Layover Allowance Hearing
As you are aware, the interlocutory hearing for the layover dispute was heard last Friday, 24 April 2026 before Deputy President Binet at the Fair Work Commission in Perth.
The purpose of this hearing was to determine whether the AFAP can amend its application to determine that a layover for training and/or planned events attracted the layover allowance provided for by clause 37 of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Western Operations) Pilots Enterprise Agreement 2023.
Appearing for Bryn were Andrew Molnar (AFAP Legal Counsel) and Rebekah Albrecht (AFAP Industrial Advisor). It was also great to see your former colleague, Matthew Magnussen, who attend the Fair Work Commisison in Melbourne to support Bryn and the AFAP. Appearing for the RFDS WO were Harry Beaton and Jacob Fowler (Mills Oakley). Also attending were Andy Mudgway (General Manager Aviation), Chloe Thomas (Director People & Culture), and Hannah Schorer (Head of People).
As part of the hearing, a digital court book was prepared by the parties. For those who are interested, a copy of the court book can be accessed [
HERE].
Deputy President Binet engaged closely with our submissions, asking questions which demonstrated the areas the Commission appeared to be particularly interested in. We are confident that our arguments in favour of the amendment being allowed were thoroughly understood and the correct issues were identified.
In terms of next steps, written closing submissions are due by Friday, 8 May 2026, and are currently being drafted. After this, a decision will be made by Deputy President Binet.
If we are successful, the matter will proceed to a substantive hearing to determine in what circumstances the layover allowance is payable. If Deputy President finds against us, we will assess all available options, including exercising appeal rights or initiating a new dispute process. Either way, members can be assured the layover issue will be fully ventilated and determined.
EA Update
Following the AFAP’s letter to the RFDS WO on 15 April 2026, raising concerns about good faith bargaining obligations, we expect its response by our nominated deadline of 1600 AEST, Wednesday 29 April 2026.
If no response is received by that time, the AFAP will explore applying for a orders from the Fair Work Commission, which would require the RFDS WO to comply with its good faith bargaining requirements.
With the RFDS WO having cancelled our last negotiation meeting, the next meeting is scheduled for 11 May 2026. We trust that this meeting will remain scheduled and look forward to hearing from the RFDS WO about its hours of work modelling and discussing our remuneration claim.
If you have questions, please contact any of the AFAP pilot representatives (Bryn James, Jason Allery, James Quickfall and Ross Andrews), or AFAP industrial staff Andrew Molnar (
andrew@afap.org.au) and Rebekah Albrecht (
rebekah@afap.org.au), alternatively on (03) 9928 5737.
Your AFAP Industrial Team
Bryn James
Jason Allery
James Quickfall
Ross Andrews