Air Force Regulations (Amendment)

Administered by Department of Defence

Legislation au F1997B00639 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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Statutory Rules 1972 No. 144(g)

Active pay of officers.

1.—(1.) Regulation 543 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (1.) and inserting in its stead the following table:—

Rank and service	Rate per day
Group Captain—	$
On appointment.................................................	31.46
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	33.25
Wing Commander—
On appointment.................................................	28.18
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	29.68
Squadron Leader—
On appointment.................................................	22.97
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	24.20
After 2 years’ service in rank.........................................	25.44
After 3 years’ service in rank.........................................	26.67
Flight Lieutenant—
On appointment.................................................	16.94
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	17.90
After 2 years’ service in rank.........................................	18.86
After 3 years’ service in rank.........................................	19.82
After 4 years’ service in rank.........................................	20.78
After 5 years’ service in rank.........................................	21.74
Flying Officer—
On appointment.................................................	13.31
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	14.20
After 2 years’ service in rank.........................................	15.09
After 3 years’ service in rank.........................................	15.98
Pilot Officer....................................................	12.42

(2.) Regulation 543 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (2.) and inserting in its stead the following table:—

Rank and service	Rate per day
Flight Lieutenant—	$
On appointment.................................................	20.30
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	20.78
After 3 years’ service in rank.........................................	21.26
After 5 years’ service in rank.........................................	21.74
Flying Officer—
On appointment.................................................	18.38
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	18.86
After 2 years’ service in rank.........................................	19.34
After 3 years’ service in rank.........................................	19.82
Pilot Officer....................................................	17.42

(3.) Regulation 543 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (3.) and inserting in its stead the following table:—

(g) Made under the Air Force Act 1923-1965 on 24 August 1972; notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 31 August 1972.

Course of study and stage reached	Rate per day
Science, Engineering, Dental or Education Students—	$
During second-year study of any course other than a five-year course..............	5.66
During third-year study of a five-year course..............................	5.66
During third-year study of a four-year course..............................	6.03
During fourth-year study of a five-year course.............................	6.03
During final year study of any course...................................	6.40
Medical Students.................................................	6.40

(4.) Regulation 543 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (4.) the words “Sixteen dollars sixty-six cents” and inserting in their stead the words “Sixteen dollars ninety-four cents”.

(5.) Regulation 543 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (7.) and inserting in its stead the following table:—

Rank and service	Rate per day
Squadron Leader—	$
On appointment.................................................	27.81
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	28.97
After 2 years’ service in rank.........................................	30.50
After 3 years’ service in rank.........................................	31.66
Flight Lieutenant—
On appointment.................................................	21.80
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	22.73
After 2 years’ service in rank.........................................	23.66
After 3 years’ service in rank.........................................	24.58
After 4 years’ service in rank.........................................	25.51
After 5 years’ service in rank.........................................	26.66

(6.) Regulation 543 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (7a.) and inserting in its stead the following table:—

Rank and service	Rate per day
Group Captain—	$
On appointment.................................................	25.09
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	26.52
Wing Commander—
On appointment.................................................	22.46
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	23.67
Squadron Leader—
On appointment.................................................	18.30
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	19.29
After 2 years’ service in rank.........................................	20.27
After 3 years’ service in rank.........................................	21.26
Flight Lieutenant—
On appointment.................................................	13.48
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	14.25
After 2 years’ service in rank.........................................	15.01
After 3 years’ service in rank.........................................	15.78
After 4 years’ service in rank.........................................	16.55
After 5 years’ service in rank.........................................	17.31
Flying Officer—
On appointment.................................................	10.57
After 1 year’s service in rank.........................................	11.29
After 2 years’ service in rank.........................................	12.00
After 3 years’ service in rank.........................................	12.71
Pilot Officer....................................................	9.86

(7.) Regulation 543 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (8.) and inserting in its stead the following table:—

Length of service	Rate per day
	$
Less than 1 year.................................................	16.94
Not less than 1 but less than 2 years....................................	17.90
Not less than 2 but less than 3 years....................................	18.86
Not less than 3 but less than 4 years....................................	19.82
Not less than 4 but less than 6 years....................................	20.78
Not less than 6 but less than 8 years....................................	21.74
Not less than 8 but less than 10 years...................................	22.61
Not less than 10 but less than 12 years..................................	23.49
Not less than 12 but less than 14 years..................................	24.37
Not less than 14 but less than 16 years..................................	25.25
Not less than 16 but less than 18 years..................................	26.12
Not less than 18 but less than 20 years..................................	27.00
Not less than 20 but less than 22 years..................................	27.88
Not less than 22 years.............................................	28.75

(8.) Regulation 543 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (8a.) the words “Twenty-nine dollars forty cents” and inserting in their stead the words “Twenty-nine dollars sixty-eight cents”.

(9.) Regulation 543 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (9.) and inserting in its stead the following table:—

Rank and service	Rate per day
	$
Group Officer—
On appointment.................................................	25.09
After 1 year’s service in rank........................................	26.52
Wing Officer—
On appointment.................................................	22.46
After 1 year’s service in rank........................................	23.67
Squadron Officer—
On appointment.................................................	18.30
After 1 year’s service in rank........................................	19.29
After 2 years’ service in rank........................................	20.27
After 3 years’ service in rank........................................	21.26
Flight Officer—
On appointment.................................................	13.48
After 1 year’s service in rank........................................	14.25
After 2 years’ service in rank........................................	15.01
After 3 years’ service in rank........................................	15.78
After 4 years’ service in rank........................................	16.55
After 5 years’ service in rank........................................	17.31
Section Officer—
On appointment.................................................	10.57
After 1 year’s service in rank........................................	11.29
After 2 years’ service in rank........................................	12.00
After 3 years’ service in rank........................................	12.71

(10.) Regulation 543 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (10.) and inserting in its stead the following table:—

Rank and service	Rate per day
	$
Squadron Officer—
On appointment.................................................	27.81
After 1 year’s service in rank........................................	28.97
After 2 years’ service in rank........................................	30.50
After 3 years’ service in rank........................................	31.66
Flight Officer—
On appointment.................................................	21.80
After 1 year’s service in rank........................................	22.73
After 2 years’ service in rank........................................	23.66
After 3 years’ service in rank........................................	24.58
After 4 years’ service in rank........................................	25.51
After 5 years’ service in rank........................................	26.66

Consolidated rates of pay.

2.—(1.) Regulation 544 of the Air Force Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the words “Eighteen thousand eight hundred and ninety-one dollars” and inserting in their stead the words “Eighteen thousand nine hundred and ninety-five dollars”; and

(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the words “Fifteen thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine dollars” and inserting in their stead the words “Fifteen thousand nine hundred and eighty-three dollars”.

(2.) Regulation 544 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (3.) and inserting in its stead the following table:—

Rank	Consolidated rate per year
	$
Air Commodore..................................................	17,489
Group Captain...................................................	15,638
Wing Commander.................................................	14,468

(3.) Regulation 544 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (4.) and inserting in its stead the following table: —

Rank	Consolidated rate per year
	$
Group Officer....................................................	15,638
Wing Officer....................................................	14,468

Pay of air cadets.

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

Stage of training		Rate per day
		$
During first-year training............................................		5.29
During second-year training..........................................		5.66
During third-year training............................................		6.03
During fourth-year training...........................................		6.40

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

Length of course and stage of training	Rate per day
	$
Four-year course—
During first-year training...........................................	4.31
During second-year training.........................................	5.29
During third-year training..........................................	5.66
During fourth-year training.........................................	6.03
Three-year course—
During first-year training..........................................	5.29
During second-year training.........................................	5.66
During third-year training..........................................	6.03

Pay of members holding the rank of Corporal or a lower rank.

4.—(1.) Regulation 549 of the Air Force Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting sub-regulation (2.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulation:—

“(2.) The daily rate of active pay of—

(a) a male airman of the Permanent Air Force holding the rank of Aircraftman (Recruit); or

(b) an airwoman of the Permanent Air Force holding rank of Aircraftwoman (Recruit),

is Six dollars seventy-five cents.”; and

(b) by omitting sub-regulation (4.).

Pay of Warrant Officers, Plight Sergeants and Sergeants.

5. Regulation 549a of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (1.) and inserting in its stead the following table:—

Rank	Mate airman—scale of rates per day in dollars	Airwoman—scale of rates per day in dollars
1. Warrant Officer......................................	(a) 18.32	(a) 17.11
	(b) 19.28	(b) 17.87
2. Flight Sergeant......................................	(a) 13.80	(a) 13.49
	(b) 14.69	(b) 14.20
	(c) 15.58	(c) 14.91
	(d) 16.48
	(e) 17.37
3. Sergeant...........................................	(a) 8.57	(a) 8.25
	(b) 9.39	(b) 9.08
	(c) 10.27	(c) 9.96
	(d) 11.16	(d) 10.84
	(e) 12.04	(e) 11.72
	(f) 12.92	(f) 12.60
	(g) 13.80	(g) 13.49

Pay of airmen apprentices.

6. Regulation 551 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (1.) and inserting in its stead the following table:—

Stage of training	Rate per day
	$
During first-year training............................................	2.16
During second-year training..........................................	2.75
During third-year training............................................	4.85
During fourth-year training...........................................	6.13

Rates of travelling allowance.

7.—(1.) Regulation 578 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (1a.) the words “Twenty-eight dollars” and inserting in their stead the words “Thirty-four dollars”.

(2.) The rate of travelling allowance specified in sub-regulation (1a.) of regulation 578 of the Air Force Regulations as amended by these Regulations applies to and in relation to absence of the Chairman, Chiefs of Staffs Committee, or the Chief of the Air Staff on duty, as provided in that sub-regulation, on the seventeenth day of May, 1972, or any subsequent day.

Fifth Schedule.

8. The Fifth Schedule to the Air Force Regulations is repealed and the following Schedule inserted in its stead:—

THE FIFTH SCHEDULE

Regulation 549 (1.).

Rates of Active Pay of Male Airmen Holding Certain Ranks

Rank	Daily rates of active pay in dollars
Rank	Pay level 1	Pay level 2	Pay level 3	Pay level 4	Pay level 5	Pay level 6
Corporal.............	7.88	8.71	9.59	10.47	11.35	12.23
Leading Aircraftman.....	7.32	8.15	9.03	9.91	10.79	11.67
Aircraftman...........	6.99	7.82	8.70	9.58	10.46	11.34

Sixth Schedule.

9. The Sixth Schedule to the Air Force Regulations is repealed and the following Schedule inserted in its stead:—

THE SIXTH SCHEDULE

Regulation 549 (3.).

Rates of Active Pay of Airwomen Holding Certain Ranks

Rank	Daily rates or active pay in dollars
Rank	Pay level 1	Pay level 2	Pay level 3	Pay level 4 Pay level 5		Pay level 6
Corporal.............	7.70	8.53	9.41	10.29	11.17	12.06
Leading Aircraftwoman...	7.25	8.08	8.96	9.85	10.72	11.61
Aircraftwoman........	6.99	7.82	8.70	9.58	10.46	11.34

Application.

10. The rates of active pay provided for in the Air Force Regulations as amended by these Regulations apply in relation to service in the Permanent Air Force on and after the eighteenth day of May, 1972.

Overview

Statutory Rules 1972 No. 144, made under the Air Force Act 1923-1965, amends the Air Force Regulations to update the rates of active pay for various ranks and positions within the Royal Australian Air Force. Enacted on 24 August 1972 and notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 31 August 1972, this legislative instrument addresses the need to adjust remuneration to reflect service duration and rank. The policy objective is to ensure equitable compensation for military personnel, taking into account their years of service and specific roles. These amendments ensure that the pay structure remains aligned with the evolving service requirements and the commitment of personnel.

Scope and Application

The legislative instrument F1997B00639 pertains to the amendment of various regulations under the Air Force Regulations, specifically concerning the active pay for officers, students, and other ranks within the Australian Defence Force. This regulation applies to military personnel serving in the Permanent Air Force, including officers, warrant officers, flight sergeants, sergeants, air cadets, and airmen apprentices. The amendments outline specific pay rates based on rank, length of service, and course of study. Notably, these regulations apply to the Commonwealth of Australia and are intended to govern financial remuneration for military personnel within the Air Force. The instrument does not explicitly state exclusions, but the specific nature of the provisions implies that it is limited to active military service. The application of these regulations extends through subordinate instruments that may further detail or specify conditions under which these rates are applicable.

Key Provisions

The legislative instrument F1997B00639 amends several sections of the Air Force Regulations, primarily focusing on updating the rates of active pay for various ranks and positions within the Air Force. For instance, Regulation 543 has been amended to reflect updated daily pay rates for officers based on their rank and length of service (section 1). The new rates are detailed in the amended tables, which now include more granular distinctions based on the years of service, particularly for Flight Lieutenants and Flying Officers. Furthermore, the daily rates for certain specialist students and medical students have also been updated (section 3). Additionally, the consolidated annual rates of pay for higher ranks such as Air Commodore, Group Captain, and Wing Commander have been revised (section 2). The updated regulations impose clear obligations on the Air Force to ensure that personnel are compensated according to the new rates as per their respective ranks and length of service. This includes the obligation to pay the specified daily rates to officers, students, and other members of the Air Force as outlined in the amended tables. The new provisions also apply to the payment of air cadets and members holding ranks of Corporal or lower, as well as to Warrant Officers, Flight Sergeants, and Sergeants (sections 3, 4, and 5). These amendments necessitate that the Air Force update its payroll systems and procedures to reflect the new rates. Failure to comply with the new pay rates as stipulated in these regulations could result in legal repercussions. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the text, non-compliance with statutory requirements in Australia can generally lead to both civil and criminal consequences. Civil consequences might include fines, while criminal penalties could range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and the specific statutory provisions involved. The exact penalties would be determined by relevant courts based on the nature and extent of the breach.

Area of Law: Military Law; Administrative Law
Instrument: Regulation
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Regulatory Standards

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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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