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Qantas has announced a new employee share scheme as it posts a $1.6 billion net profit after tax for the 2024-25 financial year.
The Flying Kangaroo saw a pre-tax profit of $2.39 billion, up 15 per cent on the previous year, translating to $1.61 billion after tax, up 28 per cent.
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Around 25,000 non-executive employees will receive $1,000 each in shares under the new scheme announced on Thursday, similar to a scheme announced earlier this year by Virgin to give employees $3,000 in share rights each.
Qantas has also announced plans to invest in a further 20 A321XLRs, 16 of which will have lie-flat business class seats.
“I want to thank our people who serve our customers with passion every day. They are the real stars of our performance and we are introducing a new employee share plan so they can share in our success,” said CEO Vanessa Hudson.
“As well as rewarding our employees, we have also resumed paying dividends. We have announced we will pay a base final dividend of $250 million and a special dividend of $150 million, taking dividends for the full year to $800 million.”
According to Hudson, Qantas and Jetstar have delivered their best on-time performance since 2019 and Qantas was the most on-time major domestic airline in the 2025 financial year.
“For everyone across the Qantas Group, this year has been all about delivery. While we are pleased with the progress we are making, we remain focused on further improving our performance and continuing to deliver for our customers, people and shareholders,” she said.
“Continuing strong demand across all market segments, combined with our dual brand strategy, helped the Group grow earnings.
“Qantas and Jetstar carried four million more customers during the year, while our Loyalty business grew as frequent flyers engaged with the program more than ever before.
“Our strong financial performance is enabling significant investment in new aircraft and customer initiatives, helping deliver better operational performance and customer satisfaction across both airlines.”
Jetstar also had a “standout year”, said Hudson, with “a significant boost to earnings” from its ongoing fleet renewal.
“In a high cost of living environment, Jetstar continued to provide value for customers, with around one in three travelling for under $100,” she said.
“Despite the strong performance across the Group, we saw some costs rise above the rate of inflation, which reduced the benefits of lower fuel.
“Transformation remains a priority given ongoing increases in airport and government charges, engineering and supply chain costs and the impact of Same Job Same Pay legislation.”
The TWU has called for Qantas to reinvest some of its profits into its workforce, with national assistant secretary Emily McMillan saying the carrier should “properly funding decent jobs for workers in its supply chain”.
“We are still yet to see concrete proof that Qantas has changed, and with the announcement of these near-record profits, now is Qantas’ chance to really show us,” she said.
“There are glimmers of change in the new leadership at Qantas but there is a significant uphill battle to upend years of antagonistic attitudes towards workers and ensure decent standards right across the airline’s supply chain.”
Qantas this month was handed a $90 million fine for the illegal outsourcing of ground workers in 2020, on top of $120 million in previously-agreed compensation.
