Pilots Award [MA000046]

This page is a summary of who the Pilots Award covers and doesn’t cover. Find a copy of the award at Pilots Award.

Learn how to calculate pay rates and check entitlements from Find pay rates and entitlements.

On this page:

Who the Pilots Award covers

The Pilots Award covers air pilots, helicopter aircrew and their employers.

A pilot means someone who holds a commercial pilot's licence or airline transport pilot's licence. It includes pilots operating overseas from a base within Australia on behalf of the operator.

The term pilot includes a check pilot, training pilot, first officer and second officer.

Helicopter aircrew includes:

  • surveillance aircrewperson
  • rescue aircrewperson
  • surveillance mission coordinator
  • aircrewperson
  • line training aircrewperson
  • check and training aircrewperson
  • chief aircrewperson.

The Pilots Award covers:

  • pilots working in airlines and general aviation, regional airlines, aerial application operations and helicopter operations
  • employees other than pilots employed as aircrew in helicopter operations.

The Pilots Award also covers labour-hire businesses and their employees who:

  • are covered by the classifications in the award
  • are working for an employer who is not covered by another award that has a classification that is more appropriate.

Check the award for full information on who is covered and the classification descriptions.

Source reference: Air Pilots Award [MA000046] clauses 2, 4 and schedules A, B, C and D

Who the Pilots Award doesn't cover

The following employers and employees are not covered by the Pilots Award:

  • pilots or helicopter aircrew covered by another award that covers the work they do
  • in-flight catering businesses and their employees
  • aircraft cabin crew
  • airport ground staff
  • medical practitioners
  • ambulance and patient transport employees.

Check the award for full information on coverage and classifications.

Source reference: Air Pilots Award [MA000046] clauses 2, 4 and schedule A, B, C and D

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