The pilots union has accused airline Jetstar of training cadets overseas to avoid Australian workplace laws.

The International Pilots Association's Richard Woodward says Jetstar advertised the cadet scheme as based in New Zealand.

Mr Woodward says apart from three days in that country, they train in the UK and Australia, but are paid in New Zealand dollars.

"I think it's basically a sham, because none of these cadets spent more than three days in New Zealand ... only to do some observation flying on aeroplanes, get a bank account, and get a tax file number," he said.

"They've never been resident in New Zealand, they've always been in Australia, and they've always been flying registered aeroplanes."

Mr Woodward says they have now been stood down after finishing their training.

"We're getting a strong indication that Jetstar's going to try and give these young fellows an individual contract and most likely try and pay them under what's called the modern award, which is the minimum award conditions for a pilot in Australia," he said.

"We certainly wouldn't like to see that. We think that if you checked out as a Jetstar first officer, you're a Jetstar first officer, you should get the same pay as any other Jetstar first officer."

Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway has denied the allegations.

"Jetstar has an accredited pilot cadet training arrangement with two of the world's leading providers of pilot training, one of which is CTC group - which are a UK-based entity - which has a large training academy in Hamilton in the north island of New Zealand," he said.

"Jetstar has a large airline operation in New Zealand, our pilots, our cadet pilots will operate aircraft in New Zealand."