Qantas / QantasLink Airports Change - Position Confirmed 

Qantas has now confirmed its position regarding the proposed Qantas / QantasLink Airports change. This follows ongoing engagement between the ASU, delegates and Qantas during the consultation process.

This bulletin outlines the current position - including outcomes secured by the delegates and the key issues that remain unresolved.

Outcomes Secured Through Union Advocacy
As a result of ASU intervention and member feedback, a number of important outcomes have been achieved:
  • Application of Site Arrangements in Brisbane (BNE)
    Qantas has confirmed that a site arrangement will apply in Brisbane in the form of shift gifting.

This arrangement is unique to BNE and will not apply to any other port nationally. It is intended to facilitate a level of operational flexibility comparable to that previously experienced by Sunstate employees, while maintaining an agreed and structured framework.

- Roster Transition Period
A defined transition period for roster changes has been secured. This ensures that any operational changes are implemented in a managed way, rather than abruptly.
These outcomes strengthen Qantas’ initial position and show the impact of collective advocacy.

Matters Still Outstanding
Despite these gains, key issues remain unresolved and require further engagement:
  • Long Service Leave
    There is not yet a settled position on the impact of these changes on Long Service Leave for employees who have already met the threshold for accessing Long Service Leave.
  • Transition, Redundancy and Ongoing Work
    Pending the Fair Work Commission process, there is no fixed date for redundancy for employees who do not elect to transfer to Qantas.

This creates uncertainty, as employees may be required to remain in employment throughout the transition period, which at the earliest aligns with the next seasonal schedule change.
This remains a priority issue, as it goes directly to certainty and planning for affected members.

Further Consultation Required
The ASU has made it clear that further consultation is necessary. While Qantas has confirmed its direction, a number of critical matters affecting members’ entitlements and working arrangements remain unresolved.
We expect:
  • Meaningful consultation on outstanding issues
  • Clear outcomes on entitlement preservation
  • Proper consideration of member feedback before implementation
While Qantas has confirmed its decision, this does not bring matters to a close. Outstanding issues remain and will not be set aside - pushing the Company is an ongoing task of the union, including throughout the transition and continuing even if employees move to Qantas, to ensure members’ rights and entitlements are protected and improved over time.

Proposed Timeline
Qantas has indicated a proposed pathway which includes:
  • Continued consultation in the immediate period
  • Progression of the Fair Work Commission section 318 application
The ASU will continue to scrutinise this process to ensure unresolved issues are not rushed or overlooked.

Next Steps
The ASU will:
  • Continue to press Qantas to resolve outstanding issues
  • Engage further with members and delegates
  • Provide ongoing updates as discussions progress