Qantas, Australia’s largest airline, is set to eliminate approximately 850 positions following a major outsourcing agreement with global technology consulting firm Accenture, with a significant proportion of the work expected to be transferred offshore.
Staff were notified of the changes via an internal email on Tuesday, outlining plans for redundancies as part of a broader restructuring of the airline’s corporate operations.
The initial phase will affect positions across several key business functions, including finance, procurement, human resources and marketing.
Under the agreement, the majority of Accenture’s services will be delivered from India, although some roles and operations will remain based in Australia.
Qantas Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson acknowledged the impact the announcement would have on employees, expressing regret over the uncertainty and disruption facing affected staff.
In her message to employees, Hudson said:
“I know this is hard news for some.”
She explained that the changes were intended to modernise the technology supporting Qantas’ operations, improve business efficiency and enable the airline to continue investing in its customers, employees and long-term future.
The announcement represents a significant shift in Qantas’ operating model and raises broader questions about the future of Australian corporate employment, the growing reliance on offshore service providers and the impact of outsourcing on the domestic workforce.