Telstra, Australia’s largest telecommunications company, recently announced plans to cut up to 2,800 jobs. This decision, which will affect approximately 9% of its workforce, is part of a broader trend reflecting the slowing Australian economy and rising unemployment rates.

Telstra’s CEO, Vicki Brady, stated that the majority of the job cuts would occur by the end of this year. She acknowledged the uncertainty such changes can create for their employees and promised to support them through this transition with care and transparency.

This announcement comes at a time when Australia’s economy is showing signs of slowing down. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has noted that the economy has lost momentum, and unemployment rates have risen to 4.1% in April, up from 3.9% in March. These figures indicate a tightening labour market and a slowing economy, trends that are expected to continue into 2024.

The job cuts at Telstra are part of a larger strategic shift by the company. Telstra is embarking on significant cost reductions and other adjustments to reset its troubled Enterprises division. The company anticipates one-off restructuring costs of $200 – $250 million across FY24 and FY25. With all actions outlined, Telstra anticipates achieving $350 million of its T25 cost reduction ambition by the end of FY25.

However, these job cuts have raised concerns about the level of service Telstra can provide to its customers. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has expressed concerns about maintaining customer service levels after cutting 9% of the workforce.

The slowing Australian economy and rising unemployment rates are not isolated to Telstra. They reflect broader economic trends in the country. The RBA has noted that Australia’s unemployment rate will rise materially in 2024 amid the slowing economy. This economic slowdown is by design, not default, as the RBA raised rates to a restrictive setting to slow economic growth to a below-trend pace.

In conclusion, Telstra’s decision to cut jobs is a reflection of the broader economic trends in Australia. The slowing economy and rising unemployment rates are challenges that businesses and the government will need to address. As Australia navigates these economic headwinds, companies like Telstra will continue to adapt and make difficult decisions to ensure their sustainability.