Why is Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) considering an outsourcing deal with Accenture (NYSE:ACN)?

Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) is negotiating with Accenture (NYSE:ACN) to reduce operational costs and modernise administrative functions using artificial intelligence.

What are the key financial numbers reported by Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) alongside this decision?

Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) recorded an underlying profit of $2.39 billion in the last financial year while committing $15 billion to fleet renewal. The airline expects to manage a $60 million surge in labour costs through operational savings while maintaining $230 million in customer service investments.

How is the workforce at Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) impacted by the proposed Project iQ?

Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) is considering outsourcing up to 1000 back-office roles in marketing, finance, and human resources to India. The airline stated that it plans to reinvest cost savings into adding thousands of local operational roles in Australia.

What does the current planning stage mean for the Project iQ timeline at Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN)?

Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) expects to make a formal decision on whether to proceed with Accenture (NYSE:ACN) later this year. A spokesman stated that discussions remain in early stages with no binding agreement currently in place.

How is the proposed offshoring strategy by Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) reflected across other Australian market leaders?

The proposal from Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) aligns with broader domestic trends, following similar offshore staffing initiatives executed by Woolworths (ASX:WOW), National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB), and Telstra (ASX:TLS). These corporate restructures aim to curb rising labour expenses and integrate global technology capabilities.

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Qantas considers outsourcing 1,000 roles to India

Written by Jon CuthbertPublished Aug 3, 2026, 10:46 PM

Qantas is reportedly in discussions to outsource up to 1000 back-office positions to India.
The airline aims to offset $15 billion in fleet renewal.
The initiative uses artificial intelligence to overhaul administrative functions while expanding local Australian operational jobs.

Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) is reportedly negotiating with Accenture (NYSE:ACN) to outsource up to 1000 back-office roles to India under a plan named Project iQ.

The proposal follows the airline reporting an underlying profit of $15 billion on new aircraft.

A Qantas spokesman confirmed the early-stage discussions, with a decision on the initiative expected later this year.

Qantas stated that its annual wages bill grew by $60 million following industrial relations changes, prompting measures to generate cost savings.

Following the announcement, the Qantas share price was unchanged at $10.32.

CEO Vanessa Hudson previously allocated $230 million towards customer service improvements to rebuild sentiment after taking leadership in 2023.

Other major domestic companies including Woolworths (ASX:WOW), National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB), and Telstra (ASX:TLS) have recently executed similar offshore staffing arrangements.

Qantas considers outsourcing 1,000 roles to India

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