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By lawyers, for lawyers · Since 1993
Clarence

Billable target comparison

Billable target comparison

A College of Law survey reported that the average billable hours target is 6 hours per day. See how your target compares.

What is your billable target?

See how your target compares to the reported average.

6.5 hours is an example. Replace it with your own daily target.

Your target compared

Survey reference: 6 hours per day. This is a target comparison, rather than a measure of time actually worked.

Ever thought of setting your own targets?

Source: College of Law, 2025 Australian Legal Salary Survey, published individual billable-target figure. Daily basis also reported by Queensland Law Society's Proctor, August 2025. The public summary does not provide a matching benchmark for every career stage or firm type.

Check what counts towards your target

The number is easier to compare when you know how it is counted. These are useful questions to take to a review or a conversation about a role.

Recorded or recovered?

Is your target based on time recorded, time invoiced or fees collected? What happens to time that is written off?

Which work counts?

Check how supervision, training, business development and other responsibilities are recognised.

How is leave treated?

Check how annual leave, public holidays and part-time arrangements affect the target you are expected to meet.

Look at the role alongside the target

Two roles can carry the same target and ask different things of you. Consider the predictability of your hours, the support available and the work you want to do.

Compare your salaryExplore the Going Solo guide
How this comparison works

For a daily target, the tool compares the hours entered with the survey's six-hour figure. For an annual target, it first divides your annual billable hours by the working days you enter. The difference is rounded to the nearest minute. The annual result is a calculated daily equivalent, not a separate annual survey benchmark. The survey is a reference point across its respondents. It does not establish a suitable target for your role, your efficiency or how many hours you should work.

Your input stays in this page. This tool does not save it or send it to Clarence.

A person working at a laptop beside the window at Clarence, 111 Elizabeth Street.

Ever considered setting your own targets?

Having control of your days, your targets and where and when you work can create a very different career.

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