QPC Briefing No 3 2026
AFAP Structure, Council Autonomy, and Enterprise Agreement Representation
Over recent months, we've seen strong growth in membership, especially among Long Haul pilots. As a result we have experienced an increase in common questions from new and prospective members about the AFAP structure, how individual Councils operate, and the AFAP’s role in enterprise agreements (EAs). As we head into a new year, it is worth answering these questions for all members.
The AFAP’s Federation Structure
Since being established in 1938, the AFAP has remained a pilot led organisation dedicated to improving conditions for all pilots in Australia. The AFAP structure has evolved as the industrial environment and membership needs have changed.
In 1991, the AFAP began adopting its current ‘council’ structure to ensure we all remain in control of decisions at our own workplace.
Today, the AFAP represents over 6,000 pilots across all aviation operators in Australia. Generally, each operator has its own council representing only the pilots employed by that organisation. Smaller operators together form the National Council, while helicopter pilots have their own Helicopter Council. This ensures decisions are made by the pilots who will be affected.
Representatives from the Council are elected, by the members to form the Council Committee. The number of Committee members depends on the Council's membership size. Your current Qantas Pilot Council Committee members are:
- Mike Egan – Chair
- Mark Gilmour – Vice-Chair
- Rob Close – Secretary
- David La Porte
- Mike Armessen
- Josh Chalmers
- Rob Gilmour
This committee meets regularly to reach consensus on priorities and strategy for representing Qantas pilots.
New Council Committee terms begin in October this year and elections will be held mid-year. As our member numbers have grown there will be additional committee positions to fill and we encourage members to think about stepping forward to serve their colleagues.
However, you do not have to be on the Committee to make an impact. We have several members involved in projects and working parties. Additionally, we welcome direct input from members to qpc@afap.org.au. Your engagement empowers the Committee to represent you effectively.
Managing Different Interests Within the AFAP
Another frequent question is how the AFAP manages situations where the interests of different pilot groups may not align. This is understandable as many of you have experience of structures where decisions feel distant or predetermined.
Each AFAP Council determines their own positions on issues based on the context, risks and priorities at their workplace. No council is bound by another council's decision.
Councils often differ on practical matters such as what to pursue in an EA. However, they generally agree on strategic goals. This is because the AFAP’s aim is to improve pilots' conditions and professional standing across the industry. That common goal is set by members and has underpinned the organisation’s work for nearly a century. This shared purpose means Councils act independently while still moving towards this goal together.
Council Committees and staff, share information and work on projects collectively. For example, a working group, made up of members from every council, including 5 Qantas mainline pilots, is currently advocating for improvements to security screening arrangements to companies, airports and government.
Who Decides Whether an EA Is Endorsed?
Only members of the relevant Council Committee assess the EA. Neither the AFAP Executive nor other councils can compel a council to endorse or oppose an Enterprise Agreement. This ensures that these decisions are made only by pilots who understand the operational, lifestyle, and career implications specific to their employer.
Based on member feedback and the advice of the AFAP legal and industrial staff, the Committee may decide to recommend a yes or no vote or simply provide information to pilots.
By way of example, during the recent Short Haul EA, the Committee voted to recommend a no vote to the first proposed agreement, then, during the second ballot, resolved to provide only information on the advantages and disadvantages of the improved offer.
This structure ensures that EA decisions remain democratic, account table, and aligned with the pilot collective whose employment conditions are at stake.
Enterprise Agreements and “Signatory” Status
Another common area of confusion relates to signatories to EAs, particularly in Qantas mainline agreements. In most walks of life, a signature is king. However, when it comes to EAs, it is not that simple.
In practice, signatory status is largely symbolic. For Qantas mainline pilots, the absence of the AFAP as a named signatory in past agreements does not reduce the AFAP’s rights or its ability to represent members’.
During the recent Short Haul EA, the company linked being named in the EA to the AFAP endorsing a yes vote in the first round of voting. Despite this, the Council Committee chose to accurately reflect member sentiment and recommended that members vote no to the proposed agreement, which 63% of all Short Haul pilots did. This episode shows how the AFAP’s member-led structure operates when pressure is applied.
We await to see the company’s final approach to this issue at Long Haul.
Conclusion
The AFAP is a federation of pilot councils. Members of those councils elect a Committee to represent them and make strategic decisions effecting the workgroup. This structure is designed to ensure that pilot representation remains democratic, flexible, and responsive to the specific realities faced by each pilot group.
The Council Committee is not who makes up the Union. Ultimately you the members direct our work. As such members should contact the Committee on any issue they wish to raise via qpc@afap.org.au.
Questions and Feedback
If you have any questions or feedback please contact your AFAP Qantas Pilot Council representatives at qpc@afap.org.au, or the AFAP legal and industrial team of Senior Legal/ Industrial Officer Pat Larkins (patrick@afap.org.au), Senior Industrial Officer Deanna Cain (deanna@afap.org.au) or Executive Director Simon Lutton (simon@afap.org.au).
Regards,
AFAP Qantas Pilot Council
Michael Egan – Chair
Mark Gilmour – Vice-Chair
Rob Close – Secretary
Michael Armessen – Committee Member
David LaPorte – Committee Member
Josh Chalmers – Committee Member
Rob Gilmour – Committee Member