More than 200 Telstra jobs are expected to be cut as the telco rolls out AI capabilities and sends some jobs to India.
Telstra and technology consultancy Accenture announced a $700 million joint venture (JV) through 2025 to drive efficiency, modernization and productivity.
A spokesperson for the JV confirmed on Tuesday that the team “has been informed of proposed changes to its workforce, including reducing roles where the work is no longer required, and transferring some work to the JV team in India”.
If the changes go ahead, affected team members will be helped to find new jobs at Telstra or Accenture, or have “access to our leading career transition program and severance benefits,” the spokesperson said.
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“These changes will see the JV harness Accenture’s global capabilities, advanced AI expertise and expert center in India to more quickly deliver Telstra’s data and AI roadmap.
“We anticipate that over time this will result in improved cost efficiencies and an improved experience for Telstra customers.”
It is understood that 209 jobs are at risk.
In 2024, Telstra announced it would cut 2,800 jobs from its enterprise business, which provides services to businesses and government agencies. It said that the cut will not affect retail customers.
In May 2025, Telstra said that “AI efficiencies” would allow it to reduce its workforce by 2030.
Telstra chief executive, Vicki Brady, said “AI will be a significant unlocker when it comes to enabling our workforce”.
The agent AI – which can operate autonomously – will work alongside Telstra staff, he said.
Optus has previously said AI will play a bigger role in telecommunications but humans will remain central.
Announcing the joint venture, Telstra said it would boost productivity and growth, “advance Telstra’s work to build a world-class data and AI ecosystem, modernize its data and AI platforms, and embed responsible AI by design”.
“We are entering a new era of AI-driven reinvention,” Julie Sweet, Accenture chairman and chief executive officer, said at the time.
