Changes To The Air Pilots Award 2020

The Fair Work Commission has recently clarified the way some Award provisions apply, and made minor amendments to the Air Pilots Award itself.

What Are The Changes?

• The year of the Award has changed from 2010 to 2020. It is now called the Air Pilots Award 2020.
• Our Pay Rate Schedule has been updated to reflect the new 2020 version of the Award. Some rates of pay may have change by one to four cents.
• Where an employee is being paid above the Award rate, you must continue to pay the higher rate when that employee goes on a period of paid annual leave.
• Annual leave must be taken at a time mutually agreed between the employee and the employer. It is no longer at a time fixed by the employer.
• A new excessive leave accruals clause allows an employer to direct an employee to take leave if they have over 84 days of annual leave. This is subject to special conditions.
• Payment for additional qualifications has been varied for pilots in Helicopter Operations who are required to hold an instrument flying rating.
• An employer and a pilot can enter into an agreement, which will allow the employer to recover training costs if the pilot ceases to be employed. This is subject to special conditions.
• A number aircrafts types have been changed or replaced. Including the
  • Beechcraft 55 and 58
  • Beecherall 58 and 65 and
  • Aero Commander 680 and 690.
• New rates of pay for regional airlines, relating to the
  • ATR 42-300
  • Fokker 50, 70 and 100
  • Bae-146
  • Embraer 190/195
  • Airbus A319 and A320 and
  • Boeing 737-300 and 737-400.

 What Do I Need To Do?

• Check your rates of pay to ensure you are meeting your minimum pay obligations.
• If you pay above the award, you should continue to pay employees their ordinary rate when they take paid annual leave.
• If you need to set up an agreement to recoup training costs from pilots if they leave employment, Employsure recommends you contact a workplace relations expert to assist you.

How Can Employsure Help Me?

Not a client? If you need help understanding and implementing these changes, please contact Employsure on 1300 651 415 and we can give you free, initial advice on this topic. If you’d like more help implementing these changes in your business and are interested in ongoing support, Employsure can help you.

Employsure clients affected by the changes to the Air Pilots Award have been notified of these changes by email. Get in contact with Employsure if you have any trouble understanding or implementing these changes.