The problem with the salaries is that your company is going broke, and you are well overpaid in comparison with your competitors. So the company and their iconic pilots is attempting to fleabag on Australian taxpayer funds to sustain wages that are unsustainable.
And wages that massively overpay the skills and qualifications of the individuals.
The course to become a Qantas SO takes 12 months at Flight Training Adelaide , and is a vocational level course that any average year 12 grad who was motivated enough would have no issues completing.