KPMG announces 200 job cuts in Australia amid cost-cutting drive

KPMG is set to cut around 200 jobs in Australia, as the professional services firm accelerates an outsourcing strategy aimed at reducing costs and reshaping its operating model.

The job losses will largely affect administrative and support roles, the firm said, reflecting a move to shift selected functions to lower-cost locations. The decision was first reported by Business Insider Australia.

KPMG said the cuts form part of a broader effort to streamline internal processes and remain competitive as clients demand greater efficiency and value. The firm did not specify the locations or divisions most affected, nor provide a precise timeline for the reductions.

In a statement cited by Business Insider Australia, KPMG said it would offer support to impacted employees, including transition assistance, though details of redundancy packages and redeployment options have not been disclosed.

The move comes amid sustained pressure on professional services firms to manage costs as growth moderates and clients scrutinise advisory spending. Reuters has reported that global consulting and accounting firms have increasingly turned to outsourcing and automation to protect margins, particularly for back-office and non-client-facing work.

KPMG’s Australian workforce has expanded and contracted in cycles over recent years, tracking demand across audit, tax and advisory services. The firm employs tens of thousands of staff in the country and is one of the “Big Four” accounting firms alongside Deloitte, EY and PwC.

Industry analysts say outsourcing strategies are likely to intensify as firms invest more heavily in technology while seeking to keep headcount growth in check. Similar moves have been announced by rival firms globally, signalling a structural shift in how professional services organisations deliver work.

For KPMG, the challenge will be to balance cost discipline with service quality and staff morale, as competition for skilled professionals remains intense in core client-facing roles.