Qantas Airways (QF) is Australia’s flag carrier, headquartered in Sydney and operating a vast network of domestic and international flights. With major hubs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, the airline serves destinations across Australia, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe.
Qantas places strong emphasis on pilot career progression, seniority-based advancement, and modern fleet operations. As the airline renews its aircraft and responds to global aviation trends, pilot pay, recruitment, and retention remain high priorities.
Qantas Airways Pilot Salary
Representative Photo: Qantas
Qantas Airways First Officer Salary
First officers at Qantas in 2025 typically earn annual salaries starting around AUD 168,000 per year for newer first officers on short-haul aircraft, and rising into the region of AUD 200,000 to AUD 250,000 per year (132,000 to 165,000 USD annually) for those with some seniority or flying larger aircraft.
Entry-level first officers may begin closer to AUD 116,000 to AUD 150,000 per year, depending on fleet, hours, and allowances.
As a first officer accumulates more flight hours, moves onto wide-body or international sectors, or takes on extra duties such as instructor or simulator roles, their total compensation, including allowances, performance pay, and duty premiums, can exceed AUD 300,000 per year.
The higher end of the first officer pay scale is influenced heavily by flying high-demand routes, flight hours, crew credits, and seniority increments.
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Qantas Airways Captain Salary
Captains at Qantas in 2025 receive significantly larger salaries reflecting their command responsibility, aircraft type, and years of service.
On narrow-body domestic fleets, a captain might earn a base salary in the region of AUD 200,000 to AUD 300,000 per year, while on wide-body international fleets commanding aircraft such as the Boeing 787 or Airbus A380, the salary can start around AUD 300,000 per year and extend beyond AUD 400,000 per year in many cases.
In addition to base salary, captains accrue allowances for overseas lay-overs, premium long-haul segments, instructor or examiner duties, and performance increments.
At the senior end of the scale, commanding major aircraft, high-hour rosters and premium routes, total annual compensation can rise towards AUD 500,000 per year or more when all elements are included.
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Photo: Qantas
Benefits Enjoyed by Qantas Airways Pilots
Qantas Airways pilots receive one of the industry’s most attractive sets of perks, which are listed below.
Travel Privileges – Pilots and their immediate family members receive discounted or standby travel on Qantas and partner airlines, making personal and leisure travel significantly more accessible.
Overnight and Layover Allowances – When pilots are rostered on flights that require overnight stays away from their home base, Qantas pays allowances to cover accommodation, meals, and incidental costs associated with layovers.
Health and Retirement Benefits – The airline provides comprehensive medical, dental, and life insurance coverage for pilots and their dependents, as well as strong employer-contributed superannuation (retirement) schemes supporting long-term financial security.
Training and Career Advancement – Pilots have access to upgrade training, simulator sessions, type-rating transitions, and a defined progression path from first officer to captain, enabling continual professional development.
Work-Life Balance Protections – Qantas ensures roster design complies with rest-period regulations and offers bidding systems and seniority privileges so experienced pilots can secure preferred lines, promoting scheduling stability and personal time.
Instructor & Examiner Income Opportunities – Senior pilots may take on instructor or examiner roles, which carry supplemental financial rewards beyond flying duties and enhance career progression.
Wellness and Pilot Support Programmes – Qantas provides wellness initiatives, pilot assistance programmes, and mental health resources, recognising the demands of airline operations and supporting its flight-crew workforce.
Loyalty and Seniority Recognition – Pilots with long service may access additional increments, enhanced rostering privileges, and increased pension benefits as part of recognition for career commitment and seniority within the airline.
Photo: Shared by Qantas
What Aircraft Do Qantas Airways Pilots Fly?
Qantas operates both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft for domestic and international operations. The type of planes in the fleet, along with their numbers, are as follows.
Airbus A321XLR – 2
Airbus A330-200 – 16
Airbus A330-300 – 12
Airbus A380-800 – 10
Boeing 737-800 – 77
Boeing 787-9 – 14
Besides its existing planes, the following are on order too.
Airbus A321XLR – 46
Airbus A330-300 – 1
Airbus A350-1000 – 12
Airbus A350-1000ULR – 12
Boeing 737-800 – 2
Boeing 787-9 – 4
Boeing 787-10 – 8
Photo: Qantas
Requirements to Become a Pilot for Qantas Airways
Qantas pilot candidates must fulfil the following criteria to be considered for vacancies by the carrier.
Applicants must hold a valid Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) or equivalent licence recognised in Australia and meet Qantas’ minimum flight-hour and experience requirements.
Pilots must possess a valid Class 1 medical certificate confirming full physical and mental fitness to operate commercial aircraft.
Applicants must demonstrate advanced proficiency in English (spoken and written) for safe communication with crew and air traffic control.
Candidates must have the legal right to live and work in Australia at the time of application.
Commercial jet experience in multi-crew operations is highly preferred, especially for first officer positions on major fleets.
Applicants should show strong decision-making ability, leadership, teamwork skills, and the ability to perform effectively under operational pressure and changing schedules.
Flexibility to work irregular hours, adaptability to roster changes, and alignment with Qantas’ values of safety, reliability, and customer service are essential.
Successful candidates must embody Qantas’ pilot culture, maintain high professionalism, and support the airline’s operational goals.
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Photo: Qantas
Hiring Process
Qantas has the following steps in its recruitment process for pilots.
Application – Prospective pilots submit an online application via the Qantas careers portal, supplying licence documentation, log-book summaries, a current medical certificate, and a résumé detailing previous experience.
Initial Screening – Qantas’ recruitment team reviews the submission to verify that the candidate meets minimum eligibility criteria, including licence status, medical fitness, and hours flown.
Online Assessments – Short-listed applicants complete aptitude and technical tests assessing aviation knowledge, reasoning skills, and situational awareness appropriate to airline operations.
Simulator Evaluation – Candidates who pass earlier stages are invited to a simulator assessment where their flying skills, decision-making, crew coordination, and scenario response are evaluated.
Interview Stage – Applicants meet senior pilots and human resources staff for interviews focused on operational understanding, communication style, motivation, and cultural fit with Qantas.
Medical & Background Checks – Final candidates must pass a detailed Class 1 medical examination, background screening, and regulatory checks before receiving an official employment offer.
Photo: Qantas
Bottom Line
In 2025, Qantas Airways will offer highly competitive pilot compensation for the Australian aviation market. First officers enjoy strong starting salaries with scope for rapid progression, while captains on major fleets earn significant incomes reflecting their experience, aircraft type, and schedules.
With its large network, modernising fleet and well-established progression structure, Qantas remains a very attractive destination for pilots seeking a rewarding career, operational variety and financial growth.
Representative Photo: Qantas
Qantas Pilots Salary FAQs
How much do Qantas Airways pilots earn?
First officers at Qantas typically earn from around AUD 168,000 per year, while more experienced first officers may reach AUD 250,000+ per year. Captains generally earn from AUD 300,000 per year, and senior international captains can exceed AUD 400,000 or more per year, depending on fleet and duty.
Where are Qantas Airways pilots based?
Pilots are based in major Australian cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, with domestic and international flight rosters managed from these hubs.
Is Qantas Airways hiring pilots in 2025?
Yes. Qantas continues to recruit pilots throughout 2025 to support fleet renewal, retirements and growth. Applicants should monitor the Qantas careers website for openings and eligibility details.
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