Qantas pilots query ‘special deal’ allowing airline to hire foreign pilots

Qantas pilots have questioned a deal that smooths the way for the hiring of foreign pilots with the offer of permanent residency.

A Qantas pilot. Picture Chris Pavlich

Qantas pilots have questioned an agreement struck by the airline with the federal government, that smooths the way for the recruitment of foreign pilots with the promise of permanent residency.

The agreement will allow QantasLink to bring in 76 pilots and instructors for up to four years, after which time they can seek to remain in Australia.

Other foreign workers entering Australia on skilled work visas are restricted to a two year stay that blocks permanent residency.

Australian and International Pilots Association president Murray Butt said AIPA rejected the assertion there were insufficient numbers of Australian candidates to fill the positions.

“Qantas should not have been granted a special deal to hire foreign pilots, before properly testing the labour market,” Captain Butt said.

“If there is a real pilot shortage of Australian applicants and AIPA seriously doubts that is the case, it has come about because aviation employers have sat on their hands and done nothing to address the impending supply side problem.

“Collectively, they have made aviation a relatively unattractive career.”

He said it was AIPA’s view, the deal to recruit foreign pilots for four years was “little more than a smoke screen to keep pilot salaries as low as possible”.

“Our biggest concern is they’re trying to subsidise low wages with Australian residency, and we shouldn’t be trying to sell off Australian residency,” Capt Butt said.

Qantas (QAN) sought the deal from government after having difficulty attracting experienced aviators on two year contracts.

A Qantas spokeswoman said the airline’s focus “had always been to recruit Australian-based pilots and that hasn’t changed”.

“This agreement allows us to temporarily bring in a limited number of simulator instructors and experienced pilots from overseas to support one of the biggest training programs we have done in our history,” she said.

Since 2016, Qantas has hired over 600 new pilots in Australia with ongoing recruitment set to add another 350 by the end of this year.

The Australian understands the starting salary for Qantas pilots is $90,000, and eligible senior pilots will be required to meet the same capability standards as existing pilots.