Can someone tell me what the average starting salary for a newly qualified lawyer in Australia is?

Is 40 too old to become a laywer? I've got heaps of experience in another discipline and a good degree from a reputable university.

A (general lawyers) answer on your question is: it depends!

Do you have already a law degree in any other jurisdiction and are trying to qualify as a lawyer in Australia? If so, it might take less time to become a licensed solicitor or barrister. Otherwise it'll take you the minimum of 5 yrs...
Why do you want to become a lawyer at the age of 40? What kind of degree do you have?

Cheers

Yes, I already have a law degree from a reputable Australian law school. So, can anyone tell me what the average starting salary for a newly qualified lawyer is, say in a big city like Melbourne, Perth or Sydney?

Hello,

I'm from Melbourne and can only say, "it depends".

At first it is quite low. As my lecturer pointed out, a good plumber or brick layer will make more than most lawyers.

If however, you can make it into one of the big firms, your pay will be very good. But, you will need to work for it!

Median starting salary is $38,000

However, this is an average. Bear in mind though that it will increase with experience. Bear in mind also that if your pay goes up, so does your firms expectations of you, and, your hours. A partner of a small firm joked to me and said: "every friday you get to introduce yourself to your family for half an hour".

Good luck with it! I'm just glad that I love law and have a passion for the profession because the pay, when balanced with the work does not seem to be all that great.

Thanks, capa.

If you manage to land a job in one of the big firms in Melbourne (Allens, Freehills, Malleson's etc) you will start on about $55k.
Smaller firms should pay from 40 up.
Sydney will be a little higher than Melbourne since the cost of living is higher there.
Dont know about Perth. I think slightly less than Melbourne though.
Leigh