Legal Assistant

A Legal Assistant works with other legal professionals in a court or lawyer’s office. Your daily activities will be varied but could involve helping to prepare legal documents, assisting clients to get ready for a court appearance or gathering information needed for a legal case. You might have to do some research to help with an upcoming trial and will need a strong knowledge of the legal system. Legal Assistants will also have to perform some administrative tasks during their day.

Legal Assistants need to be thorough and have good attention to detail. It’s important that you can follow instructions and work well as part of larger team. You’ll need good people skills and you’ll have to be a good communicator. Legal Assistants will usually be working with many clients at any one time so you’ll need to have good time management skills and be able to multi-task.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $72,800
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a legal assistant?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended
BSB40620

Certificate IV in Legal Services
Online
12 months
$4,464
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Legal Secretary Legal Assistant Legal Administrator
Law Clerk Paralegal
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Legal Secretary Legal Assistant Legal Administrator Law Clerk Paralegal + 2 more
BSB50720

Diploma of Paralegal Services
On Campus, Online
12 months
$6,780 - $9,900
  • At least 2 years work experience in a related field OR
  • Have completed the following units (or equivalent competencies): BSBLEG314 Protect information in a legal services environment; BSBLEG423 Conduct simple legal research; and BSBLEG424 Support the drafting of complex legal documents (or equivalent competencies).
Additional requirements may apply.
Legal Administrator Legal Assistant Paralegal
Legal Researcher Law Clerk Contract Administrator Compliance Officer
+ 4 more
  • At least 2 years work experience in a related field OR
  • Have completed the following units (or equivalent competencies): BSBLEG314 Protect information in a legal services environment; BSBLEG423 Conduct simple legal research; and BSBLEG424 Support the drafting of complex legal documents (or equivalent competencies).
  • Have completed the following units (or equivalent competencies): BSBLEG314 Protect information in a legal services environment; BSBLEG423 Conduct simple legal research; and BSBLEG424 Support the drafting of complex legal documents (or equivalent competencies).
Additional requirements may apply.
Legal Administrator Legal Assistant Paralegal Legal Researcher Law Clerk Contract Administrator Compliance Officer + 4 more
BSB30320

Certificate III in Legal Services
Online
12 months
$3,540
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Legal Secretary Legal Assistant Law Clerk
Paralegal Claims Officer
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Legal Secretary Legal Assistant Law Clerk Paralegal Claims Officer + 2 more
BSB60220

Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing
Blended, On Campus, Online
18 - 36 months
$0 - $24,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Conveyancer Legal Assistant Settlements Officer
Property Administrator
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Conveyancer Legal Assistant Settlements Officer Property Administrator + 1 more
22594VIC

Diploma of Justice
Blended, On Campus, Online
12 - 18 months
$0 - $8,371
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Prison Officer Correctional Officer Youth Justice Officer
Community Corrections Officer Court Officer Probation Officer Legal Assistant
+ 4 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Prison Officer Correctional Officer Youth Justice Officer Community Corrections Officer Court Officer Probation Officer Legal Assistant + 4 more
22565VIC

Advanced Diploma of Legal Practice
On Campus
18 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Paralegal Law Clerk Legal Assistant
Intellectual Property Lawyer Solicitor Lawyer Conveyancer
+ 4 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Paralegal Law Clerk Legal Assistant Intellectual Property Lawyer Solicitor Lawyer Conveyancer + 4 more

Graduate Diploma in Law
On Campus
6 months
$0 - $23,120
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Legal Assistant Paralegal Compliance Officer
Contract Administrator Policy Officer Claims Officer Legal Researcher Research Assistant Court Officer
+ 6 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Legal Assistant Paralegal Compliance Officer Contract Administrator Policy Officer Claims Officer Legal Researcher Research Assistant Court Officer + 6 more
BSBSS00106

Introduction to Paralegal Services Skill Set
Blended
10 weeks
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Legal Assistant Legal Secretary Office Assistant
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Legal Assistant Legal Secretary Office Assistant

Undergraduate Certificate in Commercial and Tax Law
On Campus
12 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Legal Assistant Legal Secretary Legal Administrator
Accounts Clerk
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Legal Assistant Legal Secretary Legal Administrator Accounts Clerk + 1 more
BSBAUD412

Work within Compliance Frameworks
Online
3 months
$275
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Compliance Coordinator Compliance Specialist Compliance Officer
Internal Auditor Risk Management Officer Business Analyst Governance Officer Legal Assistant Paralegal
+ 6 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Compliance Coordinator Compliance Specialist Compliance Officer Internal Auditor Risk Management Officer Business Analyst Governance Officer Legal Assistant Paralegal + 6 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Paralegal

Paralegals assist legal professionals by preparing court materials, conducting research, managing paperwork, and communicating with clients and witnesses.

Avg yearly income $72,800
Skill level Advanced

Common questions

How much does a Legal Assistant earn?

In Australia, a full time Legal Assistant generally earns $1,400 per week ($72,800 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

What are the job opportunities for a Legal Assistant?

While there are 9,100 people in the legal administrative industry in Australia, only a small percentage of these are hired as Legal Assistants. The number of people in this industry has decreased slightly in recent years. Legal Assistants can find work in all regions of Australia.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

How do I become a Legal Assistant?

If you’d like to become a Legal Assistant you could enrol in a Diploma of Legal Services. A Certificate IV in Legal Services or a Certificate III in Business Administration (Legal) would also be suitable qualifications.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Courses by location

Further reading

How to start a career as a Paralegal

20th July 2021

How to start a career as a Legal Secretary

19th April 2021

How to start a career in Legal Services

17th June 2021