The Australian Market
The Region
Sydney
Sydney is the largest and one of the most beautiful cities in Australia offering extensive opportunities professionals working in the legal industry. The City attracts all walks of life with the opportunity for a healthy work/lifestyle balance and high earning potential. Many CBD offices offer breathtaking views of the world famous Sydney Opera House and the historic Harbour Bridge. Sydney still remains Australia’s financial hub with a laid back feel; it is one of the only cities in the world where you can leave work at 5:00pm and head to the beach to catch the last of the days sun.
Melbourne
Melbourne is a completely different kettle of fish to Sydney. The CBD itself is slightly smaller and is a cosmopolitan land mark which attracts both Aussies and Expats alike. Many people fall in love with Melbourne for its cultural and some say European feel. With the bustling atmosphere of quirky cafés and bar/restaurants, Melbourne is increasingly becoming an appealing city in which to live and work. The vast majority of CBD law firms are open to employees from Australia, UK, Europe and the Australian market.
Brisbane
Brisbane offers a lower key and relaxed lifestyle. It has some of Australia’s best kept secrets on its door-step. From the sub-tropic rainforest to the amazing surf beaches of Byron Bay, you will never be stuck for things to do with your long weekend. Brisbane is often the city of choice for people who might be looking to settle in Australia and potentially start a family. The CBD itself is very well-kept, clean and modern. Working here would suit people who are sick of the sheer manic hustle and bustle of big city living. The legal market is buoyant and firms are always keen to receive applications from professionals across the globe.
Perth
Perth really does offer something completely different from the every other city in Australia. It is not a large city with a general population of 1.8 million, but it has a certain magic to it. Many who live there describe it as a city with a small town feel. Again many of the larger city firms have offices in Perth and there are multiple opportunities for both support staff and professionals.
Adelaide, The Northern Territory and Canberra are all fast developing markets for lawyers and secretaries alike. A number of National law firms have offices in these locations and in some instances, the 3 states have a head office with a smaller office within the Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane markets.
Australian Market
The Australian legal market consists has a unique yet simple structure. Firms are categorised as top-tier, mid-tier or boutique. Top-tier firms include Minter Ellison, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Freehills, Clayton Utz, Allens Arthur Robinson and Blake Dawson. Australia is also renowned for its pool of excellent mid-tier firms who often attract partners from the top-tier with healthy work/lifestyle balances and competitive benefits packages. Boutique firms generally specialise in one or two practice areas. Many boutique firms have excellent reputations for client care and delivering results. Australia was also one of the only countries to avoid economic recession during the global financial crisis. This prompted many UK and US firms to start offices in Sydney such as magic circle firm Allen & Overy and American big guns Jones Day.
Current Situation
The current Australian legal market is more buoyant than ever before. There are extensive opportunities for both professional and support candidates across multiple areas of law including, corporate (mergers and acquisition), banking and finance, commercial, litigation, property, insurance, IP and insolvency.
Salaries
Salaries for legal professionals in Australia remain one of the main key selling points for attracting both domestic and international candidates. Between July 2010 and July 2011 basic secretarial salaries rose by 11%, with senior legal secretaries fetching packages of up to $85,000.
Other Australian Requirements
Many Australian firms require lawyers to have Australian qualifications, or to have been admitted and have significant experience in other common law jurisdictions. International transactions experience is highly regarded and candidates with experience working in internationally reputed firms are preferred. For foreign legal support staff looking to obtain permanent positions in the Australian market, this is not an easy task. Firms are reluctant to sponsor support staff as they prefer to source local candidates first and foremost. There is however the opportunity for temporary work and contracts of up to 6 months with each firm.
