Qantas Axes 850 Jobs
Australian airline to outsource work to Accenture's India-based team as part of a larger trend of corporate layoffs in the country, with 4,550 jobs targeted in the past month
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Accenture will make an upfront investment to modernize Qantas' data platforms.
Qantas will start cutting jobs by mid-2027, affecting 3% of its Australian workforce.
Cuts will initially affect workers in finance, procurement, human resources and marketing.
Job cuts to begin in mid-2027.
Story published. Australian airline to outsource work to Accenture's India-based team as part of a larger trend of corporate layoffs in the country, with 4,550 jobs targeted in the past month
Qantas, the Australian airline, is set to cut 850 jobs as part of an offshoring deal with Accenture to modernize its back-end systems, processes, and data. The move is part of a larger trend of corporate layoffs in Australia, with over 4,500 jobs targeted for cuts or restructuring in the past month.
The deal between Qantas and Accenture is a multi-year agreement, with some services to be transferred to Accenture's large India-based team. The first changes are expected to take effect by midway through next year.
Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said the airline would consult with affected staff and unions before final decisions were made. The airline has stated that the decision is not a reflection of the contribution or commitment of the affected employees.
The layoffs are part of a larger wave of disruption to the Australian workforce, with companies such as NAB and Canva also announcing restructuring plans. NAB has targeted 2,500 roles for cuts, Canva has targeted 1,200 roles, and Qantas has targeted 850 roles, totaling around 4,550 corporate jobs.
## Why it matters The restructuring comes at a difficult time for Australian workers, with living costs surging and the unemployment rate reaching its highest level in nearly five years. A subdued economy, made worse by elevated oil prices, is also prompting companies to cut costs. The changes are expected to draw a strong response from unions that have previously battled Qantas over controversial outsourcing decisions.
The trend of corporate layoffs in Australia is likely to continue, with companies looking to cut costs and modernize their operations. The use of AI and technology is driving this change, with companies such as Qantas investing in these areas to stay competitive. However, the impact on employees and the wider economy is likely to be significant, with many workers facing uncertainty and job insecurity.
