Telstra cuts 209 Jobs, to shift AI work to India

Telstra, the Australian telecom company, is cutting 209 jobs from its $700 million data and AI joint venture with Accenture, with part of the work being offshored to India. The joint venture, launched last year, is one of the biggest AI investments by an Australian firm and is 60 per cent owned by Accenture and 40 per cent by Telstra.

The restructuring is aimed at using Accenture’s global expertise and its specialist hub in India to accelerate

Telstra’s AI roadmap. By moving roles to India, the JV expects to achieve cost efficiencies and deliver improved customer experiences. The changes involve reducing positions where work is no longer required and transferring responsibilities to teams in India.

This development follows Telstra’s broader workforce reduction strategy. Less than two years ago, the company announced plans to cut 2,800 jobs, marking its largest downsizing in a decade. The latest cuts, though smaller, reflect Telstra’s ongoing shift toward automation and AI-driven operations.

India’s role in this restructuring is significant, as the JV will rely on Indian teams to modernize data and AI platforms, build a robust ecosystem, and embed responsible AI practices. The move underscores India’s growing importance as a global hub for technology and AI jobs, offering specialised talent and cost advantages.

Telstra’s leadership has previously indicated that embracing AI would reshape its workforce by the end of the decade. Clearly, global companies are increasingly turning to India for advanced technology roles while reducing jobs in their home markets.