Australia

Marsden International has a strong Australian practice and works with Australian lawyers considering their domestic and international career options. We also have considerable experience working with foreign qualified lawyers interested in relocating to Australia.

Our Australian based Director, Greg Plummer has extensive legal recruitment experience within the Australian and international markets. He is well regarded by clients and candidates, including many who have used him a number of times and referred their friends and colleagues to him.

Australian Qualified Lawyers and Returners

Marsden International works with junior lawyers through to partners and teams across all Australian capital cities.

We can assist you to move to another firm in your current city, inter-state or internationally. Our Australian clients range from national premier and top mid-tier firms through to boutiques. Globally, we work with all the major international firms.

Where possible we will meet with you face to face to discuss your career to date, determine what your overall career goals are and discuss roles that fit within those aspirations whether in Australia or overseas.

Through our international network of offices we also work extensively with Australian and New Zealand qualified lawyers overseas and looking to return to Australia. New Zealand qualified lawyers do not require a visa to work in Australia and are granted automatic admission under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997.

Foreign Qualified lawyers Interested in Australia

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world and has a robust and dynamic economy. It is known for its areas of outstanding beauty, the enviable climate and its lifestyle. The energy, culture and vibrancy of its major cities Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane are comparable to many of the world’s leading cities.

The Market

The quality of work on offer in Australia is world class. Australian legal experience is very highly regarded by the top UK and US firms.

Australia has a range of internationally regarded commercial, full service law firms working with both blue chip domestic and international clients. Many of these firms also work across the Australasia region with either offices across Asia or reciprocal arrangements.

The Australian firms most interested in foreign qualified lawyers are the premier level national firms, top national mid tier firms and specialist boutique firms. Most of the larger firms have offices in all the major capital cities.

Salary Package

Australian law firms speak in terms of 'salary packages' made up of two components: first, a 'base' salary paid directly on a regular basis and secondly: on top of the base salary, a compulsory 9% superannuation component - capped at a certain level and paid to a specified superannuation account by your employer. Protocols exist governing what happens to your superannuation if you leave Australia. This base salary plus the superannuation represents your 'salary package'.

Salary packages will vary between states, with lawyers in Sydney and Melbourne expecting to be paid more than lawyers in Brisbane and Perth. The package offered to you will depend on a number of elements including what level the firm considers you to be vis a vis other lawyers within the firm and your particular practice area. For example, a corporate or banking lawyer might be expected to transition more quickly into Australia than a litigation or real estate lawyer as there are fewer specific jurisdictional restraints.

Salary bands are reviewed by most Australian firms every year around June (to correspond to the Australian financial year: 1st July - 30th June). You can expect an annual salary review in conjunction with that timing. As salary bands change constantly, please contact Greg Plummer for the most up-to-date market information.

Visa Requirements
Unless you have status or you are an Australian passport holder, it will be necessary for you to be sponsored by your employer, usually under a 457 working visa. Your employer will work with you and the Department of Immigration to secure this for you.

Re-qualification

Foreign qualified lawyers seeking to re-qualify in Australia are required to apply to the Law Society in the State in which they intend to practice. Each State is different and it may be easier to become qualified in one compared to another.

The relevant State Admission Board will assess which academic and practical training requirements you will be obliged to complete. Once you become qualified in one State, your qualifications will be recognized in other Australian States. Your employer will also assist you with this process.

The Australian Lifestyle

The attraction of Australia is the opportunity to have a rewarding and challenging career combined with a high and enviable quality of life. Although lawyers work hard, you will still have time to experience all that Australia has to offer; sun, sea, surf, beaches entertainment, fashion, good food, culture, theatre and music. Australians enjoy a relatively safe environment whether single or as part of a family.

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Australia

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