QPC Briefing No. 32 2026
EA11 Negotiations Update
This week the AFAP formally provided Qantas with a comprehensive written response to the Company’s latest proposal. The details of the changes to the Qantas proposal were developed directly from the priorities identified by hundreds of Long Haul pilots through the post-vote survey process and subsequent member engagement.
Following the clear mandate delivered by pilots through the rejection of the original EA11 proposal, the AFAP believes this package now reflects the changes members told us are necessary to support an agreement. Accordingly, the AFAP has presented this to Qantas as a single, integrated package that reflects an overall balance of outcomes and on which we would be prepared to reach in-principle agreement. The package should not be viewed as a series of standalone proposals. If Qantas is unwilling to accept the package as a whole, the AFAP reserves the right to reconsider, amend or withdraw our position on any individual element as bargaining continues.
Qantas is expected to provide a formal response at our bargaining meeting this Friday.
Members may also be aware that the AIPA Committee of Management has voted in favour of filing for a Protected Action Ballot Order if Qantas does not accept AIPA’s counterproposal by the end of this week.
The AFAP is aware that AIPA has adopted a different timetable. However, the AFAP will continue to independently assess each stage of bargaining based on what we believe best advances the interests of AFAP members. That is exactly what we did in the lead up to the EA11 vote, when the AFAP recommended that members vote No and 66% of Long Haul pilots gave both unions a clear mandate to return to the bargaining table and pursue a better deal.
Following Friday’s meeting, the QPC Committee will carefully assess Qantas' response. The key question for the AFAP will be whether the Company's revised position genuinely addresses the significant issues consistently raised by pilots and delivers a better outcome than we realistically believe could be achieved through escalation. That assessment can only be made once Qantas has formally responded to the AFAP's proposal.
We thank members for their patience at this critical stage of the bargaining process. The AFAP is aware, including through the recent membership survey, that there is strong member support for escalation if Qantas does not substantially improve its position. However, you also told us that you are prepared to take the time necessary to get a deal that is not only acceptable but a significant improvement.
The AFAP remains committed to reaching agreement through bargaining. It is important that we continue to comply with our good faith bargaining obligations, including genuinely considering Qantas’ response to our position, before determining the appropriate next steps.
If Qantas is unwilling to make the movement necessary to reach an agreement capable of AFAP endorsement, the AFAP will consider all lawful avenues available under the Fair Work Act, including applying for a Protected Action Ballot Order.
Should the AFAP ultimately determine that a Protected Action Ballot Order is warranted, we will first clearly explain to members why that course is necessary. In particular, we will clearly identify the respective positions of the AFAP and Qantas and explain where the Company's proposal falls short of an agreement capable of AFAP endorsement. If members are asked to vote in support of protected industrial action (PIA), we will ensure they understand exactly what they are being asked to fight for.
The AFAP has consistently supported the use of all lawful industrial tools where they are necessary to advance the interests of our members. We believe that, when escalation becomes necessary, a collaborative and united approach across the pilot group and their representative organisations provides the strongest platform for achieving a fair outcome. Equally, we have an obligation to ensure we comply with the requirements of the Fair Work Act and that members are fully informed about the reasons for any proposed course of action before being asked to support it.
PIA is never a step the AFAP takes lightly. However, it is a lawful process available under the Fair Work Act to advance the interests of our members in bargaining, and one the AFAP has significant experience in utilising across the aviation industry when required.
Qantas Application to the Fair Work Commission
Finally, we have today been notified that Qantas has lodged an application under section 240 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) seeking the assistance of the Fair Work Commission ("FWC") to facilitate bargaining through conciliation.
Under section 240, any bargaining representative may apply to the FWC for assistance during enterprise bargaining without the agreement of the other bargaining representatives. The role of the FWC in a section 240 conference is to assist the parties to resolve bargaining issues and facilitate agreement. The Commission cannot impose a binding outcome or determine the terms of an enterprise agreement.
At this stage, Qantas' application names only AIPA. Qantas has advised the AFAP that its bargaining team remains available to meet with the AFAP as scheduled this Friday to provide a formal response to the AFAP's proposal and to further explore whether there is a pathway to reaching an in-principle agreement.
Following Friday's meeting, the AFAP will consider whether it is appropriate to seek to participate in the section 240 conciliation process.
For clarity, the commencement of a section 240 conciliation does not prevent either union from applying for a Protected Action Ballot Order. However, if a union does apply for a Protected Action Ballot Order, the Fair Work Commission must convene a compulsory conciliation conference as part of that process in an attempt to assist the parties to resolve the outstanding bargaining issues before the protected action ballot process is finalised.
We will continue to keep members informed of any further developments as bargaining progresses.
Questions and Feedback
If you have any questions or further feedback, please contact your AFAP Qantas Pilot Council representatives at qpc@afap.org.au, or the AFAP Legal and Industrial team:
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