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Qantas to cut 850 jobs in Accenture technology outsourcing deal

Qantas is eliminating approximately 850 roles as part of a multi-year outsourcing agreement with Accenture, moving corporate and back-office functions offshore to India as the carrier accelerates its adoption of artificial intelligence.

Qantas airplanes parked on an airport tarmac seen through an aircraft window with a headline overlay regarding job cuts.
Image: @the_hindu

Australian carrier Qantas has agreed to a multi-year technology outsourcing deal with Accenture that will eliminate about 850 jobs in Australia. The carrier said the agreement involves outsourcing corporate functions as it adapts to the expanding use of artificial intelligence across the aviation sector.[1][2][4][6][7]

The outsourcing arrangement will shift head-office and back-office operations overseas. Most of the affected positions are scheduled to be reassigned to Accenture staff located in India.[5][6][7]

In a memo sent to employees, Qantas Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said the job cuts would be phased in "over the coming years," with the initial round of redundancies expected to take effect by mid-2027.[3]

Key facts

  • Qantas agreed to outsource corporate and technology roles to Accenture, eliminating about 850 jobs in Australia.
  • The restructuring is tied to Qantas's broader embrace and adaptation to artificial intelligence.
  • Most of the outsourced head-office and back-office roles will be reassigned to Accenture employees in India.
  • Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson stated in a staff email that cuts will happen "over the coming years," starting by mid-2027.

Sources · 6 sources

  1. BL

    Bloomberg@businessPost on X ·

    Qantas has struck a technology-outsourcing agreement with Accenture, removing about 850 jobs at the Australian airline and increasing its embrace of AI https://t.co/WSBIn2UjwJ

    Open source
  2. TH

    The Hindu@the_hinduPost on X ·

    Qantas said on November 10, it would cut ​850 jobs in Australia and outsource some corporate functions to ⁠consulting firm Accenture as it adapts to the increased use of artificial intelligence in the airline industry. Credits: Reuters https://t.co/9SPPxHL58s

    Open source
  3. TH

    The Hindu@the_hinduPost on X ·

    In an email to staff, #Qantas CEO #VanessaHudson said the jobs would be cut “over the coming years”, with the first round to happen by mid-2027 https://t.co/oTLa6kMbuk #JobCuts #AI https://t.co/0MXr7IwBce

    Open source
  4. FM

    Free Malaysia Today@fmtodayPost on X ·

    Qantas to cut 850 jobs as it rushes to keep pace with AI 👇🧵

    Open source
  5. ET

    Economic Times@EconomicTimesPost on X ·

    Australia's Qantas Airways to cut 850 jobs as AI takes off, back-office work shifts to India https://t.co/9dSOS1JXD1

    Open source
  6. TS

    The Straits Times@straits_timesPost on X ·

    Australia’s Qantas to axe 850 jobs in offshoring deal with Accenture https://t.co/2Hqh54C7Lq

    Open source
  7. MI

    Mint@livemintPost on X ·

    Qantas, the Australian airline is planning to outsource 850 jobs from its head office to Accenture under a multi-year agreement. Most of these jobs are set to be assigned to Accenture's employees in India. https://t.co/uAVR4Du0xa

    Open source