The Australian Air Pilots Mutual Benefit Fund

General Information

• The AAPMBF Membership year runs from 1 May – 30 April each year
• The Renewals period occurs between 1 May and 31 May
• You can update your personal details by logging into your MyPage ‘Member Profile’
• You can access member documents by logging into your MyPage ‘Member Documents’
• You can contact the Membership team by emailing membership@aapmbf.com.au or calling 03 9928 4500
• Our office is located in Melbourne, Victoria Australia
• We are affiliated with the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) as our membership eligibility criteria requires you to be a member of the Federation. However, we operate as totally separate identities. The MBF (Australian Air Pilots Mutual Benefit Fund) provides its members with Loss of Licence Cover. You are protecting your Class 1 Medical Certificate.

1. What happens if I have not met my required Contributions payments?

   Rule 5 (Contributions to the Fund), Rule 12 (Cessation of Membership)

   When paying in full, Annual Contributions are due and payable on the 1st day of May each year.  Members who fail to pay their Contributions by May 31st shall be deemed to have allowed their membership to have lapsed and shall not be entitled to any benefit.

2. Can I still be a member when unemployed from Piloting?

   Rule 12 (Cessation of Membership), Rule 2 (Eligibility)   
   
   You must advise MBF Membership when you change your employment status.

   A member may remain in the Fund for a period of three years while unemployed.
   
   Following this three year period, if they have not gained employment as a pilot the member must resign from the Fund.

   Providing they meet the criteria, a resigned member may be eligible to return to the Fund should they regain piloting employment.

   An unemployed member must continue to hold a current Class 1 Medical Certificate and remain a member of AFAP.

3. Do I need to maintain a Class 1 Medical Certificate?

   Rule 2 (Eligibility)
   
   You must hold a valid Class 1 Medical Certificate to remain a member, regardless of your current employment status.     
   
   Members are able to operate on an Overseas Medical Certificate, however all benefit claims are based on the failure of the Australian Class 1 Medical Certificate standards.
   
   A valid commercial pilot’s licence is also required by those who are employed and either actively piloting or stood down (so that they are ready, willing and able to resume piloting activities).

4. If I gain employment air piloting one day a week, does that meet MBF membership requirements for income?

   
   If that is your principal source of income, yes.

5. What happens if my employer does not pay my loss of licence allowance directly to MBF?

   Rule 5 (Contributions to the Fund)

   Members are responsible for payment of their membership contributions.

   If the employer does not pay on the member’s behalf, the member will be required to make payment and then pursue reimbursement from their employer.

6. Can I put my cover on ‘hold’ until I return to piloting?

   Rule 2 (Eligibility)

   No – there is no provision to place your MBF membership on ‘hold’.

   There are options for you to voluntarily resign as a Member and return later, but you need to consider the terms and conditions of the Rules in respect of applying for or returning as a Member of the Fund.

7. What are my payment options?
   • Bpay
   • Bank Transfer
   • Credit Card (VISA/Mastercard only)
   • Combination of Bulk billed Employer Allowance/Out of Pocket Member payment by VISA/MasterCard.
   • If paying your Annual Contributions by 12 monthly instalments, your VISA/MasterCard payment is processed on the first business day of each month. Members who have not paid by the last day of each month shall be deemed to have allowed their membership to have lapsed and shall not be entitled to any benefit. Membership will automatically cease.
   • There are no other fees and charges applied by the MBF when paying by credit card.
8. Will MBF cover me if I am injured while working in an occupation other than piloting?

   Rule 6 (b)

   If you have an accident or illness as a result of your non piloting employment, you must notify your employer and seek Work Cover through your employer. If you are unsuccessful in your Work Cover claim you may be eligible to make a claim on the MBF in accordance with the terms and conditions of Fund membership.

9. Who is eligible to apply for a Refund of Contributions?

   Rule 5 (Contributions to the Fund), Rule 2 (Reinstatement), Rule 12 (Cessation of Membership)

   Members who are resigning from the Fund after 20 years of membership or 25 years in the case of a reinstated Member.

   Members who have reached the age of 65 years.
   
   The maximum amount of potential refund is limited to $65,000.

   Payments are based on Standard Capital Benefit Contributions minus any monthly benefits paid and excludes GST.

   Please contact MBF Membership to apply.

10. Do I have to remain a member with AFAP once I become a member of AAPMBF?

    Rule 2 (Eligibility)

    To maintain membership and to be eligible to apply for Disability Benefits and/or a Capital Payment you must be a financial member of AFAP (not an Associate Member).

11. How do I notify MBF of a change of my employer?

    
    Please contact MBF Membership by emailing membership@aapmbf.com.au or phone: 03 9928 4500.

    Note that Members are unable to change/update their Employer details via MyPage.

12. What do I have to do if I want to resign as a member of the Fund?

    
    Complete the MBF Voluntary Resignation Notification form found in ‘Member Documents’ in MyPage.

    Please refer to FAQ 6 and consider the eligibility requirements if you are considering returning to the Fund.

13. What will my Contributions cost?

    
    Please refer to the current Contributions and Benefits Scale. 

    Contribution costs are based on a sliding scale depending on the level of Standard Capital Benefit the Member holds, the Member’s age at joining the MBF and the Member’s current age.
    
    For some examples on how the Contributions and Benefits Scale works, please click the image below:
    

14. How do I know how much cover I hold?

    
    Please log into your MyPage member profile and click ‘Certificate of Membership’ button.
    
    

15. Am I covered if I contract Coronavirus, or have an allergic reaction to the vaccine?

    
    Loss of Licence Cover is not excluded for members whose Class 1 Medical Certificate has been affected due to having contracted the Virus, or have had an allergic reaction to the vaccine.

5. Why do I have to renew my membership and what do I have to do?

   
   The AAPMBF Membership year ends  30 April for all members. Members are required to renew their membership when Renewals open on 01 May. Members are sent detailed communications and instructions prior to 1 May regarding the Renewal procedure.

6. Can I reduce my cover, and what do I have to do?

   Rule 5 (Contributions to the Fund)

   To reduce cover when completing the Renewal, a member may remove the Premium Capital Benefit and must do that if they reduce their Standard Capital Benefit (SCB) from the maximum required.

   The minimum cover a member can have is $100,000 SCB.

   The Death Benefit cover cannot exceed the Standard Capital Benefit cover amount. Please be aware of the eligibility requirements should you wish to increase your cover at the time of subsequent Renewals.

7. Can I increase my cover/How?

   Rule 3 (Application for Membership or Revised Benefits)

   If a member is eligible to increase their cover and/or hold the maximum SCB that member may then add the Premium Capital Benefit (PCB).

   Increases in cover for consideration under the COVID-19 Rule must be notified to MBF prior to 30 April.

   An application for PCB is considered a new cover application and a Health Declaration is requested.  Any increase in cover requires Board approval.

8. How much is next year going to cost?

   Rule 5 (Contributions to the Fund)

   Contribution costs are based on a sliding scale depending on the level of Standard Capital Benefit the member holds, the member’s age when they joined MBF and the member’s current age (as at 01 May).  Please refer to the current Contributions and Benefits Scale.
   
   For some examples on how the Contributions and Benefits Scale works, please click the image below:
   

9. Will my employer be paying an allowance for monthly instalments?

   
   If you pay your annual contributions by monthly instalments and are seeking reimbursement from your Employer, please ensure your employer will accept monthly receipts.  The AAPMBF can only issue tax invoice receipts for payments we have received.

10. Will my employer be bulk billed for my allowance amount?

    
    MBF has confirmed a direct billing arrangement with some employers. This is referred to as a bulk billing arrangement. If an Employer allowance is shown in the breakdown of Contributions cost, then this is the amount that will be billed to your employer. The member is responsible for any costs over and above the allowance amount or where the allowance is not paid by the Employer in accordance with MBF payment terms.

11. Do I need to have a current Class 1 Medical Certificate to complete my Renewal?

    
    Yes, all members regardless of their employment status must hold a valid Australian Class 1 Medical Certificate or overseas equivalent. You will be required to upload a copy of your Certificate in order to submit and complete the Renewal process.

    Only members who are current Notifications or Claimants will be able to submit their Renewal without this evidence.

    Note that members who are either a Notification or Claimant must still renew and be a member of the Fund in order to receive benefit payments. They must also remain a financial member of AFAP.

1. What is a Notification?

   
   To meet your obligations under the Rules (11 (a)) you must notify the MBF within 30 days of any event or medical condition that has led to your Class 1 Medical Certificate being cancelled or suspended or which might reasonably be expected to prelcude you from flying. A Notification is not a Claim, but a ‘heads-up’ that you are currently grounded perhaps due to illness or injury and working on regaining your Class 1, without currently needing any assistance from the MBF.

2. What is the 90-day eligibility period for making a Claim?

   Rule 1 – General: Waiting period

   Once you’ve 'Notified' us that your Class 1 Medical Certificate has been cancelled or suspended you cannot receive funds from the MBF until you utilise all your sick leave and/or 90 days have passed since the incident or illness, whichever occurs last. The 90-day eligibility period is not paid.

3. Does the MBF make back-payments?

   Rule 7(n) – Disability Benefits: Commencement Date of Disability and Benefits

   No, the MBF pays benefits from the day of the Board meeting at which your claim is approved. As required under the Rules your claim is then reassessed every month by the Board at its meeting to determine if you are still eligible to receive benefit payments.

4. Do I have to pay tax on monthly benefits?

   
   Yes, as an Australian company the MBF is required to withhold tax on all monthly benefits paid, Therefore tax is deducted from your gross benefit amount – even if you are an overseas-based pilot and do not usually pay tax.

5. Why do I have to provide medical reports?

   Rule 7(x)(y)(z)(aa) – Disability Benefits: Obligations of the Member.
   
   Members and the Board must comply with the obligations under the AAPMBF Rules. The Board is assisted by its Fund Medical Advisers and in order to assess a claim medical evidence is required; for example reports from your GP, specialists, hospital admission and discharge summaries, and treatment plans.

   To confirm that you are still unfit to fly you are required to provide a medical report every two months while receiving benefits.

6. If I’m receiving funds from WorkCover, or any other authority, do I still qualify to receive MBF benefits?

   Rule 6(g) – Exclusions: Third Party Claim Liability
   
   No, you have to conclude your claim with WorkCover, the DVA, Traffic Accident Authority, or whatever statutory entity your event comes under, before you can make a claim with the MBF.

7. Why do I have to supply a letter from my employer confirming salary?

   Rule 7(m) – Disability Benefits: Evidence of piloting income
   
   The monthly benefit calculation is based on a combination of your level of Loss of Licence cover with the MBF and your gross annual salary (without allowances and superannuation). The MBF must have this confirmed by your employer. However, if you are unemployed or a contractor you may supply the last 3 years’ worth of tax returns, which are averaged to give a gross annual salary.

8. If I present with a psychiatric condition why do I have to have an independent assessment prior to my claim going to the Board?

   Rule 6(p) - Exclusions
   
   It’s a requirement under the Rules that those psychiatric conditions covered by the MBF are confirmed by an independent psychiatrist – that is, not one that you have seen previously. This is something the MBF arranges and for which we meet all costs.

   Once we receive the report from the psychiatrist your matter can go to the next Board meeting for assessment.

9. Am I covered if I contract Coronavirus, or have an allergic reaction to the vaccine?

   
   Loss of Licence Cover is not excluded for members whose Class 1 Medical Certificate has been affected due to having contracted the Virus, or have had an allergic reaction to the vaccine.

1. Not receiving our email communications?

   
   Always check your Junk/Spam folders if you are expecting email communication from MBF

2. Forgotten Password -

   
   If you have forgotten your password, please use the Forgot your Password? feature below the login area. You will be asked to verify your account with some personal details and an email link will be sent to reset the password.

3. Autofill -

   
   A few members have advised problems entering data into somefields, especially when selecting Citizenship or Address. This has commonly been found to be cause by the web browser's Autofill function that tries to populate its saved data into these fields. Please see the attached document to learn how to disable or clear Autofill in your browser.