Home / Pay guides / MA000046
Air Pilots Award pay rates 2026–27
The minimum hourly rates and penalty rates under the Air Pilots Award 2020 [MA000046], in force from 14 July 2026. The lowest adult rate is $23.46 an hour, or $29.33 for casuals.
Minimum hourly rates
Adult rates per hour. The casual rate includes the casual loading. Junior, apprentice and trainee rates are set separately in the award.
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| 1360 kg – 3359 kg — First Officer/Second Pilot (1Jul24-31Dec24) | $23.46 | $29.33 |
| UTBNI 1360 kg — First Officer/Second Pilot (1Jul24-31Dec24) | $23.46 | $29.33 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Single engine 1360 kg - 3359 kg (1Jul24-31Dec24) | $23.46 | $29.33 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Single engine UTBNI 1360 kg (1Jul24-31Dec24) | $23.46 | $29.33 |
| 0–1000 (1Jul24-31Dec24) | $23.46 | $29.33 |
| UTBNI 1360 kg — First Officer/Second Pilot | $26.45 | $33.06 |
| 1360 kg – 3359 kg — First Officer/Second Pilot | $26.45 | $33.06 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Single engine UTBNI 1360 kg | $26.45 | $33.06 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Single engine 1360 kg–3359 kg | $26.45 | $33.06 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Single engine 3360 kg & above | $26.61 | $33.26 |
| UTBNI 3360 kg — First Officer/Second Pilot | $26.84 | $33.55 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Multi engine UTBNI 3360 kg | $26.84 | $33.55 |
| 3360 kg & above — First Officer/Second Pilot | $27.88 | $34.85 |
| 3360 kg UTBNI 5660 kg — First Officer/Second Pilot | $27.88 | $34.85 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Multi engine 3360 kg UTBNI 5660 kg | $27.88 | $34.85 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Multi engine 5660 kg UTBNI 8500 kg | $29.04 | $36.30 |
| 5660 kg UTBNI 8500 kg — First Officer/Second Pilot | $29.04 | $36.30 |
| 8500 kg UTBNI 12000 kg — First Officer/Second Pilot | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| UTBNI 1360 kg — Captain | $29.47 | $36.84 |
| Captain — Single engine UTBNI 1360 kg | $29.47 | $36.84 |
| Captain — Single engine 1360 kg–3359 kg | $30.72 | $38.40 |
| 1360 kg – 3359 kg — Captain | $30.72 | $38.40 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Multi engine 8500 kg UTBNI 12000 kg | $30.85 | $38.56 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Multi engine 12000 kg UTBNI 15000 kg | $32.84 | $41.05 |
| 12000 kg UTBNI 15000 kg — First Officer/Second Pilot | $32.84 | $41.05 |
| Co-pilot — Mohawk | $33.22 | $41.53 |
| Captain — Cessna 210 | $33.56 | $41.95 |
| Group 1 — Captain | $33.56 | $41.95 |
| Captain — Cessna 206 | $33.56 | $41.95 |
| Captain — Cessna 207 | $33.56 | $41.95 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Dash 8 300–19505 kg MTOW | $33.64 | $42.05 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Multi engine 15000 kg UTBNI 19000 kg | $33.64 | $42.05 |
| Co-pilot — De Havilland 6-200 | $33.82 | $42.28 |
| Co-pilot — Beechcraft 200 | $33.82 | $42.28 |
| Co-pilot — Embraer 110 | $33.82 | $42.28 |
| Co-pilot — De Havilland 6-100 | $33.82 | $42.28 |
| Co-pilot — Swearingen 226 | $33.82 | $42.28 |
| Group 5 — Co-pilot | $33.82 | $42.28 |
| Co-pilot — Casa 212 | $33.82 | $42.28 |
| Co-pilot — De Havilland 6-300 | $33.82 | $42.28 |
| Co-pilot — Swearingen 227 | $33.82 | $42.28 |
| 3360 kg & above — Captain | $34.06 | $42.58 |
| Co-pilot — Beach 1900 | $34.24 | $42.80 |
| Co-pilot — Jetstream 31 | $34.24 | $42.80 |
| Group 6 — Co-pilot | $34.24 | $42.80 |
| Co-pilot — Metro 23 | $34.24 | $42.80 |
| UTBNI 3360 kg — Captain | $34.31 | $42.89 |
| Captain — Multi engine UTBNI 3360 kg | $34.31 | $42.89 |
| Co-pilot — Cessna 550 | $34.80 | $43.50 |
| Co-pilot — McDonnell Douglas | $34.80 | $43.50 |
| Co-pilot — DC3 | $34.80 | $43.50 |
| Co-pilot — Shorts SD-360 | $34.80 | $43.50 |
| Group 7 — Co-pilot | $34.80 | $43.50 |
| Co-pilot — Shorts SD-330 | $34.80 | $43.50 |
| 15000 kg UTBNI 19000 kg — First Officer/Second Pilot | $35.23 | $44.04 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Dash 8 200–16466 kg MTOW | $35.23 | $44.04 |
| Dash 8 100 - 15650 kg MTOW; Dash 8 200 - 16466 kg MTOW; and Dash 8 300 - 19505 kg MTOW — First Officer/Second Pilot | $35.23 | $44.04 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Dash 8 100–15650 kg MTOW | $35.23 | $44.04 |
| Captain — Piper PA31 | $35.50 | $44.38 |
| 3360 kg UTBNI 5660 kg — Captain | $35.68 | $44.60 |
| Captain — Multi engine 3360 kg UTBNI 5660 kg | $35.68 | $44.60 |
| Captain — Single engine 3360 kg & above | $35.68 | $44.60 |
| Captain, Multi engine 3360 kg UTBNI 5660 kg | $35.68 | $44.60 |
| Single engine — 1st year of service | $36.43 | $45.54 |
| Group 8 — Co-pilot | $36.49 | $45.61 |
| Co-pilot — 340 A | $36.49 | $45.61 |
| Co-pilot — Saab-Fairchild | $36.49 | $45.61 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Dash 8 400–28998 kg MTOW | $37.13 | $46.41 |
| 19000 kg & above - unless otherwise listed — First Officer/Second Pilot | $37.13 | $46.41 |
| Dash 8 400 - 28998 kg MTOW — First Officer/Second Pilot | $37.13 | $46.41 |
| First Officers Second Pilots — Multi engine 19000 kg & above—unless otherwise listed | $37.13 | $46.41 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 2nd year of service | $37.14 | $46.43 |
| Captain — Piper PA34 | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Captain — Cessna 414 | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Captain — Partenavia P68 | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Captain — Piper PA23 | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Captain — Britten Norman BN2 | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Group 2 — Captain | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Captain — Cessna 310 | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Captain — Cessna 337 | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Captain — Piper PA60 Aerostar | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Captain — Aero Commander 500 | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Captain — Beechcraft 55 | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Captain — Piper PA30 | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Captain — Cessna 402 | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Captain — Beechcraft 58 | $37.19 | $46.49 |
| Single engine — 2nd year of service | $37.28 | $46.60 |
| Captain — Multi engine 5660 kg UTBNI 8500 kg | $37.63 | $47.04 |
| 5660 kg UTBNI 8500 kg — Captain | $37.63 | $47.04 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 1st year of service | $38.05 | $47.56 |
| Single engine — 3rd year of service | $38.10 | $47.63 |
| Second Officer under Training — Wide body aircraft–double deck | $38.33 | $47.91 |
| Second Officer under Training — Wide body aircraft–single deck | $38.33 | $47.91 |
| Captain — Cessna 404 | $38.45 | $48.06 |
| Captain — Beechcraft 65 | $38.45 | $48.06 |
| Group 3 — Captain | $38.45 | $48.06 |
| Captain — Cessna 421 | $38.45 | $48.06 |
| Captain — Aero Commander 680 | $38.45 | $48.06 |
| Co-pilot — Fokker 50 | $38.66 | $48.33 |
| Co-pilot — ATR 42-300 | $38.66 | $48.33 |
| Co-pilot — Dash 8-100, 102, 200 and 300 | $38.66 | $48.33 |
| Co-pilot — De Havilland | $38.66 | $48.33 |
| Group 9 (De Havilland; Dash 8-100, 102, 200 and 300; ATR 42-300; and Fokker 50) — Co-pilot | $38.66 | $48.33 |
| Single engine — 4th year of service | $38.90 | $48.63 |
| Twin 0–9000 lbs — 1st year of service | $38.90 | $48.63 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 3rd year of service | $39.75 | $49.69 |
| Twin 0–9000 lbs — 2nd year of service | $39.75 | $49.69 |
| Single engine — 5th year of service | $39.75 | $49.69 |
| 8500 kg UTBNI 12000 kg — Captain | $40.48 | $50.60 |
| Captain — Multi engine 8500 kg UTBNI 12000 kg | $40.48 | $50.60 |
| Twin 0–9000 lbs — 3rd year of service | $40.61 | $50.76 |
| Single engine — 6th year of service | $40.61 | $50.76 |
| Twin over 9000 lbs — 1st year of service | $40.61 | $50.76 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 4th year of service | $40.61 | $50.76 |
| Step 1: annual salary + annual applicable additions to salary | $40.86 | $51.08 |
| Group 4 — Captain | $41.18 | $51.48 |
| Captain — Cessna 441 | $41.18 | $51.48 |
| Captain — Nomad N24 | $41.18 | $51.48 |
| Captain — Nomad N22 | $41.18 | $51.48 |
| Captain — Aero Commander 690 | $41.18 | $51.48 |
| Group 9 (Dash 8-400) — Co-pilot | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| Co-pilot — Dash 8-400 | $41.29 | $51.61 |
| Twin 0–9000 lbs — 4th year of service | $41.46 | $51.83 |
| Single engine — 7th year of service | $41.46 | $51.83 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 5th year of service | $41.46 | $51.83 |
| Twin over 9000 lbs — 2nd year of service | $41.46 | $51.83 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 6th year of service | $42.32 | $52.90 |
| All other operations command — 1st year of service | $42.32 | $52.90 |
| Twin 0–9000 lbs — 5th year of service | $42.32 | $52.90 |
| Twin over 9000 lbs — 3rd year of service | $42.32 | $52.90 |
| Single engine — 8th year of service | $42.32 | $52.90 |
| Wide body aircraft – single deck — Second Officer | $42.40 | $53.00 |
| Second Officer — Wide body aircraft–single deck | $42.40 | $53.00 |
| All other operations command — 2nd year of service | $43.17 | $53.96 |
| Twin 0–9000 lbs — 6th year of service | $43.17 | $53.96 |
| Twin over 9000 lbs — 4th year of service | $43.17 | $53.96 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 7th year of service | $43.17 | $53.96 |
| Single engine — 9th year of service | $43.17 | $53.96 |
| Captain — Multi engine 12000 kg UTBNI 15000 kg | $43.51 | $54.39 |
| 12000 kg UTBNI 15000 kg — Captain | $43.51 | $54.39 |
| Twin 0–9000 lbs — 9th year of service | $43.66 | $54.58 |
| Twin over 9000 lbs — 5th year of service | $44.02 | $55.03 |
| Twin 0–9000 lbs — 7th year of service | $44.02 | $55.03 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 8th year of service | $44.02 | $55.03 |
| All other operations command — 3rd year of service | $44.02 | $55.03 |
| All other operations command — 4th year of service | $44.88 | $56.10 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 9th year of service | $44.88 | $56.10 |
| Twin 0–9000 lbs — 8th year of service | $44.88 | $56.10 |
| Twin over 9000 lbs — 6th year of service | $44.88 | $56.10 |
| Captain — Dash 8 100–15650 kg MTOW | $45.26 | $56.58 |
| Twin over 9000 lbs — 7th year of service | $45.73 | $57.16 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 10th year of service | $45.73 | $57.16 |
| All other operations command — 5th year of service | $45.73 | $57.16 |
| Twin over 9000 lbs — 8th year of service | $46.49 | $58.11 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 11th year of service | $46.58 | $58.22 |
| All other operations command — 6th year of service | $46.58 | $58.22 |
| Captain — De Havilland 6-100 | $46.71 | $58.39 |
| Captain — Swearingen 227 | $46.71 | $58.39 |
| Captain — Casa 212 | $46.71 | $58.39 |
| Captain — De Havilland 6-300 | $46.71 | $58.39 |
| Captain — Beechcraft 200 | $46.71 | $58.39 |
| Captain — Embraer 110 | $46.71 | $58.39 |
| Captain — Swearingen 226 | $46.71 | $58.39 |
| Captain — De Havilland 6-200 | $46.71 | $58.39 |
| Group 5 — Captain | $46.71 | $58.39 |
| Captain — Multi engine 15000 kg UTBNI 19000 kg | $47.41 | $59.26 |
| Captain — Dash 8 200–16466 kg MTOW | $47.41 | $59.26 |
| Captain — Dash 8 300–19505 kg MTOW | $47.41 | $59.26 |
| Dash 8 100 - 15650 kg MTOW; Dash 8 200 - 16466 kg MTOW; and Dash 8 300 - 19505 kg MTOW — Captain | $47.41 | $59.26 |
| 15000 kg UTBNI 19000 kg — Captain | $47.41 | $59.26 |
| Twin over 9000 lbs — 9th year of service | $47.44 | $59.30 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 12th year of service | $47.44 | $59.30 |
| All other operations command — 7th year of service | $47.44 | $59.30 |
| Wide body aircraft – double deck — Second Officer | $47.78 | $59.73 |
| Second Officer — Wide body aircraft–double deck | $47.78 | $59.73 |
| Captain — Jetstream 31 | $47.97 | $59.96 |
| Captain — Metro 23 | $47.97 | $59.96 |
| Captain — Beach 1900 | $47.97 | $59.96 |
| Group 6 — Captain | $47.97 | $59.96 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 13th year of service | $48.29 | $60.36 |
| All other operations command — 8th year of service | $48.29 | $60.36 |
| All other operations command — 9th year of service | $49.14 | $61.43 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 14th year of service | $49.14 | $61.43 |
| Captain — Mohawk | $49.88 | $62.35 |
| Captain — Shorts SD-330 | $49.88 | $62.35 |
| Captain — DC3 | $49.88 | $62.35 |
| Captain — Cessna 550 | $49.88 | $62.35 |
| Group 7 — Captain | $49.88 | $62.35 |
| Captain — McDonnell Douglas | $49.88 | $62.35 |
| Captain — Shorts SD-360 | $49.88 | $62.35 |
| All other operations command — 10th year of service | $50.00 | $62.50 |
| UTBNI 9000 lbs — 15th year of service | $50.00 | $62.50 |
| Captain — Dash 8 400–28998 kg MTOW | $50.65 | $63.31 |
| Dash 8 400 - 28998 kg MTOW — Captain | $50.65 | $63.31 |
| 19000 kg & above - unless otherwise listed — Captain | $50.73 | $63.41 |
| Captain — Multi engine 19000 kg & above—unless otherwise listed | $50.73 | $63.41 |
| All other operations command — 11th year of service | $50.85 | $63.56 |
| All other operations command — 12th year of service | $51.70 | $64.63 |
| All other operations command — 13th year of service | $52.56 | $65.70 |
| Captain — Saab-Fairchild | $53.25 | $66.56 |
| Group 8 — Captain | $53.25 | $66.56 |
| Captain — 340 A | $53.25 | $66.56 |
| All other operations command — 14th year of service | $53.41 | $66.76 |
| First Officer — CRJ-50 | $54.04 | $67.55 |
| First Officer — Fokker 28 | $54.04 | $67.55 |
| Fokker 28 and CRJ-50 — First Officer | $54.04 | $67.55 |
| All other operations command — 15th year of service | $54.26 | $67.83 |
| Captain — Dash 8-100, 102, 200 and 300 | $57.48 | $71.85 |
| Group 9 (De Havilland; Dash 8-100, 102, 200 and 300; ATR 42-300; and Fokker 50) — Captain | $57.48 | $71.85 |
| Captain — Fokker 50 | $57.48 | $71.85 |
| Captain — ATR 42-300 | $57.48 | $71.85 |
| Captain — De Havilland | $57.48 | $71.85 |
| Co-pilot — Embraer 190/195 | $58.28 | $72.85 |
| First Officer — Fokker 100 | $58.28 | $72.85 |
| BAe-146; Fokker 100; and Boeing 717 — First Officer | $58.28 | $72.85 |
| Co-pilot — Fokker 70 and Fokker 100 | $58.28 | $72.85 |
| First Officer — BAe-146 | $58.28 | $72.85 |
| Co-pilot — Bae-146 | $58.28 | $72.85 |
| First Officer — Boeing 717 | $58.28 | $72.85 |
| Group 10 (Fokker 70 and Fokker 100; Bae-146 and Embraer 190/195) — Co-pilot | $58.28 | $72.85 |
| Co-pilot — Boeing 737-300 | $60.93 | $76.16 |
| Group 10 (Airbus A319; Airbus 320; Boeing 737-300 and Boeing 737-400) — Co-pilot | $60.93 | $76.16 |
| Co-pilot — Airbus A319 | $60.93 | $76.16 |
| Co-pilot — Airbus A320 | $60.93 | $76.16 |
| First Officer — Narrow body aircraft | $60.93 | $76.16 |
| Narrow body aircraft — First Officer | $60.93 | $76.16 |
| Co-pilot — Boeing 737-400 | $60.93 | $76.16 |
| Captain — Dash 8-400 | $61.43 | $76.79 |
| Group 9 (Dash 8-400) — Captain | $61.43 | $76.79 |
| First Officer — Wide body aircraft–single deck | $69.90 | $87.38 |
| Wide body aircraft – single deck — First Officer | $69.90 | $87.38 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 1st year of service | $78.74 | $98.43 |
| First Officer — Wide body aircraft–double deck | $78.87 | $98.59 |
| Wide body aircraft – double deck — First Officer | $78.87 | $98.59 |
| Captain — CRJ-50 | $81.52 | $101.90 |
| Captain — Fokker 28 | $81.52 | $101.90 |
| Fokker 28 and CRJ-50 — Captain | $81.52 | $101.90 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 3rd year of service | $82.34 | $102.93 |
| Co-pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 1st year of service | $84.08 | $105.10 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 4th year of service | $84.08 | $105.10 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 5th year of service | $85.93 | $107.41 |
| Co-pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 2nd year of service | $85.93 | $107.41 |
| Co-pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 1st year of service | $87.76 | $109.70 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 6th year of service | $87.76 | $109.70 |
| Co-pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 3rd year of service | $87.76 | $109.70 |
| Captain — Bae-146 | $88.25 | $110.31 |
| Captain — Boeing 717 | $88.25 | $110.31 |
| Group 10 (Fokker 70 and Fokker 100; Bae-146 and Embraer 190/195) — Captain | $88.25 | $110.31 |
| Captain — BAe-146 | $88.25 | $110.31 |
| Captain — Fokker 100 | $88.25 | $110.31 |
| Captain — Embraer 190/195 | $88.25 | $110.31 |
| BAe-146; Fokker 100; and Boeing 717 — Captain | $88.25 | $110.31 |
| Captain — Fokker 70 and Fokker 100 | $88.25 | $110.31 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 9th year of service | $89.06 | $111.33 |
| Co-pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 2nd year of service | $89.61 | $112.01 |
| Co-pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 4th year of service | $89.61 | $112.01 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 7th year of service | $89.61 | $112.01 |
| Co-pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 5th year of service | $91.45 | $114.31 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 8th year of service | $91.45 | $114.31 |
| Co-pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 3rd year of service | $91.45 | $114.31 |
| Captain — Boeing 737-400 | $92.52 | $115.65 |
| Group 10 (Airbus A319; Airbus 320; Boeing 737-300 and Boeing 737-400) — Captain | $92.52 | $115.65 |
| Captain — Airbus A319 | $92.52 | $115.65 |
| Captain — Boeing 737-300 | $92.52 | $115.65 |
| Captain — Narrow body aircraft | $92.52 | $115.65 |
| Captain — Airbus A320 | $92.52 | $115.65 |
| Narrow body aircraft — Captain | $92.52 | $115.65 |
| Co-pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 4th year of service | $93.30 | $116.63 |
| Co-pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 6th year of service | $93.30 | $116.63 |
| Co-pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 5th year of service | $95.15 | $118.94 |
| Co-pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 7th year of service | $95.15 | $118.94 |
| Co-pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 8th year of service | $96.99 | $121.24 |
| Co-pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 6th year of service | $96.99 | $121.24 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 2nd year of service | $97.64 | $122.05 |
| Co-pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 9th year of service | $98.84 | $123.55 |
| Co-pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 7th year of service | $98.84 | $123.55 |
| Co-pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 8th year of service | $100.48 | $125.60 |
| Step 2: hourly rate | $100.93 | $126.16 |
| Co-pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 9th year of service | $102.53 | $128.16 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 3rd year of service | $103.78 | $129.73 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 1st year of service | $105.01 | $131.26 |
| Wide body aircraft – single deck — Captain | $106.23 | $132.79 |
| Captain — Wide body aircraft–single deck | $106.23 | $132.79 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 2nd year of service | $106.86 | $133.57 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 4th year of service | $110.55 | $138.19 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 5th year of service | $112.39 | $140.49 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 10th year of service | $112.39 | $140.49 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 11th year of service | $114.24 | $142.80 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 6th year of service | $114.24 | $142.80 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 2nd year of service | $115.11 | $143.89 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 12th year of service | $116.08 | $145.10 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 7th year of service | $116.08 | $145.10 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 3rd year of service | $117.64 | $147.05 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 8th year of service | $117.93 | $147.41 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 13th year of service | $117.93 | $147.41 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 9th year of service | $119.78 | $149.73 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 14th year of service | $119.78 | $149.73 |
| Wide body aircraft – double deck — Captain | $119.93 | $149.91 |
| Captain — Wide body aircraft–double deck | $119.93 | $149.91 |
| Pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 1st year of service | $120.11 | $150.14 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 4th year of service | $120.11 | $150.14 |
| Co-pilot — Single Engine - 15th year of service | $121.61 | $152.01 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 10th year of service | $121.61 | $152.01 |
| Pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 2nd year of service | $122.74 | $153.42 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 11th year of service | $123.46 | $154.32 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 12th year of service | $125.30 | $156.63 |
| Pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 3rd year of service | $125.38 | $156.73 |
| Pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 1st year of service | $125.38 | $156.73 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 6th year of service | $125.38 | $156.73 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 13th year of service | $127.15 | $158.94 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 7th year of service | $128.01 | $160.01 |
| Pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 2nd year of service | $128.01 | $160.01 |
| Pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 4th year of service | $128.01 | $160.01 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 14th year of service | $128.99 | $161.24 |
| Pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 3rd year of service | $130.65 | $163.31 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 8th year of service | $130.65 | $163.31 |
| Pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 5th year of service | $130.65 | $163.31 |
| Co-pilot — All other commands - 15th year of service | $130.84 | $163.55 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 1st year of service | $131.04 | $163.80 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 9th year of service | $133.29 | $166.61 |
| Pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 4th year of service | $133.29 | $166.61 |
| Pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 6th year of service | $133.29 | $166.61 |
| Pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 7th year of service | $135.93 | $169.91 |
| Pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 5th year of service | $135.93 | $169.91 |
| Pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 8th year of service | $138.55 | $173.19 |
| Pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 6th year of service | $138.55 | $173.19 |
| Pilot — Twin 0-9000 lbs - 9th year of service | $141.19 | $176.49 |
| Pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 7th year of service | $141.19 | $176.49 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 5th year of service | $141.58 | $176.98 |
| Pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 8th year of service | $143.53 | $179.41 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 1st year of service | $144.21 | $180.26 |
| Pilot — Twin over 9000 lbs - 9th year of service | $146.46 | $183.08 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 2nd year of service | $146.84 | $183.55 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 3rd year of service | $149.48 | $186.85 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 4th year of service | $152.11 | $190.14 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 10th year of service | $154.75 | $193.44 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 5th year of service | $154.75 | $193.44 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 11th year of service | $157.38 | $196.73 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 6th year of service | $157.38 | $196.73 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 7th year of service | $160.01 | $200.01 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 12th year of service | $160.01 | $200.01 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 8th year of service | $162.65 | $203.31 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 13th year of service | $162.65 | $203.31 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 14th year of service | $165.29 | $206.61 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 9th year of service | $165.29 | $206.61 |
| Pilot — Single Engine - 15th year of service | $167.93 | $209.91 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 10th year of service | $167.93 | $209.91 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 11th year of service | $170.56 | $213.20 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 12th year of service | $173.20 | $216.50 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 13th year of service | $175.83 | $219.79 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 14th year of service | $178.46 | $223.08 |
| Pilot — All other commands - 15th year of service | $181.10 | $226.38 |
Aerial Application Operations
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1000 | $25.74 | $32.17 |
| 1001–2000 | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| 2001–3000 | $27.26 | $34.08 |
| Over 3000 | $29.39 | $36.74 |
Helicopter Operations—Aircrew
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Surveillance aircrewperson | $31.13 | $38.91 |
| Rescue aircrewperson | $31.13 | $38.91 |
| Aircrewperson | $32.94 | $41.18 |
| Surveillance mission coordinator | $32.94 | $41.18 |
Source: the Fair Work Commission's published rates. Check them against the award or the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide.
Air Pilots Award: common questions
What is the minimum pay rate under the Air Pilots Award?
From 14 July 2026, the lowest adult classification, 1360 kg – 3359 kg — First Officer/Second Pilot (1Jul24-31Dec24), is $23.46 an hour for full-time and part-time employees and $29.33 an hour for casuals, which includes the casual loading. Higher classifications are paid more; the full table is on this page.
When do Air Pilots Award pay rates change?
The Fair Work Commission reviews minimum wages every year, and new rates usually apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. The rates on this page apply from 14 July 2026.
How do I check a payslip against the Air Pilots Award?
Upload the payslip to FairCheck's free payslip check. It reads the pay lines, confirms the award and classification with you, and shows whether the rates, penalties and super meet this award, with the reasoning for every line.