer SA1
110,000
124,000
Lawyer SA2
125,000
134,000
Lawyer SA3
113,000
165,000
Lawyer SA4/Special Counsel
124,000
185,000
Salaried Partner
149,000
309,000+
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
67,000
75,000
Lawyer 1–2 years PQE
70,000
83,000
Lawyer 2–3 years PQE
75,000
90,000
Lawyer 3–4 years PQE
82,000
95,000
Lawyer 4–5 years PQE
93,000
110,000
Lawyer 5–6 years PQE — Not SA
103,000
125,000
Lawyer SA1
118,000
135,000
Lawyer SA2
118,000
140,000
Lawyer SA3
125,000
165,000
Lawyer SA4/Special Counsel
155,000
227,000
Salaried Partner
206,000
206,000+
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
68,000
75,000
Lawyer 1–2 years PQE
75,000
85,000
Lawyer 2–3 years PQE
84,000
95,000
Lawyer 3–4 years PQE
95,000
105,000
Lawyer 4–5 years PQE
103,000
125,000
6
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
VIC
legal
MELBOURNE
Top Tier (cont.)
job title
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 5–6 years PQE — Not SA
118,000
130,000
Lawyer SA1
130,000
145,000
Lawyer SA2
139,000
160,000
Lawyer SA3
149,000
175,000
Lawyer SA4/Special Counsel
185,000
278,000
Salaried Partner
309,000
309,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
65,000
75,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
74,000
85,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 88,000
100,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 93,000
105,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 103,000
112,500
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
145,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 134,000
206,000
Deputy General Counsel 165,000
247,000
General Counsel 185,000
309,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
65,000
72,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
74,000
82,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 82,000
95,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 93,000
100,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 103,000
125,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
152,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 134,000
185,000
Deputy General Counsel 165,000
220,000
General Counsel 196,000
300,000+
Financial Services
In-house
FMCG/Industrial
In-house
7
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
VIC
legal
MELBOURNE
job title
IT & Communications
In-house
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
65,000
75,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
74,000
85,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 88,000
100,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 93,000
105,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 103,000
112,500
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
145,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 134,000
206,000
Deputy General Counsel 165,000
247,000
General Counsel 185,000
309,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
62,000
70,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
70,000
75,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 80,000
92,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 93,000
100,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 100,000
105,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 110,000
120,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
150,000
Deputy General Counsel 150,000
165,000
General Counsel 160,000
200,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
65,000
75,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
74,000
90,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 88,000
105,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 93,000
120,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 110,000
135,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 108,000
150,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 134,000
170,000
Not for Profit
In-house
Property/Construction
In-house
8
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
VIC
legal
MELBOURNE
job title
Property & Construction (cont.)
In-house (cont.)
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Deputy General Counsel 165,000
250,000
General Counsel 200,000
320,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
65,000
77,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
74,000
90,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 88,000
105,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 95,000
120,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 103,000
130,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 113,000
155,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 135,000
200,000
Deputy General Counsel 165,000
247,000
General Counsel 196,000
309,000+
Resources/Utilities
In-house
9
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
QLD
legal
BRISBANE
Boutique
Mid Tier
Top Tier
job title
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
50,000
65,000
Lawyer 1–2 years PQE
60,000
75,000
Lawyer 2–3 years PQE
65,000
80,000
Lawyer 3–4 years PQE
75,000
90,000
Lawyer 4–5 years PQE
85,000
105,000
Lawyer 5–6 years PQE
90,000
110,000
Lawyer SA1
95,000
115,000
Lawyer SA2
105,000
125,000
Lawyer SA3
125,000
160,000
Lawyer SA4/Special Counsel
140,000
220,000
Salaried Partner
170,000
170,000+
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
65,000
75,000
Lawyer 1–2 years PQE
75,000
80,000
Lawyer 2–3 years PQE
80,000
90,000
Lawyer 3–4 years PQE
85,000
110,000
Lawyer 4–5 years PQE
90,000
110,000
Lawyer 5–6 years PQE — Not SA
95,000
120,000
Lawyer SA1
110,000
130,000
Lawyer SA2
120,000
140,000
Lawyer SA3
130,000
150,000
Lawyer SA4/Special Counsel
150,000
200,000
Salaried Partner
200,000
200,000+
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
67,000
74,000
Lawyer 1–2 years PQE
74,000
85,000
Lawyer 2–3 years PQE
85,000
100,000
Lawyer 3–4 years PQE
95,000
120,000
Lawyer 4–5 years PQE
105,000
120,000
10
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
QLD
legal
BRISBANE
Top Tier (cont.)
In-house
job title
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 5–6 years PQE — Not SA
115,000
130,000
Lawyer SA1
115,000
140,000
Lawyer SA2
120,000
150,000
Lawyer SA3
130,000
160,000
Lawyer SA4/Special Counsel
140,000
240,000
Salaried Partner
300,000
300,000+
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
65,000
80,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
75,000
95,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 88,000
110,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 90,000
130,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 100,000
145,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
155,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 140,000
180,000
Deputy General Counsel 155,000
250,000
General Counsel 150,000
412,000+
Lawyer PO3
71,000
78,000
Lawyer PO4 80,000
88,000
Lawyer PO5
93,000
100,000
Lawyer PO6
104,000
112,000
Lawyer SO1
116,000
122,000
Lawyer SO2
147,000
161,000
Lawyer SES1
149,000
167,000
Lawyer SES2
176,000
204,000
Lawyer SES3
208,000
238,000
Lawyer SES4
246,000
258,000
Government
11
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
WA
legal
PERTH
Boutique
Mid Tier
Top Tier
job title
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
65,000
91,000
Lawyer 1–2 years PQE
76,000
102,000
Lawyer 2–3 years PQE
88,000
107,000
Lawyer 3–4 years PQE
99,000
128,000
Lawyer 4–5 years PQE
120,000
160,000
Lawyer 5–6 years PQE
122,000
165,000
Lawyer SA1
145,000
180,000
Lawyer SA2
150,000
190,000
Lawyer SA3
172,000
210,000
Lawyer SA4/Special Counsel
220,000
300,000
Salaried Partner
350,000
500,000
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
67,000
77,000
Lawyer 1–2 years PQE
73,000
87,000
Lawyer 2–3 years PQE
84,000
97,000
Lawyer 3–4 years PQE
90,000
114,000
Lawyer 4–5 years PQE
109,000
135,000
Lawyer 5–6 years PQE — Not SA
115,000
140,000
Lawyer SA1
126,000
160,000
Lawyer SA2
132,000
170,000
Lawyer SA3
140,000
192,000
Lawyer SA4/Special Counsel
160,000
250,000
Salaried Partner
350,000
500,000
Lawyer 0–1 year PQE
74,000
80,000
Lawyer 1–2 years PQE
78,000
90,000
Lawyer 2–3 years PQE
82,000
89,000
Lawyer 3–4 years PQE
95,000
110,000
Lawyer 4–5 years PQE
108,000
130,000
12
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
WA
legal
PERTH
Top Tier (cont.)
In-house
job title
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 5–6 years PQE — Not SA
120,000
144,000
Lawyer SA1
132,000
155,000
Lawyer SA2
140,000
160,000
Lawyer SA3
145,000
170,000
Lawyer SA4/Special Counsel
160,000
250,000
Salaried Partner
300,000
500,000
Deputy General Counsel 140,000
400,000
General Counsel 180,000
500,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
70,000
76,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
80,000
92,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 90,000
102,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 105,000
120,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 115,000
130,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 125,000
150,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 135,000
250,000
Deputy General Counsel 165,000
350,000
General Counsel 180,000
350,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
65,000
75,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
75,000
90,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 88,000
110,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 98,000
115,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 105,000
125,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 115,000
135,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 125,000
230,000
Deputy General Counsel 160,000
300,000
General Counsel 220,000
300,000+
Corporate
In-house
Financial Services
In-house
13
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
WA
legal
PERTH
job title
FMCG/Industrial
In-house
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
65,000
75,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
70,000
85,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 85,000
105,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 98,000
115,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 105,000
125,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 115,000
135,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 125,000
220,000
Deputy General Counsel 160,000
300,000
General Counsel 200,000
300,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
65,000
75,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
70,000
88,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 85,000
100,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 95,000
110,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 105,000
125,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 115,000
140,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 125,000
220,000
Deputy General Counsel 160,000
300,000
General Counsel 180,000
300,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
63,000
75,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
67,000
80,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 74,000
90,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 90,000
105,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 100,000
115,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 105,000
120,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
220,000
Deputy General Counsel 140,000
220,000
General Counsel 175,000
300,000+
IT & Communication
In-house
Not for Profit
In-house
14
Hudson Salary Guides 2015
WA
legal
PERTH
job title
Property/Construction
In-house
Permanent AUD per year
Minimum
Maximum
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
70,000
80,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
75,000
90,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 85,000
100,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 98,000
110,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 105,000
130,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 110,000
140,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
220,000
Deputy General Counsel 180,000
300,000
General Counsel 200,000
300,000+
Lawyer 0–1 yrs PAE/PQE
75,000
85,000
Lawyer 1–2 yrs PAE/PQE
85,000
98,000
Lawyer 2–3 yrs PAE/PQE 92,000
112,000
Lawyer 3–4 yrs PAE/PQE 110,000
130,000
Lawyer 4–5 yrs PAE/PQE 120,000
145,000
Lawyer 5–6 yrs PAE/PQE 135,000
165,000
Lawyer 6+ yrs PAE/PQE 145,000
260,000
Deputy General Counsel 200,000
400,000
General Counsel 280,000
500,000+
Resources
In-house
15
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