What do pilots earn in Australia? (Quick answer)
Commercial pilots typically earn $70,000–$120,000 AUD as a First Officer, rising to $250,000–$450,000+ as a senior Captain at a major airline. Cadets and new CPL holders generally start at $55,000–$75,000, depending on the employer and aircraft type.
Figures below are in AUD and reflect current 2026 reporting. We keep this Remitly guide updated with sourced pay ranges.
TL;DR: quick pay ranges
- Starting salary (cadet or new CPL holder): $55,000–$75,000 AUD
- Mid-career First Officer: $70,000–$120,000 AUD
- Senior Captain at a major airline: $250,000–$450,000+ AUD
- Biggest pay drivers: airline size, aircraft type, seniority, and enterprise agreement terms
Pilot salary in Australia by career stage
The Air Pilots Award 2020, administered by the Fair Work Commission, sets the minimum pay floor, and enterprise agreements at the major airlines pay well above it. FIFO charter and regional RPT flying generally sit toward the lower end of the ranges below, while major trunk routes at Qantas and Virgin Australia sit toward the top.
| Stage | Typical role | AUD salary range | Notes |
| Entry | Cadet / new CPL holder | $55,000–$75,000 | Often a second-officer or cadet First Officer role; varies by cadet programme and aircraft type |
| Early-career | First Officer, regional carrier | $70,000–$95,000 | Regional RPT and charter roles often sit at this end of the range |
| Mid-career | First Officer, major airline | $95,000–$120,000 | Reflects Qantas and Virgin Australia enterprise agreement scales above the Award floor |
| Senior | Captain, regional carrier | $150,000–$220,000 | Command roles carry seniority-based pay steps set by the enterprise agreement |
| Senior | Captain, major airline | $250,000–$450,000+ | Long-haul international command, at the top of major airline enterprise agreements |
First Officer vs. Captain: How big is the pay gap?
At a major Australian carrier, a Captain’s pay can be several times a First Officer’s, driven mostly by seniority and aircraft command rather than a fixed formula.
At Qantas or Virgin Australia, First Officers typically sit in the $70,000–$120,000 range, while Captains on the same fleet types can earn $250,000–$450,000 or more; regional carriers follow a similar shape at lower figures.
Pay scales come from enterprise agreements negotiated with pilot associations such as the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) and the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP), so progression follows agreed seniority steps, not individual merit.
Factors that affect pilot salaries in Australia
A handful of factors explain most of the difference between one pilot’s pay and another’s:
- Aircraft type endorsement: type ratings for wide-body or complex jets sit in a higher pay band
- Domestic vs international routes: international and long-haul flying generally pays more than short domestic sectors
- Regional vs metro base: capital-city major-airline roles tend to pay more, though FIFO rosters can offset this with allowances
- Employer type: RPT airlines, charter operators, corporate flight departments, and aeromedical services like the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) sit on different pay scales
- Superannuation: from 1 July 2025, employers contribute a minimum of 12% Superannuation Guarantee on top of salary, so your total remuneration (see how superannuation works in Australia) runs higher than the base figure alone
How to become a pilot in Australia: licences, costs, and timeline
Getting to a First Officer seat runs through four CASA licence levels; our guide to how to become a pilot in Australia covers the application process in more detail:
- Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL): around 25 hours of flight time, the first formal licence most trainees earn
- Private Pilot Licence (PPL): a minimum of 40 hours, though most students need closer to 55–60
- Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL): 150 hours (integrated course) or 200 hours (non-integrated); typically costs $80,000–$120,000+ depending on the flight school
- Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL): 1,500 hours total, the benchmark most airlines look for before First Officer hiring
Cadet programmes such as the Qantas Group Pilot Academy offer a structured route from zero hours to airline-ready, though places are competitive.
Job outlook for pilots in Australia in 2026
Yes, pilots remain in demand, supported by an ageing workforce and airlines rebuilding cadet pipelines after the pandemic. Jobs and Skills Australia’s 2025 Occupation Shortage List (released in October 2025) rates Aeroplane Pilot as in national shortage and in shortage in every state and territory.
Regional aviation has also stabilised: Rex (Regional Express) entered voluntary administration in 2024, was acquired by Air T, exited administration in December 2025, and continues operating its regional network.
ICAO Annex 1, which Australia follows, caps pilots at 65 for multi-crew international operations, so retirements will keep opening First Officer and Captain roles. Our broader aviation career paths in Australia overview covers training routes beyond the airline path.
Frequently asked questions about pilot salaries in Australia
What’s the average pilot salary in Australia in 2026?
Pay depends heavily on career stage: new CPL holders typically start around $55,000–$75,000 AUD, First Officers earn $70,000–$120,000, and senior Captains at major airlines can reach $250,000–$450,000 or more.
How much does a First Officer earn at Qantas?
First Officer pay at major carriers like Qantas generally falls within the $70,000–$120,000 AUD range, set through enterprise agreements above the Air Pilots Award 2020 floor and rising with aircraft type and seniority.
What’s the starting salary for a new CPL holder?
New Commercial Pilot Licence holders typically start around $55,000–$75,000 AUD, often in a cadet or second-officer role, before building the hours needed for a First Officer seat.
What superannuation do pilots get in Australia?
Pilots receive the same Superannuation Guarantee as other Australian employees, a minimum of 12% of ordinary earnings from 1 July 2025, paid on top of salary, whether they fly for a major airline or a smaller operator.
How long does it take to become a commercial pilot in Australia?
Most trainees reach CPL level in around two to three years of full-time training, then spend more time building hours toward the 1,500-hour ATPL benchmark most airlines require.
Is a pilot career financially worthwhile in Australia?
Training costs are high, often $80,000–$120,000 or more for a CPL, but pay grows quickly once you’re flying for an airline, with senior Captains among the higher earners in Australian aviation.
Conclusion and key takeaways
Pilot pay in Australia climbs steadily from a modest cadet salary to some of the highest earnings in any Australian profession, with the biggest jumps tied to seniority and aircraft command, not qualifications alone.
If flying brings you to Australia from overseas, our guide to working in Australia covers visas, tax, and settling in, and if you’re supporting family back home while you train, our guide to sending money internationally can help.
Key takeaways
- First Officer pay typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 AUD, rising to $250,000–$450,000+ for senior Captains at major airlines
- The Air Pilots Award 2020 sets the minimum pay floor for covered pilots; enterprise agreements at major carriers pay well above it
- Reaching a First Officer seat generally requires an Air Transport Pilot Licence and around 1,500 flight hours
- Regional aviation is stabilising: Rex exited administration in December 2025 under new ownership and continues flying its network
- Total remuneration includes superannuation, a minimum of 12% of earnings from 1 July 2025, on top of base salary
Last reviewed: September 2026.
