The pre-CFTS earnings are worked out by looking back at the period before the person began his or her last period of continuous full-time service. During this period, the person might have been a part-time Reservist as well as being engaged in work.

The person's pre-CFTS earnings have 2 components: pre-CFTS pay and reserve pay.

The person's pre-CFTS pay is based on earnings from work the person was engaged in before beginning the last period of continuous full-time service. The work engaged in might be civilian work or defence work (as some people become continuous full-time Reservists after being Permanent Forces members).

The person's reserve pay is based on earnings from service as a part-time Reservist.

However, for a person whose service injury or disease occurred while a continuous full-time Reservist, the Commission may determine pre-CFTS earnings by looking back at the period before the person last ceased to be a member of the Defence Force instead of the period before the person began his or her last period of continuous full-time service.