You have questions, we have answers
Joining and Membership
General Information
- The Australian Air Pilots Mutual Benefit Fund (MBF) membership year runs from 1 May – 30 April each year
- Join Online applications reflect a pro rata Contribution rate up to 30 April
- Applicants cannot nominate a future start date of more than one calendar month nor a start date within the next MBF membership year
- The Renewals period occurs between 1 May and 31 May or a time prescribed by the Trustee
- You can update your personal details including beneficiaries by logging into your Member Portal
- You can access member documents by logging into your Member Portal Knowledge Base
- You can contact the Membership team by emailing membership@aapmbf.com.au or calling 03 9928 4500 and selecting Option 1
- 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 full financial member of AFAP. However, we operate as totally separate identities. The MBF provides its members with Loss of Licence Cover. You are protecting your Class 1 Medical Certificate.
What happens if I have not met my required Contributions payments?
Rule 3 (Contributions), Rule 10 (Cessation of Membership)
When joining the Fund, the required payment of your Contributions must be paid for your member application to be processed.
If paying your Contributions by monthly instalments, your credit card payment is processed on the first day of each month. Members who have not paid within 28 days, shall be deemed to have allowed their membership to have lapsed and shall not be entitled to any benefit. Membership will automatically cease.
Can I still be a member when unemployed from Piloting?
Rule 10 (Cessation of Membership), Rule 2 (Membership Eligibility)
You must advise MBF Membership when you change your employment status via the Member Portal.
Where a Member becomes an Unemployed Member, the Unemployed Member who maintains all other membership eligibility requirements can retain membership of the Fund for the balance of the Fund Year in which they became an Unemployed Member and a further period of up to three (3) years.
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.
Do I need to maintain a Class 1 Medical Certificate?
Rule 2 (Membership 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 Foreign Equivalent Class 1 Medical Certificate, however all benefit claims are based on the failure of the Australian Class 1 Medical Certificate standards.
A valid commercial pilot licence is also required by those who are employed and either actively piloting or stood down (so that they are able to accept employment in the profession of pilot).
If I gain employment air piloting one day a week, does that meet MBF membership requirements?
If that is your principal source of income, yes.
What happens if my employer has a Bulk Billing agreement with the MBF, but does not pay my loss of licence allowance directly to MBF?
Rule 3 (Contributions)
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.
What if I leave my Employer that has a Bulk Billing arrangement part way through the year?
Rule 3 (Contributions)
If your employment with your Bulk Billed employer ceases part way through the year, you will be liable for the amount that the MBF is required to reimburse to your employer.
Can I put my cover on ‘hold’ until I return to piloting?
Rule 2 (Membership 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.
Can I increase my level of Cover throughout the year?
Yes, you are able to increase your cover before the age of 56 via the Member Portal.
This will include completing a new Health Declaration and the increased amount may be subject to a Restriction (Zero/Limited) for any medical condition declared.
What are my payment options?
- Bpay
- Bank Transfer
- Credit Card
- Combination of Bulk Billed Employer Allowance/Member payment.
- If paying your Contributions by monthly instalments, your credit card payment is processed on the first day of each month. Members who have failed to pay within 28 days of the due date, shall be deemed to have allowed their membership to have lapsed and shall not be entitled to any benefit. Membership will automatically cease from their last financial date.
- There are no other fees and charges applied by the MBF when paying by credit card.
Will MBF cover me whilst I'm receiving a Third-Party liability payment?
Rule 6 (Restricted Benefits), Rule 7 (Monthly Benefits)
MBF will not make any payments of Benefits until such entitlement with any Third-Party such as but not limited to workers’ compensation, transport or other accident compensation, employer periodical payments (including ‘make up payments’), state / federal legislation, or public or other liability claims are exhausted.
If the aggregate payment amount received per month from the Third-Party or employer is less than the Claimants’ maximum rate of Monthly Benefits under Rule 7, a Claimant may be eligible for a partial payment for the difference between the Claimants’ maximum rate of Monthly Benefits under Rule 7.
Who is eligible to apply for a Refund of Contributions?
Rule 3 (Contributions), Rule 2 (Membership Eligibility), Rule 10 (Cessation of Membership)
In accordance with Rule 3, after 20 years of continuous membership or 25 years of aggregate Membership (when there has been a break in Membership), current or former Members may be eligible to make application to receive a refund of Contributions. Monthly benefits already paid will be deducted from the refund. Refunds will be capped at $75,000.
Applications for a Refund of Contributions must be made within 365 days of the Member qualifying to do so under the terms of the Rules.
Do I have to remain a member with AFAP once I become a member of AAPMBF?
Rule 2 (Membership Eligibility)
To maintain membership and to be eligible to apply for Monthly Benefits and/or a Capital Payment you must be a Financial Member of AFAP
How do I notify MBF of a change of my employer?
Members change/update their Employer details via the Member Portal .
What do I have to do if I want to resign as a member of the Fund?
MBF must be advised if you wish to resign from the Fund. You must complete the MBF Resignation Notification form found in the Member Portal.
What will my Contributions cost?
Please refer to the current Contribution and Benefits Scale.
Contribution costs and the maximum level of Cover available is based on the age at joining the MBF and the Member’s current age for Renewals or Increases in Cover.
To get an estimate on your cover and benefit options, please refer to our Quote Calculator.
How do I know how much cover I hold?
Please log into your Member Portal and check the Cover History.
Are there conditions that I am not covered for?
Rule 6 (Restricted Benefits), Rule 7 (Monthly Benefits)
Please refer to Appendix 6a of the Fund Rules for conditions that are ineligible for a Capital Benefit balance, and Appendix 7a for conditions with limited Monthly Benefits.
In addition to the Appendices, please refer to your Certificate of Membership for any Restrictions that may have been placed on pre-existing conditions (Zero/Limited Cover).
How do I update my Beneficiaries?
Beneficiaries can be updated via the Member Portal at any time.
To add an additional beneficiary and change the percentages, the new person needs to be added first and then once saved, the percentages can be adjusted and saved. Please ensure the amounts add to 100 percent.
Renewals
Why do I have to renew my membership and what do I have to do?
The AAPMBF Membership year is 1 May to 30 April for all members. Members are required to renew their membership when invite to renew in May.
Can I reduce my cover, and what do I have to do?
Rule 3 (Contributions)
To reduce cover outside of Renewals, Members can do so through the Member Portal.
The minimum cover a member can have is $100,000.
The Death Benefit cover cannot exceed the cover amount.
Can I increase my cover/How?
Rule 4 (Members Changing Benefit Amounts)
To increase cover outside of Renewals, Members can do so through the Member Portal.
An application for increase is considered a new application and a Health Declaration is required. Any pre-existing medical conditions declared are subject to restriction (Zero or Limited Cover) and will be reviewed by the Fund Medical Advisors and requires Board approval.
How much is next year going to cost?
Rule 3 (Contributions)
Please refer to the current Contribution and Benefits Scale.
Contribution costs and the maximum level of Cover available is based on the age at joining the MBF and the Member’s current age for Renewals or Increases in Cover.
To get an estimate on your cover and benefit options, please refer to our Quote Calculator.
What are my payment options?
Pay Annual Contributions (one lump sum):
- Bpay
- Bank Transfer
- Credit Card
- Combination of Bulk billed Employer Allowance/Member payment
- There are no other fees and charges applied by the MBF when paying by credit card.
Pay Monthly Contributions (12 monthly instalments):
- If paying your Contributions by monthly instalments, your credit card payment is processed on the first day of each month. Members who have not paid within 28 days, shall be deemed to have allowed their membership to have lapsed and shall not be entitled to any benefit. Membership will automatically cease.
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.
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.
What if I leave my Employer that has a Bulk Billing arrangement part way through the year?
Rule 3 (Contributions)
If your employment with your Bulk Billed employer ceases part way through the year, you will be liable for the pro rata amount that MBF is required to reimburse your employer.
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 Foreign 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.
How do I update my Beneficiaries?
Beneficiaries can be updated via the Member Portal at any time.
To add an additional beneficiary and change the percentages, the new person needs to be added first and then once saved, the percentages can be adjusted and saved. Please ensure the amounts add to 100 percent.
Claims
What is a Notification?
Rule 5 (Notification of an Aeromedical Significant Event/Condition)
To meet your obligations under the Rules, you must notify the MBF within 30 days of any event or medical condition that COULD cause your Class 1 Medical Certificate cancelled or suspended.
A Notification is not a Claim. It is a simple way of letting us know that:
- you are currently grounded (for example due to illness or injury and
- you are working towards getting your Class 1 Medical back
- but you are not yet claiming benefits
What is the 28-day eligibility period for making a Claim?
Rule 1 (Introduction and Definitions – Definitions: 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 exhaust all your sick/personal leave and/or
- at least 28 days has passed since the incident or illness, whichever occurs last.
Note: The 28-day eligibility period is not paid.
Does the MBF make back-payments?
Rule 7 (Monthly Benefits – Commencement of Monthly Benefits)
No, the MBF does not backdate Benefits.
Payments start only from the date your claim is approved by the MBF Board. As required under the Rules your claim is then reassessed every month by the Board at its meetings to determine if you are still eligible to receive benefit payments.
Do I have to pay tax on Monthly Benefits?
Yes. The MBF is an Australian entity and must withhold tax from all Monthly Benefits payments. This applies even if you are working overseas or normally don’t pay Australian tax.
Why do I have to provide medical reports?
Rule 7 (Monthly Benefits – Medical Assessment)
The MBF must follow its Rules when assessing claims. To do this, the Board relies on medical evidence provided by:
- your GP
- treating specialists
- hospital admission or discharge summaries
- treatment or recovery plans
While you are receiving benefits, you may be asked to provide updated medical reports to confirm you are still unfit to fly.
If I’m receiving funds from WorkCover, or any other authority, do I still qualify to receive MBF benefits?
Rule 6 (Restricted Benefits – Third Party Claim Liability ‘Top Up’ Payments)
If you are entitled (or would be) to a periodical or other payment from your employer or compensatory scheme (WorkCover, TAC, DVA etc), we won’t pay you at the same time. We may pay a monthly top-up though (if your monthly payments from say WorkCover are less than your MBF Monthly Benefit entitlement)
Once the third-party claim liability has been exhausted you can apply for a Capital Benefit Balance from us.
I have Income Protection or Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Insurance, can I still claim with MBF at the same time?
Yes. We do not offset against other commercial providers. Please check the offset rules with your commercial provider.
Why do I have to supply a letter from my employer confirming salary?
Rule 7 (Monthly Benefits – Rates of Monthly Benefit Payments)
Your Monthly Benefit is based on:
- your level of MBF cover, and
- your gross annual piloting income (excluding superannuation and irregular allowances).
The MBF must receive written confirmation from your employer to correctly calculate your benefit.
Are there conditions that Im not covered for?
Rule 6 (Restricted Benefits), Rule 7 (Monthly Benefits)
Please refer to Appendix 6a of the Fund Rules for conditions that are ineligible for a Capital Benefit balance, and Appendix 7a for conditions with limited Monthly Benefits.
Technical Support
Not receiving our email communications?
Always check your Junk/Spam folders if you are expecting email communication from MBF.
We also use Mailchimp subscription for mass emails and ClickSend SMS subscription for mass SMS texts. If you have unsubscribed from these, you will not get any of our regular communications to all members. If this is the case, please contact us asking in writing to have yourself resubscribed. We also use Sugar CRM for operational messaging.
Forgotten Password
If you have forgotten your password, please use the Forgot Password feature within the Member Portal login area. You will be asked to verify your account with your email and an email link will be sent to reset the password.
Autofill
A few members have advised problems entering data into some fields, 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.
Pop-up Blocker
Some Members have reported an issue where in their browser, when member click on Renew, if the Pop-Up Blocker in Safari is enabled, they will not see the new form for Renewals. Follow the below steps to enable for our site.
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- Click the three vertical dots (top right) and select Settings.
- Go to Privacy and security > Site settings.
- Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects.
- Select Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects to disable it entirely.
- Tip: To only allow certain sites, select Don’t allow sites to send pop-ups and add the aapmbf.com.au and portal.aapmbf.com.au URLs to the Allow list.
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- Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
- Click Privacy & Security on the left menu.
- Scroll to the Permissions section.
- Uncheck Block pop-up windows.
- Tip: Click Exceptions… to enter aapmbf.com.au and portal.aapmbf.com.au to allow.
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- Open Safari and click on Safari in the top menu bar.
- Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions).
- Click the Websites tab and select Pop-up Windows from the left-hand menu.
- Adjust the drop-down at the bottom right to Allow for aapmbf.com.au and portal.aapmbf.com.au
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- Click the three horizontal dots (top right) and select Settings.
- Select Cookies and site permissions from the left sidebar.
- Scroll down to the Pop-ups and redirects section.
- Toggle the switch to Off (or Allow) to completely disable the blocker.
- Safari (iOS): Open the Settings app on your iPhone/iPad, scroll to Safari, and toggle Block Pop-ups to the Off position.
- Chrome (Mobile): Open the Chrome app, tap the three dots > Settings > Site settings (or Content Settings) > Pop-ups, and toggle them on.