Pay & Allowances

Graduate

Salary on joining the Air Force will be $50,754 per year ($1,947 per fortnight).*

Uniform Allowance at a rate of $682 per year ($26 per fortnight) is paid to assist members to maintain an approved scale of uniforms in good order and condition.

Service Allowance at the rate of $11,355 per year ($435 per fortnight) is paid to compensate for the unique requirements that service life may impose on an individual and his or her family.

Salary will continue to increase based on rank and the number of years of service completed in that rank. Refer to the Salary Scales for further details.

* Please note that these figures do not include compulsory deductions for taxation; meals, accommodation and utilities (as applicable); or superannuation.

Undergraduate

First year of training: $26,211 per year ($1,005 per fortnight).*

Second year of training: $30,976 per year ($1,188 per fortnight).*

Third year of training: $35,742 per year ($1,371 per fortnight).*

Fourth year of training: $40,508 per year ($1,554 per fortnight).*

To assist you in maintaining your uniforms in good order and condition, you will also receive a Uniform Allowance of $419 per year ($16 per fortnight). This increases to $682 per year ($26 per fortnight) after commissioning.

Salary (excluding allowances) on completion of military and employment training will be:

$50,754 per year ($1,947 per fortnight).*

In addition to your salary, you will also receive Service Allowance of $11,355 per year ($435 per fortnight) which is paid once you have completed your tertiary studies and Employment training to compensate for the unique requirements that service life may impose on you or your family.

Salary after completion of undergraduate sponsorship will continue to increase based on rank and the number of years of service completed in that rank. Refer to the Salary Scales for further details.

Trainees with dependants may be entitled to Trainee's Dependant Allowance which is paid to enable trainees with dependants to receive a salary not less than $39,003 per year ($1,496 per fortnight) while training. Conditions apply. Speak to your Careers Counsellor for details.

* Note: These figures do not include compulsory deductions for taxation; meals, accommodation and utilities (as applicable); or superannuation.

Specialist Reserve

Members of the Specialist Reserve on part-time service are paid at a daily rate of pay which is tax-free. Salary will continue to increase based on rank and the number of years of service completed in that rank.

Daily rates of pay for commissioned Air Force Specialist Reserve Officers commence at $139.05 but vary according to profession and rank.

In addition to your salary, a Service Allowance of $11.72 per day is payable to compensate for the unique demands of Reserve Service.

Refer to the Salary Scales for further details.