How to become a Law Clerk
Also called: Legal Assistant, Paralegal
Performs specialised clerical work associated with legal practice and law courts.
Main tasks
- Assists lawyers to prepare legal documents and correspondence
- Conducts legal research and gathers relevant information for cases
- Organises and maintains legal files and documents
- Drafts and proofreads legal documents such as contracts and agreements
- Assists in the preparation of court documents, filings, trial materials and exhibits
- Communicates with clients, witnesses and other parties involved in legal matters
Ways in
- University: Law & Justice degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Legal Services (BSB40620); Diploma of Defence Paralegal Services (DEF50422); Diploma of Paralegal Services (BSB50720); Certificate III in Legal Services (BSB30320); Certificate IV in Defence Paralegal Services (DEF40722)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $81,900 a year
- About 19,300 people work in this job group now, and about 21,000 are projected by 2035. (+8.8%)
- AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Law Clerk?
Ways in include: Law & Justice degrees; Certificate IV in Legal Services; Diploma of Defence Paralegal Services.
How much does a Law Clerk earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $81,900 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Law Clerk a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2035, from about 19,300 to about 21,000 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Law Clerk?
Not always. 39% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Law & Justice degrees; Certificate IV in Legal Services; Diploma of Defence Paralegal Services.
Will AI change the work of a Law Clerk?
AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04