Optus to cut workforce by 400 in restructuring as company faces 'competitive and disruptive market'

Optus is shedding its workforce by about 400 roles in a restructure geared to assist the telco operate in an "increasingly competitive and disruptive market".

The telco confirmed on Tuesday that changes that are being made across the organisation include redundancies. 

"As part of our strategy, we are creating the next-generation Optus – a world-class, mobile-led, digital service provider which leverages technology to deliver more game-changing experiences and premium content to customers," an Optus spokesperson said.

"As we make these important strategic decisions, we will ensure we have the right skills and capabilities in place to build our digital organisation, remove duplication and establish a more sustainable cost base. 

"Certain roles will be impacted either directly or indirectly because of these changes, including approximately 400 roles which will be made redundant. Our policy is always to speak with employees who may be impacted by these changes first, including discussing redeployment opportunities."

The job slash news comes less than a week after Optus revealed it would shut down Virgin Mobile in Australia, which will result in the closure of some 36 stores across Australia and place about 200 jobs at risk.

That news drew the ire of the Communications Workers Union, which said it was a big blow to staff. 

“This is a devastating blow to the 200 workers and their families who have found out today that they no longer have a job,” CWU national president Shane Murphy said at the time.

“The Union will be doing everything we can to assist the impacted workers during this incredibly difficult time.

“Optus has publicly committed to helping the 200 workers who are now jobless find new work within the company and we’ll certainly be holding them to that.

Optus in January finalised an outsourcing deal with Nokia that put 170 jobs from its enterprise ICT division on the line, with Nokia to manage key component of the telco's mobile network infrastructure, operations and field management.