Royal Australian Air Force Pay Scales 2025-2026

Salary rates, allowances, and take-home pay for all RAAF ranks. Updated November 2025.

ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement 2023–2026

Last Updated: 6 November 2025

Source: Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT)

Show:

Rank	Pay Grade	Starting Salary	Maximum Salary	Increments
Recruit Basic recruit training	OR-1	$60,517	$60,517	1 levels
Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman Junior airman/airwoman	OR-2	$76,495	$79,154	3 levels
Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman Qualified airman/airwoman	OR-3	$80,524	$83,349	3 levels
Corporal Junior non-commissioned officer	OR-4	$86,966	$89,857	3 levels
Sergeant Non-commissioned officer	OR-5	$97,575	$100,898	3 levels

Recruit

Basic recruit training

OR-11 levels

Starting

$60,517

Maximum

$60,517

Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman

Junior airman/airwoman

OR-23 levels

Starting

$76,495

Maximum

$79,154

Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman

Qualified airman/airwoman

OR-33 levels

Starting

$80,524

Maximum

$83,349

Corporal

Junior non-commissioned officer

OR-43 levels

Starting

$86,966

Maximum

$89,857

Sergeant

Non-commissioned officer

OR-53 levels

Starting

$97,575

Maximum

$100,898

Salaries effective November 6, 2025 and include Service Allowance. Additional allowances may apply based on role, location, and deployment.

Allowances & Benefits

Superannuation

Employer superannuation contribution

16.4%(vs 12% civilian standard)

Additional Allowances

Service Allowance

Included in base salary to compensate for military service conditions

•Built into published salary rates

Taxable

Deployment Allowance

Paid during warlike or non-warlike operations

•Force-assigned to deployment
•Entered operational area
•Rates vary by operation and threat level
•Reviewed every 6 months

Tax-free

District Allowance

Compensation for living in remote Australian locations

•Primary service location is remote
•Temporary duty in remote area for 21+ days
•Posted to seagoing ship with remote home port
•Rates vary by location and remoteness grade

Taxable

Military Factor Allowance

Compensates for unique hardships of military service environments

•12 tiers based on service environment
•Sea service, flying duties, field operations
•Paid at highest eligible tier per day

Taxable

Separation Allowance

Paid when separated from family due to service requirements

•Separated from dependents for extended periods
•Rates vary by circumstances

Taxable

Flying Allowance

Paid to aircrew and flying personnel

•Qualified aircrew
•Maintaining flying currency
•Rates vary by aircraft type and role

Taxable

Additional Benefits

Free Medical and Dental Care

Comprehensive medical and dental care for serving members

ADF Family Health Program

Subsidised healthcare for family members

Home Purchase Assistance Scheme

Up to $16,949 (before tax) to assist with home purchase

Subsidised Home Loans

Access to subsidised home loan rates

Rent Allowance

Assistance with rental costs in certain circumstances

Fully Paid Training

Comprehensive training and professional development at no cost

Salary Packaging

Options to package salary for tax benefits

Retention Bonus

Cash bonuses to encourage retention (up to $40,000 from July 2025)

Tax-free allowance

Taxable allowance

About Royal Australian Air Force Pay Scales

The Royal Australian Air Force uses a rank-based pay structure with 17 rank levels across Enlisted, Warrant Officer, and Officer categories — ranging from $60,517 (Recruit, increment 0) up to $478,781 (most senior officer, top increment). Salaries are set by the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) and reviewed annually.

Superannuation: Royal Australian Air Force members receive 16.4% employer superannuation — significantly above the standard civilian rate of 12%. This is a major component of ADF total remuneration.

Salary Data Last Updated

6 November 2025 — Source: Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT)

Key Information

Salaries effective November 6, 2025 (3.4% increase)
Part of ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement 2023-2026
Total 11.2% increase over three years (2023-2026)
Salaries include Service Allowance
Additional allowances may apply (flying duties, deployment, etc.)
Superannuation at 16.4% (higher than civilian standard)

Compare with Other ADF Services

See how Royal Australian Air Force salaries compare with other ADF services:

Navy Army All Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for an Air Force recruit in 2025-2026?

Air Force recruits (OR-1) start at $60,517 per year (effective November 2025). On completion of initial training and qualification as an Aircraftman/woman (OR-2), salaries rise to $76,495–$79,154. All salaries are supplemented by the 16.4% Air Force superannuation rate and applicable allowances.

What allowances do Royal Australian Air Force personnel receive?

RAAF personnel may receive Flying Allowance for aircrew roles, Deployment Allowance (tax-free) during operational deployments, Military Factor Allowance based on posting conditions, District Allowance for remote base postings, and technical trade allowances. Flying allowance is a significant component for aircrew members and varies by aircraft type and hours flown.

How does Air Force superannuation compare to civilian employment?

Air Force members receive 16.4% employer superannuation — significantly above the civilian standard of 12%. On a Flight Sergeant salary of around $106,234 per year, this equates to approximately $17,422 in super contributions annually, compared to $12,748 for a civilian on the same salary. Over a career, this difference compounds to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

What is the salary range for a RAAF Officer?

RAAF officers start as Officer Cadets (OF-D) at $60,517, rising to Pilot Officer (OF-1) at $76,495–$79,154 and Flying Officer (OF-2) at $95,847–$100,884. Flight Lieutenants (OF-3) earn $115,629–$121,758 and Wing Commanders (OF-4) earn $135,886–$143,039. Air Commodores and Air Vice Marshals earn well above $280,000.

Do Air Force pilots receive additional pay?

Yes, aircrew members including pilots receive Flying Allowance on top of their base salary. This allowance is variable and depends on aircraft type, role, and flying hours. Specialist technical roles and air combat officers may also receive additional allowances. Total compensation for experienced aircrew roles can be significantly higher than the base salary alone.

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