Qantas plans 850 Australian job cuts in AI overhaul involving India outsourcing
Qantas has signed a multi-year agreement with Accenture as it prepares to cut local jobs and transfer some services to India, with staff and union consultation ahead of final decisions.
By Ricardo Brooks ·
Qantas is preparing to eliminate 850 jobs in Australia as part of a technology and artificial intelligence overhaul that will move some work offshore. The proposed changes make the airline the third major company to announce a restructuring affecting Australian workers in three weeks, following Canva and National Australia Bank.
The airline announced on Tuesday, November 10, that it had reached a multi-year agreement with professional services company Accenture. The arrangement covers the modernisation of Qantas’s internal systems, processes and data as the carrier increases its investment in technology and AI. Accenture’s large team in India will take over some services.
Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson said employees affected by the proposal and their unions would be consulted before the airline reached final decisions. The first changes are due to begin by the middle of 2027. Hudson described the pace and extent of technological change as unprecedented for businesses in generations.
Acknowledging the impact on employees, Hudson said: “We know this will be difficult news for some of our people and this decision is not a reflection of their contribution or commitment.” The proposal is expected to provoke a strong reaction from unions, which have previously challenged Qantas over controversial decisions to outsource work.
The announcement adds to a series of corporate changes affecting thousands of positions. Across NAB, Canva and Qantas, about 4,550 jobs have been identified for cuts, relocation or restructuring over the past month. That total includes 2,500 roles at NAB, 1,200 at Canva and the 850 Australian jobs at Qantas.
Those plans come as Australian workers face sharply rising living costs and an unemployment rate at its highest point in almost five years. Companies are also seeking savings in a subdued economy, with high oil prices linked to the Iran conflict adding to the pressure.
For Qantas, higher jet fuel costs have been partly cushioned by sales to new customers who cancelled bookings with airlines operating flights through Middle Eastern stopovers and switched to the Australian carrier.
In a market update issued late last week, Qantas said passenger demand remained resilient. The airline nevertheless said it would keep adjusting ticket prices and capacity in response to fuel costs.
