THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science
Monday, 17 August 2009
036/2009
NEW ADF OFFICER AVIATION REMUNERATION STRUCTURE
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science today announced that
the independent Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal had approved a new remuneration
structure for Australian Defence Force officer aircrew and air traffic control officers.
“Remuneration outcomes are an important component of the total employment package
provided for the men and women of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) who have chosen to
serve their country,” Mr Combet said.
“The new Officer Aviation Remuneration Structure (OARS) introduces a flexible remuneration
system that ensures this specialist military workforce of over 2,000 members receives
comparable pay for comparable work against the aviation industry benchmark.”
“The ADF is currently facing the greatest capability acquisition program in its history and this
leading-edge remuneration system for officer aircrew and air traffic control officers will go a
long way to safeguard Defence’s substantial investment in this workforce.”
Mr Combet said that the major capability growth within Defence is in the acquisition of new
aircraft for the Navy, Army and Air Force. Successful introduction into service of these
systems will result in unprecedented air power capability for the ADF.
“Critical to the success of these acquisition programs is a dedicated and experienced
workforce that can not only continue to deliver capability, but also manage and contribute to
complex transition programs involving state-of-the art technologies."
“The Government recognises the need for highly-skilled and experienced aircrew and air
traffic control officers to ensure the successful introduction of these new capabilities,”
Mr Combet said.
“Aircrew and air traffic control skills are only accumulated over years of training, at significant
expense to Defence, and are highly sought by industry.”
“The new structure remunerates these aviation specialists appropriately and offers career and
other incentives to encourage them to continue serving in the ADF.”
Mr Combet said that the OARS was the final element of a major overhaul of the total ADF
remuneration system that started in 2002.
“The ADF now has a contemporary remuneration base on which to grow the ADF and help
meet military capability needs."
Please note Defence Media has a new phone number: 02 6127 1999.
The existing number will be automatically diverted to the new number for three months. The
existing after-hours duty mobile 0408 498 664 will remain.
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):
02 6277 4771 or 0458 276 619
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
