Attorney General's rates for Legal Representation
The Attorney General's rates (also referred to as AG's Rates or Attorney's rates) are rates set by the Attorney General payable to legal representatives (solicitors, Junior and Senior Counsel) engaged by and on behalf of Government departments and agencies and public officials.
On 29 July 2021, the Australian Bureau of Statistics announced the annual inflation rate rose over the year to 30 June 2021. Accordingly, the Attorney General decided the AG’s rates would increase to the rates announced on 1 August 2021. The AG’s rates will be reviewed mid-August 2022.
From, 1 August 2021, the following rates apply:
- Solicitor - $306.21 per hour with a daily maximum of $3,062 plus GST
- Junior Counsel - $306.21 per hour with a daily maximum of $2,297 plus GST
- Senior Counsel - $506.54 per hour with a daily maximum of $5,065 plus GST
(NB: Daily maximum rounded to the nearest dollar)
The above rates include all overheads, secretarial, legal and administrative assistance but not out of pocket disbursements. The rates are GST exclusive.
The daily maximum for Solicitors and Senior Counsel is based on a 10 hour day.
The daily maximum for Junior Counsel is based on a 7.5 hour day.
The daily rate is a maximum rate. There is no entitlement to the maximum daily rate. Work performed over a day can be charged at the hourly rate up to but not exceeding the stated daily maximum per calendar day or 24 hour period.
While the above are maximum daily and hourly rates, agencies can negotiate lower rates with Junior and Senior Counsel and Solicitors.
The Attorney's rates are to apply to matters such as:
- representation of Ministers, public officials or public sector employees who have been approved for ex gratia assistance under Premier's Memorandum 19-01;
- representation before ICAC, Law Enforcement Conduct Commission or similar Commission proceedings; and
- in respect of costs associated with certificates under the Suitor's Fund Act and with the Costs in Criminal Cases Act.
For further information regarding the AG Rates please see the Attorney General's rates for Legal Representation Fact sheet and FAQs.
Attorney General's rates for Legal Representation Fact sheet (pdf)
Past AG Rates
1 August 2020 – 31 July 2021 (unchanged from 2019-2020)
Legal Representative
| Hourly Rate – plus GST
| Daily Maximum |
Solicitor
| $295
| $2,950 plus GST
|
Junior Counsel
| $295
| $2,212.50 plus GST
|
Senior Counsel
| $488
| $4,800 plus GST
|
1 August 2019 – 31 July 2020
Legal Representative
| Hourly Rate – plus GST
| Daily Maximum |
Solicitor
| $295
| $2,950 plus GST
|
Junior Counsel
| $295
| $2,212.50 plus GST
|
Senior Counsel
| $488
| $4,800 plus GST
|
1 August 2018 – 31 July 2019
Legal Representative
| Hourly Rate – plus GST
| Daily Maximum |
Solicitor
| $290
| $2,900 plus GST
|
Junior Counsel
| $290
| $2,175 plus GST
|
Senior Counsel
| $480
| $4,800 plus GST
|
1 August 2017 – 31 July 2018
Legal Representative
| Hourly Rate – plus GST
| Daily Maximum
|
Solicitor
| $285
| $2,850 plus GST
|
Junior Counsel
| $285
| $2,140 plus GST
|
Senior Counsel
| $470
| $4,700 plus GST
|
1 August 2016 – 31 July 2017
| Legal Representative | Hourly Rate – plus GST | Daily Maximum |
| Solicitor | $280 | $2,800 plus GST |
| Junior Counsel | $280 | $2,100 plus GST |
| Senior Counsel | $460 | $4,600 plus GST
|
1 October 2010 – 31 July 2016
| Legal Representative | Hourly Rate – plus GST | Daily Maximum |
| Solicitor | $240 | $2,400 plus GST |
| Junior Counsel | $240 | $1,800 plus GST |
| Senior Counsel | $400 | $4,000 plus GST
|