Air Pilots 2025 Pay Rates (MA000046)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Air Pilots covers pilots employed in commercial aviation, including airline pilots, regional airline pilots, charter pilots, aerial application (crop dusting) pilots, and helicopter pilots. If you fly aircraft commercially as an employee, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 10,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover military pilots, recreational pilots, cabin crew (Aircraft Cabin Crew Award, MA000047), or ground staff (Airline Operations -- Ground Staff Award, MA000048). See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

The award has separate classification structures for different types of flying operations: airlines/general aviation, regional airlines, aerial application operations, on-shore helicopter operations, and off-shore helicopter operations. Each has its own rate structure.

Key features of this award

Pilot pay structures are unique, with some sectors paying per flying hour and others paying minimum daily or hourly rates. Aerial application pilots may be paid per flying hour, while airline pilots receive minimum hourly rates. Casual helicopter aircrew have specific overtime provisions.

Classification Levels and Base Rates

All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.

Refer to the Fair Work Commission pay guide for MA000046 for current dollar amounts for each classification level. Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38. Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25.

Penalty Rates

Penalty rate multipliers from the Fair Work Commission penalty rate schedule for MA000046. All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.

The award specifies penalty rates ranging from 100% to 225% depending on when and how you work.

Full-Time and Part-Time Employees

Casual Employees

Penalty rate categories in this award

The following penalty rate descriptions apply under MA000046:

• $ per flying hour
• Minimum daily rate
• Minimum hourly rate
• Ordinary hourly rate
• Overtime – after 2 hours
• Overtime – first 2 hours

Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. Refer to the specific award clauses for exact percentages applicable to each classification level and employment type.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Casual worker on a Sunday

A casual employee working a N/A (varies by sector)-hour minimum shift on a Sunday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000046 pay guide
• Sunday casual rate: base rate x Sunday casual penalty percentage
• Minimum payment: Sunday casual rate x N/A (varies by sector) hours
• Clause reference: refer to casual penalty rates clause

Example 2: Full-time worker on a public holiday

A full-time employee working an 8-hour public holiday shift.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000046 pay guide
• Public holiday rate: base rate x public holiday percentage (up to 225%)
• Total: public holiday rate x 8 hours
• Clause reference: refer to public holiday clause

Example 3: Part-time worker with overtime

A part-time employee who works 2 hours beyond their rostered hours on a weekday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000046 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How are aerial application pilots paid?

Aerial application (crop dusting) pilots may be paid per flying hour, with minimum daily rates applying. The rate per flying hour varies by classification level.

2. Do helicopter pilots get overtime?

Yes, casual helicopter aircrew have specific overtime provisions. Overtime is paid after the first 2 hours at time-and-a-half, with higher rates for subsequent hours.

3. What about regional airline pilots?

Regional airline pilots have a separate classification structure with specific minimum hourly rates reflecting the nature of regional flying operations.

4. What is the minimum shift length under this award?

The minimum engagement for casual and part-time employees is N/A (varies by sector) per shift. Even if you are sent home early, you must be paid for the minimum shift length.

5. How do I check my exact pay rate?

Use our free calculator or refer to the Fair Work Commission pay guide for MA000046. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in aviation and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.

Check your pay rate now

Select your flying sector, classification level, and employment type.

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Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "Air Pilots MA000046 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification levels and penalty rates for commercial pilots across airlines, charter, and aerial work under the Air Pilots"
• temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Air Pilots (MA000046)

Rates current as of 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission, CC BY 4.0. This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. Always verify rates against the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) at calculate.fairwork.gov.au.