Air Force Regulations (Amendment)

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STATUTORY RULES.

1963. No. 117.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE AIR FORCE ACT 1901-1956*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Air Force Act 1923-1956.

Dated this thirty-first

day of October, 1963.

DE L'ISLE

Governor-General.

By His Excellency's Command,

(Sgd.) DAVID FAIRBAIRN

Minister of State for Air.

Amendments of the Air Force Regulations.†

Parts.

1. Regulation 2 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the words—

"Part VIII.—Citizen Air Force—Regulations 443-483."

and inserting in their stead the words—

"Part VIII.—Citizen Air Force—Regulations 443-475.

Part VIIIa.—Air Training Corps—Regulations 480-483.".

Citizen Air Force.

2. Regulation 36 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulation (2.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulation:—

"(2.) The Active Citizen Air Force shall consist of—

(a) officers appointed or transferred to that Force; and

(b) airmen who—

(i) have enlisted or re-engaged to serve in that Force, and who are not bound, except during employment on war service under section 47 of the Defence Act, to continuous air-force service for the term of their enlistment or re-engagement; or

(ii) have enlisted, or are deemed to have been enlisted, under regulation 92a of these Regulations.".

Retiring age.

3. Regulation 88 of the Air Force Regulations is amended

(a) by inserting in the table in sub-regulation (1.), after the words and figure—

" Flight Officer ............................	..	50 ",
the words and figures—
" Flying Officer ............................	45	55 ";

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 1st November, 1963

† Statutory Rules 1927, No. 161, as amended to date. For previous amendments of the Air Force Regulations, see footnote † to Statutory, Rules 1963, No. 63, and see also Statutory Rules 1963, Nos. 63, 64, 76, 91, 114 and 116.

1347/63.—Price 5d. 15/5.8.1963.

(b) by inserting in the table in sub-regulation (1.), after the words and figures—

"Section Officer .........................	..	50",
the words and figures—
"Pilot Officer ..............................	45	55";

and

"(3.) Sub-regulations (1.) and (1a.) of this regulation do not require the compulsory retirement of an officer serving in time of war but an officer so serving—

(a) shall be retired—

(i) in the case of an officer in the Reserve—at the expiration of a period of three months after the end of the war; and

(ii) in any other case—at the expiration of a period of twelve months after the end of the war; and

(b) may be retired by the Governor-General at any time after the officer has attained the age applicable to the officer under sub-regulation (1.) or (1a.), as the case may be, of this regulation.".

Air Cadets.

4. Regulation 97 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the word "College" and inserting in its stead the word "Academy".

Cadets—Citizen Air Force.

5. Regulation 97a of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulations (1.) and (3.) the word "flying".

Service in the Citizen Air Force.

6. Regulation 443 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the word "prescribed" and inserting in its stead the words "determined by the Air Board.".

Leave of absence.

7. Regulation 444 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the words "twelve months" and inserting in their stead the words "two years".

Regulations 449, 450 and 451 repealed.

8. Regulation 449, 450 and 451 of the Air Force Regulations are repealed.

9. Regulation 452 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Requirements for efficiency.

"452.—(1.) Each member of the Active Citizen Air Force shall be classified as efficient or non-efficient at such times and on such basis as the Air Board determines.

"(2.) Where a member of the Active Citizen Air Force is classified as non-efficient under the last preceding sub-regulation, the Air Board may transfer him to the Reserve or—

(a) if he is an officer—terminate his appointment; or

(b) if he is an airman—discharge him.".

Regulation 454 repealed.

10. Regulation 454 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed.

Regulation 459 repealed.

11. Regulation 459 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed.

12. Regulation 461 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Reporting address.

"461. A reservist, not later than the last day of February of each year, shall, by writing, report to the Air Board his address and any particulars required by the Air Board and shall notify, when it occurs, a change of his address".

Regulation 467 repealed.

13. Regulation 467 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed.

14. Regulations 468 and 469 of the Air Force Regulations are repealed and the following regulations inserted in their stead:—

Termination of appointment of officers of the Reserve.

"468.—(1.) The Air Board may terminate the appointment of an officer of the Reserve for any of the following reasons:—

(a) medical unfitness;

(b) misconduct; or

"(2.) An officer who is liable to be enrolled in the Reserve under sub-regulation (2.) of regulation 455, and who is permitted to resign his commission shall be liable to pay the sum of Twenty pounds for each year by which his service in the Reserve falls short of five years, but the liability to pay may be waived by the Air Board.

Service beyond retiring age.

“469. Notwithstanding anything contained in regulation 88, the Air Board may, in a special case when it is of the opinion that it is in the interests of the Service so to do, extend the appointment of an officer of the Reserve who is employed as an instructor in the Air Training Corps beyond the compulsory retiring age relative to members of his rank for a period not exceeding five years.".

Regulations 475-479 repealed.

15. Regulations 475, 476, 477, 478 and 479 of the Air Force Regulations are repealed and the following regulation is inserted in their stead:—

Airmen in aircrew mustering— retiring age and transfer to another mustering.

"475. Notwithstanding anything contained in regulation 118, the age for compulsory retirement of an airman of the Reserve in a aircrew mustering shall be forty-five years, but the airman, on reaching the prescribed retiring age, may—

(a) if he so requests; and

(b) if the Air Board approves,

be transferred to another mustering.".

16. Regulations 480, 481, 482 and 483 of the Air Force Regulations are repealed and the following heading and regulations inserted in their stead:—

"Part VIIIa.—Air Training Corps.

Air Training Corps.

"480.—(1.) There shall be an Air Training Corps, which shall consist of persons under the age of eighteen years who are voluntarily enrolled in the Corps as cadets.

"(2.) Subject to these Regulations, the training and conditions of service of members of the Air Training Corps shall be as the Air Board determines.

Status of Cadets.

"481. A cadet of the Air Training Corps is not an airman within the meaning of these Regulations and a cadet shall not be the superior officer of an airman.

Retirement.

"482. A cadet shall be retired from the Air Training Corps on the thirty-first day of December in the year in which he attains the age of eighteen years.

Intoxicating liquor not to be supplied to Cadets.

"483. A person shall not sell or supply intoxicating liquor to a member of the Air Training Corps while the member is in uniform, except by direction of a medical practitioner.

Penalty: Twenty pounds.".

Commencement, calculation and cessation of pay.

17. Regulation 530 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulation (1.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulations:—

"(1.) On the first appointment or enlistment of a member his pay and allowances shall, subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, commence on the date upon which he commences duty.

"(1a.) The pay and allowances of an officer (not being a graduate of the Air Force Academy) who is granted a commission with the rank of pilot officer while enrolled as a student of medicine at a University shall commence—

(a) on the first day of January that next occurs after he has successfully completed the third year of his medical course; or

(b) on the date of his application for appointment as a pilot officer, whichever last occurs.".

Decorations— monetary grants.

18. Regulation 542a of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulations (2.), (3.) and (4.) and inserting in their stead the following sub-regulation:—

"(2.) A member who has been awarded the Victoria Cross shall be paid a grant at the rate of One hundred and twenty-five pounds per annum.".

Active pay of officers.

19. Regulation 543 of the Air Force Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (3.) the words "Air Force College" and inserting in their stead the words "Air Force Academy";

(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (4.) the words "Air Force College" and inserting in their stead the words "Air Force Academy";

"On date of registration and during one year as resident medical officer in a R.A.A.F. or other hospital approved by the Director-General of Medical Services .. ..

45 4";

and

(d) by inserting after sub-regulation (4.) the following sub-regulation:—

"(4a.) The daily rate of active pay of an officer who—

(a) holds a degree in medicine or surgery of a university approved by the Director-General of Medical Services; and

(b) is appointed as a resident medical officer in a R.A.A.F. or other hospital approved by the Director-General of Medical Services,

shall be Four pounds five shillings and four pence and shall be payable from and including the date determined by the Air Board as the date of appointment of the officer as a resident medical officer to and including the date on which his appointment as a resident medical officer is terminated.".

Pay of air cadets.

20. Regulation 548 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulation (1.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulations:—

"(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, the daily rate of active pay of an air cadet of the Permanent Air Force is the rate specified in relation to his period of training and, where specified, his age in the table in this sub-regulation.

Period of Training and Age.	Rate per Day.
	£	s.	d.
During first-year training—
Under eighteen years of age ......................................		18	3
Eighteen years of age or over .....................................		18	9
During second-year training—
Under eighteen years of age ......................................		19	6
Eighteen years of age or over .....................................	1	0	0
During third-year training .........................................	1	2	3
During fourth-year training ........................................	1	9	4

"(1a.) The daily rate of active pay of an air cadet who is required to repeat the course of training of a year by reason of the fact that he has not successfully completed that training shall be the rate specified in the last preceding sub-regulation in relation to that year of training.".

Pay of airman apprentices.

21. Regulation 551 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by inserting after sub-regulation (1.) the following sub-regulation:—

"(1a.) For the purposes of the last preceding sub-regulation, the weekly rate of active pay of an airman apprentice who is required to repeat the course of training of a year by reason of the fact that he has not successfully completed that training shall be the rate specified in the last preceding sub-regulation in relation to that year of training.".

Allowances for medical and dental officers.

22. Regulation 556c of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the words "sub-regulation (4.) of regulation 543" and inserting in their stead the words "sub-regulations (4.) and (4a.) of regulation 543".

Amendment of the Second Schedule.

23. The Second Schedule to the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting from the table headed (i) Modifications item (r) and inserting in its stead the following item:—

“(r)

190

The provisions of this section shall be read with and subject to the provisions of the Air Force Regulations. Omit from sub-section (23) the words "the Union of South Africa,".

By Authority: A. J. Arthur, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Regulations under the Air Force Act 1923-1956 were enacted in 1963 by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. These regulations aimed to amend existing Air Force Regulations to address various aspects of service within the Australian Air Force, including changes to the Citizen Air Force and the Air Training Corps, modifications to retiring ages and pay, and the establishment of new rules for cadet training and conduct. The primary objective of these amendments was to refine the operational structure and service conditions to better align with contemporary requirements and best practices. The changes introduced by these regulations were designed to ensure that the Air Force maintained a robust and efficient operational capability while addressing the evolving needs of personnel within the service. This included providing clearer guidelines for the Citizen Air Force and the Air Training Corps, adjusting the criteria for efficiency and service conditions, and updating pay scales to reflect changes in training duration and service requirements. By implementing these amendments, the regulations sought to support the Air Force in achieving its policy objectives of maintaining a skilled and dedicated workforce, ensuring operational readiness, and upholding the standards of service and discipline within the Air Force.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Air Force Act 1923-1956 apply to various components of the Australian Defence Force, particularly those associated with the Air Force. These include officers, airmen, cadets, and reservists, with specific provisions for different ranks and roles. The regulations cover conduct, service terms, retirement ages, and conditions of service for these individuals. Geographically, these regulations apply across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Air Board. Certain exclusions and exemptions include officers serving in times of war, who have different retirement provisions, and cadets, who have distinct regulations regarding their status and conduct. The regulations are subject to modification through subordinate instruments, allowing for adjustments to service conditions, pay rates, and other operational details as needed.

Key Provisions

The regulations under the Air Force Act 1923-1956 primarily focus on amendments to the existing Air Force Regulations, particularly concerning the Citizen Air Force, Air Training Corps, and various operational provisions. Regulation 2 amends Part VIII of the Air Force Regulations by removing the previous regulations related to the Citizen Air Force and replacing them with new regulations numbered 443-475. Additionally, it introduces a new Part VIIIa, titled "Air Training Corps," with regulations 480-483. Regulation 36 modifies the composition of the Active Citizen Air Force by specifying that it should consist of officers appointed or transferred to that force and airmen who either enlisted or re-engaged under certain conditions, excluding continuous service unless during wartime. Regulation 88 revises the retiring ages for certain ranks, introducing new age limits for Flight Officers and Flying Officers. Regulations 443 and 444 adjust the criteria for service in the Citizen Air Force and the period for leave of absence, respectively. The regulations also introduce new provisions for the efficiency classification of Citizen Air Force members, with the Air Board having the authority to transfer or terminate appointments based on these classifications. These regulations impose various obligations on the parties involved, including the requirement for Citizen Air Force members to be classified as efficient or non-efficient by the Air Board. If classified as non-efficient, the Air Board can either transfer the member to the Reserve or terminate their appointment or discharge them, depending on their rank. Air Training Corps cadets must be under eighteen years of age and are not considered airmen. Officers of the Reserve can have their appointments terminated for medical unfitness, misconduct, or inefficiency, and there are provisions for extending the service of certain officers beyond their retiring age if it is deemed beneficial to the service. Airman in aircrew musterings have a compulsory retirement age of forty-five, but they may request transfer to another mustering if approved by the Air Board. The regulations also outline the consequences of breaches, including civil penalties. For instance, Regulation 483 imposes a penalty of Twenty Pounds on any person who sells or supplies intoxicating liquor to a member of the Air Training Corps while they are in uniform, except as directed by a medical practitioner. Furthermore, officers of the Reserve who are permitted to resign and have less than five years of service are liable to pay Twenty Pounds for each year their service falls short of five years, although this liability may be waived by the Air Board. These provisions ensure compliance and maintain the operational integrity of the Air Force.

Area of Law: Military Law
Instrument: Regulation
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Licensing & Registration; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Retirement; Pay & Allowances

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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