According to Fair Work, a contractor,
- Can delegate or subcontract the services to be performed to another person or business.
- Has a high level of control over the work they perform, their hours, work location and how they do the work.
- Bears the risk for making a profit or loss on each task. Usually is personally responsible and liable for poor work or any injury sustained while performing the task. As such, contractors generally have their own insurance policy.
- Uses their own tools and equipment
None of those apply to a pilot.
This is nothing more than a company trying to go cheap and not abide by the conditions of the award.