Qantas has announced plans to cut around 850 jobs in Australia as part of a major restructuring programme that will see some work transferred overseas and an increased reliance on artificial intelligence (AI).
The Australian flag carrier confirmed the job cuts on Tuesday, November 10, after signing a multi-year agreement with global technology and consulting company Accenture.
The changes will primarily affect corporate and administrative employees, with some responsibilities transferred to Accenture teams based mainly in India.
Qantas expects the first changes to take effect by mid-2027, with further reductions planned over the following years.
The announcement has sparked criticism from trade unions, which have accused the airline of putting corporate interests ahead of its Australian workforce.
Which Qantas Jobs Are Being Cut?
The restructuring will initially affect employees in finance, procurement, human resources and marketing, with many positions based at Qantas’s head office in Mascot, Sydney.
Around 850 roles are expected to be affected, representing approximately 3% of the airline’s 28,000-strong Australian workforce.
Under the agreement, some services currently managed by Qantas employees will be transferred to Accenture, with most of the work undertaken by teams in India and some remaining in Australia.
Other responsibilities could eventually be handled through automation and AI as the airline modernises its operations.
Qantas has not yet identified every individual position that will be eliminated, and consultations with affected employees and their unions are expected to take place over the coming months.
Why Is Qantas Cutting Jobs?
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson informed employees of the decision in an internal email, acknowledging the uncertainty the announcement would create.
“I know this is hard news for some, and I’m sorry for the uncertainty it brings,” she told staff.
According to the airline, the partnership with Accenture forms part of a wider programme to modernise its ageing technology infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.
Qantas currently operates more than 1,000 legacy software applications, many of which were developed independently and were never designed to work together.
The airline believes integrating these systems and expanding its use of AI will help streamline administrative processes, reduce duplication and improve the experience for customers and employees.
Hudson said the pace of technological change was unprecedented and that businesses could not afford to stand still.
The restructuring comes as Qantas continues to invest in new aircraft and technology across its operations.
Unions Criticise Decision to Move Jobs Overseas
The Australian Services Union (ASU) has strongly criticised the announcement, questioning why hundreds of Australian jobs are being transferred overseas.
The union claims Qantas previously assured representatives that there were no plans to offshore Australian positions as part of its discussions with Accenture.
ASU Assistant National Secretary Scott Cowen said employees deserved an explanation for the apparent change in direction.
“Qantas staff have the right to an explanation,” he said.
Cowen also warned that workers should not be expected to bear the consequences of technological changes introduced by major corporations.
“AI is having a huge impact on workers across the country, but the cost of technology change should not be borne by the workers who have kept the airline running for years.”
The union is demanding greater clarity over which positions will disappear, how many jobs will remain in Australia and what support will be available to affected employees.
It has also called for meaningful retraining opportunities, suitable redeployment options and redundancy packages that recognise employees’ length of service.
Qantas has rejected claims that it previously promised jobs would not be moved overseas.
A spokesperson said the airline had discussed the possibility of transferring work to Accenture teams in India and Australia during meetings with union representatives over recent months.
What Happens Next for Qantas Employees?
Qantas says it will work with affected employees and unions before making final decisions about individual positions.
The airline has pledged to explore redeployment opportunities across the wider Qantas Group, including newly created jobs in Australia.
Retraining, reskilling programmes and additional employee support will also form part of the transition.
However, it remains unclear how many of the 850 affected employees will ultimately be made redundant and how many might secure alternative positions.
For those whose jobs are at risk, that uncertainty could continue for several months.
Are Qantas Cabin Crew and Pilots Affected?
Although the announcement represents a significant reduction in the airline’s Australian workforce, Qantas has not announced any cabin crew or pilot redundancies as part of this restructuring.
The initial changes are focused on corporate and back-office functions rather than employees working directly in flight operations.
Nevertheless, the decision highlights how artificial intelligence, automation and outsourcing are beginning to reshape employment across the aviation industry.
While AI is increasingly being promoted as a way to improve airline efficiency and customer service, the Qantas announcement also raises questions about what that technological transformation could mean for aviation workers in the years ahead.
What are your thoughts on AI in the aviation industry? Let us know in the comments.
© Confessions of a Trolley Dolly