Pay for the best-performing partners in Australia has surged in the past couple of years, with some firms now paying A$6 million ($3.9 million) or more to attract and retain lawyers with sizable practices.

Observers say the aggressive push by Corrs Chambers Westgarth to hire top partners and climb into the upper echelons of Australian law firms along with competition from international firms is spilling over into higher pay for the most profitable partners at other firms.