Pay & Allowances
Graduate
Salary on joining the Air Force will be $55,564 per year ($2,131 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.
In addition to your salary, you will receive Service Allowance of $12,431 per year ($477 per fortnight) except while undertaking Military (Initial) or Employment training. This allowance compensates a member 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
With 4 years to graduation: $28,696 per year ($1,101 per fortnight).*
With 3 years to graduation: $33,913 per year ($1,301 per fortnight).*
With 2 years to graduation: $39,131 per year ($1,501 per fortnight).*
In final year: $44,348 per year ($1,701 per fortnight).*
To assist you in maintaining your uniforms in good order and condition, you will 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:
$55,564 per year ($2,131 per fortnight).*
In addition to your salary, you will also receive Service Allowance of $12,431 per year ($477 per fortnight) except while undertaking Academic, Military (Initial) or Employment training. This allowance compensates a member for the unique requirements that service life may impose on an individual and his or her family.
Your salary will continue to increase based on your rank and the number of years of service completed in that rank. Your pay grade may increase following the acquisition of additional skills and completion of further training. 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 $42,699 per year ($1,638 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 $152.23 but vary according to profession and rank.
In addition to your salary, a Reserve Allowance of $12.83 per day is payable to compensate for the unique demands of Reserve Service.
Refer to the Salary Scales for further details.
