Why are Qantas job cuts trending in Australia?
Qantas announced plans to cut 850 corporate jobs and outsource roles to Accenture, primarily to India, as part of a cost-saving and technology modernization effort. The move has sparked criticism from unions over offshoring and potential local job losses.
What happened
- 10 Nov 2026, 09:30 UTC
Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson confirms 850 job cuts via staff email, citing a multi-year outsourcing deal with Accenture. Most affected roles are in finance, procurement, marketing, and HR, with services moving to India. [1][2][3]
- Earlier
Qantas reported a 2025/26 net profit of $1.3 billion (down 19.8% year-on-year) and warned of fare hikes due to rising fuel costs. [2]
What you need to know
850 corporate roles will be cut 'over coming years', starting mid-2027. [1][2][3]
Affected departments include finance, procurement, marketing, and human resources. [1][2][3]
Qantas shares rose 6% after the announcement. [1]
The airline received taxpayer subsidies during the COVID-19 pandemic. [1]
The exact number of roles moving to India versus remaining in Australia is unclear, though Accenture will deliver 'most' services from India. [1][2][3]
Background
Qantas employs 28,000 staff in Australia and 4,000 globally. [3]
The airline spends over AU$1 billion annually on technology, with 1,000+ legacy IT systems needing modernization. [1][3]
CEO Vanessa Hudson cited AI adoption and efficiency as key drivers for the Accenture deal. [1][2][3]
Unions warn this could set a precedent for further offshoring by Australian corporations. [1]
Questions people ask
Why is Qantas cutting jobs?
Qantas says the cuts are part of modernizing its technology systems, adopting AI, and improving efficiency to remain competitive. [1][2][3]
What's the union's response?
The Australian Services Union (ASU) criticized the move, accusing Qantas of breaking earlier promises and prioritizing profits over local workers. [1]
How will this affect customers?
Qantas claims the changes will improve customer service through better technology, but fare hikes were flagged separately due to high fuel costs. [2][3]
Where this came from
[2] canberratimes.com.au
Qantas to slash hundreds of jobs, send roles overseas
Preview image from canberratimes.com.au
[3] bbc.com
Qantas to outsource 850 local jobs with most roles moving to India
Preview image from bbc.com
Found through Google Trends and drafted with AI from at least two cited sources. Published automatically after passing our automated checks for sources, wording and safety. It may not have been reviewed by a person yet. Report a correction.