What base pay do Virgin Australia pilots receive?

The deal recommended in September 2024 would give a 15 per cent pay rise in the first year, followed by a further three per cent in each of the next two years, Travel Weekly reported. Captain base pay would go from AUD 239,488 to AUD 281,750 after the first rise and AUD 298,908.58 after the final increase. First officer base pay would go from AUD 155,667 to AUD 194,290 over the three years. The TWU describes the revised agreement that pilots approved in October 2024 as delivering pay increases of up to 21% on base salary over three years. Virgin Australia's recruitment site does not list pay rates; it refers applicants to the enterprise agreement, still naming the 2021 agreement.125

How was the 2024 agreement reached?

In July 2024, 61% of voting pilots rejected a first proposal on a 98% turnout, after the TWU pilots committee had declined to endorse it because it removed six days off a year. Following assisted bargaining at the Fair Work Commission, 75% of pilots voted for a revised agreement in October 2024. The AFAP says it has more than 850 members at Virgin Australia and that the 15 months of negotiations were led by the AFAP. According to Travel Weekly in September 2024, pilots gave up six designated days off a year, from 156 to 150, in exchange for the pay increases, and they also receive six weeks of annual leave each year.1234

What does Virgin Australia offer beyond base pay?

Virgin Australia advertises a minimum of 11 rostered days off per 28 day roster period and roster options of full time, 75% or 50% of a full-time pilot. Paid employment starts on the first day of training, while relocation costs are at the pilot's own expense. Around the June 2025 stock market listing, the AFAP said an employee share scheme would see pilots receive $3000 worth of share rights. Pilots are based in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or hold Australian permanent residency, and a Boeing 737 first officer needs at least 500 hours total flight time among other requirements.45

What do pilots say about rosters?

In a TWU survey of 180 Virgin pilots in May 2024, 85% said the roster optimisation system affects their fatigue management and 82% said it affects family life.6