QPC Briefing No. 57 2026
Qantas LHEA11 – Reminder Vote Opens Tomorrow
A reminder that voting on the proposed Qantas Airways Limited (Long Haul) Enterprise Agreement 2026 (EA11) opens tomorrow at 10am AEDT and closes at 11am AEDT on Thursday 29 October 2026.
Eligible employees will vote via an online ballot conducted by an external independent organisation, Elections Australia Pty Ltd. Qantas has released an instruction sheet providing details on casting your vote, noting that your vote is anonymous.
Pilots Who Don’t Vote Don’t Count
The vote is your opportunity to have your say on the agreement that will govern your terms and conditions for at least the next 4 years. It is vital that every pilot has their say.
To be approved, an EA requires approval from a majority of those Pilots who cast a valid vote. If you do not vote, you do not count.
FWC Recommendation
Deputy President Easton, who presided over the Fair Work Commission (FWC) conciliation process for the LHEA, issued a recommendation on 16 October 2026 to the bargaining representatives. A copy of the recommendation is available
here.
Issuing a non-binding recommendation is an established part of the FWC’s role in assisting parties to resolve bargaining disputes. Similar recommendations were issued following conciliation during the most recent EA negotiations at Virgin and Jetstar.
All bargaining representatives had the opportunity to provide input before the recommendation was issued. Both the AFAP and AIPA agreed to the recommendation being issued in its current form. The recommendation itself is that of Deputy President Easton.
Qantas has disturbed the recommendation to LH pilots, and advised the FWC it was doing so, copying in the AFAP and AIPA. The FWC does not have a direct distribution for LH pilots.
The recommendation reflects the views of a senior FWC member who has been directly involved in the conciliation process. The AFAP encourages pilots to read it in full and give it appropriate consideration when assessing the proposed agreement and deciding how to vote.
Assessing the Proposed EA11
We reiterate that the AFAP encourages all pilots to assess the proposed EA11 in its entirety, taking into account not only the improvements and concessions within the package, but also the context of the negotiations, the significant progress achieved since the April No vote and the risks associated with the alternatives.
Over the past two months, the QPC has released a series of detailed briefings to assist pilots in making an informed assessment of the proposed Agreement:
Key Terms of the In-Principle Agreement – Briefing No. 41
Remuneration Outcomes – Briefing No. 42
Assessing the Overall Package and Concessions – Briefing No. 44
Reduction in Numbers (RIN) Provisions – Briefing No. 46
Assessing the A350 Package – Briefing No. 48
AFAP Pay Comparison Widget – Briefing No. 50
Legal Advice on the Options Following a No Vote – Briefing No. 52
Blank Line Reforms – Briefing No. 53
Trainer Package Details – Briefing No. 54
Updated AFAP Pay Widget – Briefing No. 56
In addition to these targeted briefings, we have attached an
AFAP Long Haul EA11 Explanatory Document providing a broader overview of the proposed Agreement and its implications for pilots.
Together, these materials provide a comprehensive assessment of what pilots stand to gain, what is being traded and the realistic alternatives should the Agreement be rejected.
We encourage all pilots to revisit the material most relevant to their circumstances and raise any outstanding questions with their AFAP QPC representatives before voting.
Ultimately, this is your Agreement and your decision. Whatever your view, we encourage you to make an informed choice based on the full package, rather than individual provisions considered in isolation.
AFAP Recommendation – Vote YES
The AFAP recommended a No vote in April because pilots deserved a better deal. Further bargaining has delivered stronger remuneration, fairer pay structures, meaningful Blank Line improvements and substantially fewer concessions. Having assessed the overall package against the risks and uncertainty of further bargaining, the AFAP QPC unanimously endorses the proposed EA11 and recommends that pilots vote YES.
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, Executive Director Simon Lutton –
simon@afap.org.au, Senior Legal/Industrial Officer Patrick Larkins –
patrick@afap.org.au and Senior Legal/Industrial Officer Deanna Cain –
deanna@afap.org.au.
Regards,
AFAP Qantas Pilot Council LH EA Team