Actual Earnings (AE) are defined in sections 92 [1], 101 [2], 105 [3] and 115 [4] for serving members. For former members, AE is defined under Section 132 [5] as the greater of the following amounts:
Section 181 [6] outlines the matters to be considered in determining actual earnings. AE does not include earnings from sources such as family trusts, rental properties etc. Only income resulting from the persons 'own labour' (i.e. work they are doing/able to do) is counted.
Links
[1] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00214/Html/Text#_Toc487202371
[2] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00214/Html/Text#_Toc487202386
[3] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00214/Html/Text#_Toc487202391
[4] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00214/Html/Text#_Toc487202408
[5] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00214/Html/Text#_Toc487202439
[6] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00214/Html/Text#_Toc487202516