Solicitor
Solicitors advise clients on their legal rights and obligations, then do the drafting, negotiation and filings that turn that advice into action.
- Median salary
- $107,600
4.3%vs last year, before tax
- People employed
- 106,100
2.2%vs last year
- Projected growth
- +21.2%
to 2035
- AI exposure*
- Moderate
- automation risk
- Average hours
- 46/wk
+6h vs all jobs
- Shortage status
- In shortage
national
Solicitors are qualified legal practitioners who advise individuals, businesses and organisations on what the law allows and what it requires of them. The work might mean drafting a commercial contract, running a property settlement, preparing a matter for court or keeping an organisation compliant with regulation, and most solicitors work in private firms, corporate in-house teams or government agencies. Unlike a barrister, who is usually briefed to argue a case in court, a solicitor manages the client relationship and the file from the first meeting through to its close.
How much do solicitors earn?
The median full-time salary for a solicitor is $107,600 per annum, before tax, up $22,700 since 2018.
Where a solicitor works matters more than the job title: private practice generally pays above government, in-house and community legal centre roles, and commercial and corporate work sits at the top of private practice. Firm size counts too, and the larger firms that pay more usually set billable hour targets that shape both the pay and the hours. Partnership is where private practice earnings can change most, because income then depends on the firm's profit rather than a salary.
What does a solicitor do day to day?
The list below is what fills most weeks; the exact mix shifts with seniority and whatever stage the current work is at.
- Drafting and redrafting contracts, letters and court documents until the wording is precise enough to hold up if it is challenged
- Researching legislation and case law to work out what advice a particular matter actually needs
- Sitting with clients and explaining their position in plain language when what they want and what the law allows do not quite match
- Running a matter through to settlement or resolution, chasing the other side, the court and anyone else whose response is holding it up
- Recording time in billable units and working towards filing dates that do not move because you are busy
What skills do solicitors need?
Employers look for legal research, drafting and contracts, litigation and dispute support, backed by LawWorks practice management software fluency and strong written communication.
Specialist skills
- Legal research
- Drafting and contracts
- Litigation and dispute support
- Regulatory and administrative law
- Regulatory compliance
Software and tools
- LawWorks practice management software
- Microsoft Word & Excel
- Legal research databases (Westlaw, LexisNexis)
- DocuSign or Adobe Sign
- Zoom and Teams (video conferencing)
General skills
- Written communication
- Stakeholder management
- Attention to detail
Is the job growing?
About 106,100 people work as solicitors in Australia, and employment is projected to grow 21.2% over the decade to 2035. That's very strong growth. Few roles in Australia are expanding this fast, and it points to solid demand for years to come.
How do you become a solicitor?
Here's the path most solicitors take, step by step.
- 1Complete a law degree
An LLB takes about four years of full-time study, or a Juris Doctor about three years if you already hold a bachelor degree. The course has to be one your state or territory's legal admissions authority recognises.
- 2Finish practical legal training
Practical legal training is usually a graduate diploma of legal practice taking around six months full time, or supervised workplace training that runs longer. It covers the parts a degree does not, such as file management, ethics and the basics of advocacy.
- 3Get admitted and hold a practising certificate
Admission happens through the Supreme Court in your state or territory, and you then apply to the relevant law society or regulator for a practising certificate. Requirements differ between states, so check with your local admissions body.
- 4Start as a graduate or junior solicitor
Clerkships and graduate programs at larger firms are the usual entry point, and many students work as paralegals or law clerks while they study. Smaller firms often hire directly and hand over broader hands-on work earlier.
Study routes we have checked
Qualifications that are a recognised way into this role, and what else you need.
- Bachelor of Accounting/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Computer Science/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Creative Arts/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Information Technology/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Journalism/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry)
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce (double degree)
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts (double degree)
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Cyber Security
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Media and Communication
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete an accredited academic law qualification, required practical legal training, admission and practising-certificate requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Academic study alone does not authorise legal practice. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
Ready to apply as a solicitor?
Whether you're working toward becoming a solicitor or already are one and want a hand with the next step (sharpening your resume for ATS screening, tightening your cover letter, or knowing what you'll actually be asked at interview), here are examples grounded in this specific role, not generic templates.
What jobs can a solicitor move to?
Moving into Magistrate typically comes with the biggest pay rise, worth $126,400 a year more on average.
| Move to | Typical pay change | Overlap | Retraining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magistrate Experienced solicitors can become magistrates, drawing on courtroom and legal knowledge, but the judicial appointment process demands further formal qualification. | +$126,400 | 64% | requalify |
| Barrister Solicitors bring advocacy, case preparation and court experience to the bar, with a short practical course needed for admission.Known move | +$74,100 | 70% | short course |
| Legislative Drafter Solicitors bring statutory interpretation and precise drafting to legislative drafting, requiring only specialist training in the legislative process. | +$17,200 | 62% | minimal |
| Intellectual Property Lawyer Solicitors move into intellectual property work with strong legal drafting and analytical skills, needing only specialist patent or trademark knowledge. | +$14,600 | 89% | minimal |
| Corporate Lawyer Solicitors specialise in corporate law using existing contract, negotiation and advisory skills, with no further formal study required. | +$0 | 81% | minimal |
Moves are chosen from Jobs and Skills Australia's Data on Occupation Mobility, which follows income tax records between 2011-12 and 2020-21, together with entry requirements and skill overlap. A known move is one people were seen making in that data. Pay change compares median full-time pay for the two roles.
Who works as a solicitor?
The typical solicitor is 37 years old; 57% are women, 89% work full-time, and full-timers average 46 hours a week.
- 37
- Median age
- 57%
- Female share
- 89%
- Full-time
- +6h
- vs all-jobs avg
What's it like being a solicitor?
Solicitors work to other people's deadlines, and full-time hours average 46 a week, stretching further when a matter is close to a hearing or a deal is about to sign. The day moves between reading, writing and talking: a client meeting, a draft that has to go out, a call with the other side. It suits people who like solving problems in writing and are comfortable being the person a client leans on when something has gone wrong.
What people like
- The advice turns into something real. A contract signed, a settlement paid, an approval granted. You can point to the result and know your work produced it.
- Every matter is a different problem. One week a lease dispute, the next a business sale, the next a complaint about a decision by a government agency, so the reading stays varied.
- Precision is the skill. Getting a clause, a submission or a letter exactly right is a craft, and you find out quickly whether it held up.
- Client relationships build over years. Small business clients and long-running matters mean you get to know the people involved, their history and what they are trying to build.
What people find hard
- Billable hours shape the day. Most private practice time is recorded in six-minute units against a target, which changes how you approach even a short phone call.
- Deadlines belong to the court and the other side. Filing dates and settlement dates do not shift because you are busy, so quiet weeks and heavy weeks sit close together.
- Less courtroom work than people expect. For most solicitors the job is advisory and transactional, and advocacy is a small share of the week unless they deliberately specialise that way.
- You carry other people's problems. Clients usually come to you because something has gone wrong, and the details are often personal and high-stakes for them.
Based on our synthesis of professional-body surveys and public accounts of the role, not first-person verified reviews.
Which industries employ solicitors?
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services employs the largest share of solicitors, followed by Public Administration and Safety.
Top employing industries
- 1Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- 2Public Administration and Safety
Ranked by employment share; the source doesn't publish an exact percentage per industry.
| Bachelor degree | 64.7% | |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate | 32.8% | |
| Year 12 or below | 0.6% | |
| Diploma / Advanced Diploma | 0.5% | |
| Certificate III/IV | 0.1% |
Will AI replace solicitors?
AI exposure for solicitors is moderate. The tools are genuinely strong at finding and summarising text, which covers a real share of legal research and the first draft of routine documents. What they do not do is work out what a client needs, negotiate with the other side, or carry responsibility for advice someone will act on, so solicitors who use the tools well spend less time searching and more time on the parts of a matter that need a person.
Share of typical working time by exposure level
- Drafting contracts and correspondenceFirst drafts of routine documents and letters come together quickly with precedents and AI assistance, while the clause that fits this client's particular deal still gets written and checked by a lawyer.30%moderate
- Researching legislation and case lawAI search and summarising tools cut the time it takes to find relevant authority, but you still check that a case is current, from the right jurisdiction and actually applies to your facts.25%high
- Advising clients and negotiatingReading what a client actually needs and then negotiating with the other side rests on judgement, relationships and reading the room, which tools do not hold.25%low
- Running matters, filing and court preparationPractice management software already handles document assembly, deadline tracking and billing, but appearing at court and taking responsibility for a filing stays with the solicitor.20%moderate
Moves least exposed to AI
These career moves from solicitor work are rated low for AI exposure:
- Magistrate
High skill overlap (64%), requalify to get there, and a low automation-risk profile.
Common questions about becoming a solicitor
Straight answers to the questions people ask most.
How much does a solicitor earn?
Solicitors earn a median of $107,600 per annum, before tax, though actual pay varies widely with the firm, the practice area and the location. Private practice, corporate work and larger firms generally pay more than government, in-house or community legal centre roles. Partnership is where earnings can grow most, because income then depends on the firm's profit.
How do you become a solicitor in Australia?
You complete an accredited law degree, finish practical legal training, then get admitted through the Supreme Court in your state or territory and apply for a practising certificate. In practice that means around five to six years from starting study to practising, counting the degree and the practical training. Working as a paralegal or law clerk while you study is common and helps when you apply for a graduate role.
Are solicitors in demand in Australia?
Solicitors are currently in shortage nationally, and employment is projected to grow 21.2% over the decade to 2035. Demand follows the sectors that are busy, so property, commercial, regulatory and employment work tend to move first. For someone weighing up the degree, the practical question is which area of law you want to build experience in, because hiring is done by practice group rather than for solicitors in general.
Will AI replace solicitors?
AI is changing parts of the job rather than replacing it, and the overall exposure is moderate. Research tools find and summarise case law quickly, and routine documents are faster to draft, but deciding what a client needs, negotiating with the other side and taking responsibility for advice that someone will act on still sit with the solicitor. The work is shifting towards review, judgement and client contact and away from hunting through cases.
What can a solicitor move into later?
Many solicitors specialise over time, moving into corporate or intellectual property work, or to the bar as a barrister, where pay is typically $74,100 more. Others work towards partnership or open their own practice, which is often where earnings grow. Coming from a legal executive, law clerk or legal secretary role, you would need to complete a law degree and admission to practise.
Do solicitors spend much time in court?
For most solicitors, court is a small part of the week. The bulk of the work is advising clients, drafting documents and negotiating, with appearances limited to procedural hearings, mentions and the occasional defended matter. If advocacy is what you want, you can build towards it through a litigation practice or move to the bar.
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