Paralegal
Assist legal professionals to deliver legal services.
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowJob growth
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5-year projectionSalary
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Typical salaryJob satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowSalary
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Typical salaryJob growth
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5-year projectionJob satisfaction
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On this page
- What's it like to be a Paralegal?
- How to become a Paralegal
- Latest Paralegal jobs
- Top skills and experience for Paralegals
- Is Paralegal the right role for you?
- Paralegal role reviews
What's it like to be a Paralegal?
Paralegals assist Solicitors, Lawyers and Barristers to deliver legal services. They are trained in law, but can’t provide legal advice or work without the supervision of a registered member of the legal community. Due to the volume and calibre of work they do on cases Paralegals can charge clients for their time, unlike Legal Assistants.Did you find this video helpful?
Tasks and duties
- Managing the discovery phase of a case, including interviewing clients, undertaking research and investigating precedents.
- Drafting legal documents, including subpoenas, contracts, complaints and briefs.
- Organising and managing files, paperwork, data and evidence.
- Filing documents with the courts.
- Providing administrative support behind the scenes at hearings.
- Arranging mediation between parties that are in dispute.
- Arranging psychological evaluations and meetings in family law matters.
How to become a Paralegal
While there are no mandatory educational requirements to become a Paralegal, it’s common for Paralegals to have some training in legal services.
- Consider starting off as a Legal Secretary or assistant working under the supervision of a Lawyer, gaining knowledge, experience and skills over time.
- You can also develop key skills for the role by completing a relevant VET course with a TAFE or registered training organisation. This could be a Certificate IV in Legal Services (BSB40620).
- Alternatively, you can complete a Bachelor of Law. While not essential, a degree can improve your employability and broaden your career options. This usually takes four years of full-time study.
Compare your salary
Find out how your salary compares with the average salary for Paralegals.Latest Paralegal jobs on SEEK
Be one of the first to discover these recently listed jobs, or browse all Paralegal jobs on SEEK right now.Did you find this helpful?
Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Paralegal employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas. Legal Research
File Management
Litigation
Conveyancing
Thoroughness
Legal Support
Drafting Correspondence
Client Liaison
PEXA Platform
Personal Injury
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Latest Paralegal reviews
Aug 2019
The legal industry is frought with much risk of career burnout but is also rich with the reward of human experience and making real difference to people's lives.
Reviewer's QualificationGraduate Diploma of Legal Practice
Experience1 – 4 years
Organisation sizeLarge (200+ employees)
SpecialisationPersonal injuries
The good thingsThere is much variety in the role of a legal graduate with many job opportunities due to the ability to choose different career paths.
I have been graduated for four years, and within those four yea...
The challengesIt is well understood the legal industry is a demanding industry with high levels of career burnout. As a young graduate you are particularly at risk of this burnout, as you attempt to climb the caree...
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Aug 2019
Mortgage recovery may be taxing, but the work is varied, stimulating and fulfilling
Reviewer's QualificationJuris Doctor
Experience1 – 4 years
Organisation sizeLarge (200+ employees)
SpecialisationSolicitor
The good thingsDespite the (sometimes) sad nature of the role, no day is the same. The variety and circumstance behind each file provides for a very interesting, challenging but fulfilled work life. Working as in-ho...
The challengesWhilst fulfilling, attention to detail is paramount, so due care must be taken which can sometimes slow down the process. It can sometimes become challenging when a file progresses such that repossess...
Read more
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Help people decide if your job is right for them - it only takes a few minutes.Source: SEEK role reviews
SEEK has not verified the truth or accuracy of these comments and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted on this page.SEEK collects and posts the comments for what they are worth and for information purposes only to assist candidates to find employment through www.seek.com.au
