Australian airline Qantas is exploring a partnership with Accenture that could result in up to 1,000 back-office roles, including positions in human resources, finance and marketing, being moved to India as part of a wider business transformation programme.
According to reports, the proposal is linked to an internal initiative known as Project iQ, which aims to modernise the airline’s corporate operations through technology and artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative is intended to improve efficiency while allowing the company to focus more resources on customer-facing functions.
Qantas has confirmed that discussions with Accenture are underway but said no formal agreement has been reached and no decisions have been made.
The airline said it continues to invest in its frontline workforce and has added thousands of operational roles in recent years, including pilots and engineers. It also plans to recruit more employees for customer-facing operations over the coming years.
If implemented, the proposal would primarily affect corporate support functions rather than operational roles. Human resources, finance, marketing and other administrative functions are reportedly among those being considered for offshoring.
The move aligns with Qantas’ broader strategy to expand the use of AI and digital technologies across the organisation. The airline has been exploring ways to use AI to improve productivity and streamline operations, while maintaining that the technology is intended to enhance business performance rather than serve solely as a means of reducing headcount.
The reported partnership also mirrors similar arrangements between Accenture and other Australian companies, where technology-led transformation has been accompanied by organisational restructuring.
The proposal comes as outsourcing remains a sensitive issue for Qantas. In 2024, the airline agreed to pay compensation to former ground-handling employees following a court ruling that found its 2020 outsourcing decision unlawful. Although the current discussions relate to back-office functions, any move to offshore jobs is expected to attract close attention.
