How to become a Legal Secretary
Performs secretarial, clerical and other administrative tasks in support of Legal Professionals by applying knowledge of legal terminology, procedures and documents.
Main tasks
- Prepares legal documents such as contracts, briefs and court forms
- Organises and maintains legal files and documents
- Conducts legal research and gathers relevant information
- Schedules appointments, meetings and court hearings for Legal Professionals
- Drafts correspondence and emails on behalf of Legal Professionals
- Assists in the preparation of legal bills and invoices
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Legal Services (BSB30320); Certificate IV in Legal Services (BSB40620); Diploma of Paralegal Services (BSB50720); Certificate IV in Defence Paralegal Services (DEF40722)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $84,552 a year
- About 30,200 people work in this job group now, and about 28,500 are projected by 2035. (-5.7%)
- Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Legal Secretary?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Legal Services; Certificate IV in Legal Services.
How much does a Legal Secretary earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $84,552 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Legal Secretary a growing career in Australia?
Employment is projected to fall 6% by 2035, from about 30,200 to about 28,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Legal Secretary?
Usually not. Only 15% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Legal Services; Certificate IV in Legal Services.
Will AI change the work of a Legal Secretary?
Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.
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