It pays to fly Army

Volume 11, No. 39, March 23, 2006

Pay rise: Aircrew will be getting a 15 per cent flying allowance increase. Photo by LS Bill Louys.

OTHER ranks aircrew will benefit from a decision by the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) that increases the Qualification and Skill element of their Flying Allowance by 15 per cent.

The decision, handed down on February 20, also adds a sixth tier at the 10-year mark for these ranks.

As well as the increase in qualification and skill payments, the DFRT has increased the disability element of Flying Allowance for all members below the rank of colonel (E) by 5.7 per cent.
RAAF Crew Attendants and qualified Navy CSO Fighter Controllers also benefited as they will now receive Flying Allowance.

Some changes were also made to Flying Allowance for officers below the rank of brigadier (E). The sunset period for these ranks has been reduced to three years, making it the same as the sunset period for other ranks and brigadier (E). A transition arrangement over the next six years will ensure that current members are not disadvantaged.

This change also aligns Flying Allowance with other qualification and skills allowances such as Special Forces or Submarine Allowance. This will allow the Qualification and Skill element of Flying Allowance to be rolled into core pay for officers and WO1 (E) later this year as part of the Remuneration Reform Project.

All these changes came into effect on February 20. There will be a delay as pay systems are updated, but members will not suffer as their pay will be backdated (including the effect of the March 9 pay increase).

For more information, see the Defence Pay and Conditions Website:
DEFWEB: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/pac
Internet: http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac