6.3.17 Actual Earnings

Actual Earnings (AE) are defined in sections 92, 101, 105 and 115 for serving members, and section 132 for former members.  It is the greater of the following amounts:

• the weekly amount (if any) that the person is able to earn in suitable work; or
• the amount (if any) that the person earns for the week (including from allowances other than expense allowances) from any work that is undertaken by the person during the week.

AE for full-time serving members (whether a Permanent Forces member or a continuous full-time Reservist) is the amount the member actually earns for a week.

AE for a Reservist is what they actually earn from their ADF employment plus what they actually receive (or are able to earn) from civilian employment.

AE for a former member is what they actually earn or are able to earn from civilian employment.

Income protection insurance is not earnings from employment and should not be considered in the calculation of actual earnings.