A Career with QantasLink
With Flight Crew bases in Sydney, Melbourne, Mildura, Brisbane and Cairns QantasLink offers successful applicants an exciting and challenging flying career with Australia's leading regional carrier in a two crew turbo-prop RPT operation.
Starting as a First Officer, you will become quickly and actively involved in our dynamic operation. Taking control of some of the most sophisticated regional aircraft, you will be responsible for providing our passengers with the best customer experience and ensuring their safety.
As a QantasLink First Officer you will be responsible for:
- Making safety the first priority.
- Ensuring maximum comfort and courtesy is extended to passengers and company customers.
- Ensuring that no Company aircraft is operated outside its normal operating parameters, unless in an emergency situation.
- Complying with instruction and regulations laid down by the Company and CASA.
- Line Pilots must efficiently execute all their technical duties.
- Ensuring that all flight time and duty time limitations are observed and accurately recorded on the flight and duty time record.
- Maintaining currency of 1st Class medical certificate, advising the Fleet Manager if the certificate is about to lapse.
About QantasLink
QantasLink is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Qantas Group operating a fleet of Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft across regional Australia. A progressive fleet replacement has recently finished and the fleet now consists of
- 5 x DHC 8 200 series
- 16 x DHC 8 300 series
- 21 x DHC 8 400 series
QantasLink operates through an extensive network across Australia, with services in NSW, VIC, Qld, SA and TAS. The ports serviced by QantasLink include Adelaide, Albury-Wodonga, Armidale, Biloela, Blackwater, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Canberra, Cairns, Charleville, Cloncurry, Coffs Harbour, Devonport, Dubbo, Emerald, Gladstone, Hamilton Island, Hervey Bay, Horn Island, Launceston, Lord Howe Island, Mackay, Melbourne, Mildura, Moranbah, Moree, Mt Hotham, Mt Isa, Newcastle, Port Lincoln, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Roma, Sydney, Tamworth, Townsville, Wagga Wagga and Weipa
Minimum Requirements - Direct Entry
The following are the minimum entry criteria for QantasLink. You must meet the minimum criteria in all areas before your application for employment will be considered. You will be required to produce supporting evidence upon request.
If you require clarification on any of our minimum criteria, please contact us at qantaslinkpilot@qantas.com.au.
Education
- Higher School Certificate or equivalent (documentation required).
Residency/Passport
- Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizen (documentation required).
- Current Australian or New Zealand passport with access to all Qantas ports.
Licensing
- Australian or New Zealand Air Transport Pilot Licence or Commercial Pilot Licence and passes in all ATPL Theories*.
Endorsements/Qualifications
- Hold or have held endorsements for NDB, VOR, ILS, LLZ and DGA on an Australian Civil Instrument Rating or New Zealand equivalent.
- Hold a Basic GPS Qualification (CAO 40.2.1, Appendix IV, Section 1 - log book stamp required).
- Multi Engine Instrument Rating valid for at least 3 months upon commencement of employment.
Experience
- 700 hours total flying time.
- 250 hours Command or Co-Pilot of multi-engine, fixed wing aircraft (excluding ICUS).
- Turbine experience is desirable but not compulsory.
Medical
- CASA or CAANZ Class 1 Aviation Medical Certificate.
- Pass a Drug and Alcohol Test.
Security
- Ability to hold an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC)^.
^ Effective 1st July 1997 under the Commonwealth Air Navigation Act, you are required to undertake extensive background and security checks, at your own expense, to establish your eligibility to hold an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC).
Recruitment Process
Stage One: The candidate's application is checked to ensure compliance with minimum entry and vetted for competitiveness with other applicants. Progression to Stage 2 is determined by the competitiveness of an application following completion of Stage 1.
Stage Two: An online Psychometric Assessment. A non-refundable fee of A$181.50 is charged by SHL (Test Provider) for the Stage 2 assessment. Progression to Stage 3 is determined by the competitiveness of an application following completion of Stage 2.
Stage Three: One day of assessment, comprising of a Simulator Flight Assessment (Q400) and a Panel Interview.
Progression to Stage 4 is determined by the competitiveness of an application following completion of Stage 3. If successful in progressing to Stage 4, the candidate will be required to submit documentation for the Qantas ASIC and undergo a drug and alcohol test.
Stage Four: Reference checks will be conducted by QantasLink and the application will be subject to a full review by Flight Operations Management. Candidates who are assessed as strongly competitive during the final review may receive a written offer of employment for a nominated start date, or will otherwise be placed on Active Hold awaiting a position.
Note: The fees for the Psychometric Assessment, Criminal History, Politically Motivated Violence and Citizenship Check represent external fees imposed upon Qantas for each candidate who undertakes these assessments. Recovering this fee from the candidate allows Qantas to offer a greater number of applicants the opportunity to attempt the assessments.
Please be aware that there are subtle differences between the Qantas and QantasLink recruitment process. Any enquires should be forwarded to: qantaslinkpilot@qantas.com.au
Renumeration & Benefits
As a QantasLink pilot you will be employed by either Eastern Australia Airlines or Sunstate Airlines. Although these employers are operated under the one QantasLink brand, each airline has its own workplace agreement. A successful applicant's employing entity is determined by initial basing which is dependant on the needs of QantasLink during the time of the endorsement training.
A full breakdown of remuneration and benefits for employees of Eastern Australia Airlines is detailed in the Eastern Australia Airlines Pty Limited Pilots Enterprise Agreement.
A full breakdown of remuneration and benefits for employees of Sunstate Airlines is detailed in the Sunstate Airlines (Qld) Pty Limited Pilots Enterprise Agreement.
Information about workplace agreements can be found by visiting:
Contact Us
Please forward any enquiries you may have to qantaslinkpilot@qantas.com.au (resumes and applications will not be accepted via email).
Whilst we endeavour to respond to all enquiries, our resources are limited and responses can take some time.
Please ensure you have read all the information available on this website prior to contacting us, as the information you seek may be embedded within it. We ask that you refrain from contacting QantasLink by telephone for general enquiries. We thank you for your understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for the Dash 8 training?
QantasLink will pay for the full cost of the Type Rating, and in return, the recruit enters a 3-year Bond Agreement. Under the Bond Agreement, the pilot must stay employed with QantasLink for a period of three (3) years or repay the full cost of the Type Rating. Any repayments for breaking the Bond agreement are pro-rated on the length of service with QantasLink. Recruits are provided a detailed Agreement at time of employment offer.
Would I have a guaranteed job?
Yes, employment commences from day 1 of the Dash 8 Type Rating.
What if I struggle through the training and require extra training in the Sim? Will this effect my employment and cost extra $$$?
Your position as a First Officer is secure pending satisfactory completion of the Dash 8 endorsement training. By satisfactory, we mean that you progress at a rate within expected norms. QantasLink will be following your progress and be aware of any additional training requirements. If extra training is required it will be paid for by the company. This will be visible on your training record.
What if I have trouble during Line Training? Does the Company assist me in getting through?
From the commencement of Ground School you are a full employee. Normal processes will be applied to any candidates who struggle to achieve standards at this point.
Would I get an allowance whilst conducting the Type Rating training?
Yes, you are employed from commencement of the ground school, providing all security clearances have been completed.
Is there an age limit for the QantasLink Direct Entry Program?
No, there is no upper age limit for the QantasLink Direct Entry Program.
Apply Now
If you meet the minimum requirements and would like to be considered for a position with QantasLink, then please apply.
Note: when you apply to QantasLink, you are confirming that you meet the minimum requirements and you are willing to accept employment at ANY QantasLink crew base.
