VA are facing some challenges getting the required numbers at the moment.
QF opening up their process is not helping, but neither is their integration model. The only way in now is either SO, FO on ATR in OZ or FO on 737 in NZ.
This is not the most attractive career path for most regional or military applicants I would suspect, and to make matters worse, less experienced candidates (or anybody for that matter) will not be offered a position unless they hold a multi crew rating, which incredibly the company are unable to offer in the endorsement process as VA themselves are not an approved MCR provider????
Even though nothing has been signed off yet, Tiger may offer a better path into the company than any other means. If they are part of the integration system, upon joining you will have a VA number at the bottom of the current list, as will any new hire direct into VA. The only difference being an opportunity to crew a jet based in Australia.
They really have gone from one of the more attractive employers to absolutely one of the least.