Canva cuts 1,271 roles in push to consolidate global operations
The Australian design firm is eliminating or relocating 22% of its staff to reduce management layers and centralize teams, a move that mirrors a sector-wide shift toward physical proximity and efficiency.
By Carmen Wojcik ·
Canva will cut or relocate 1,271 employees, a reduction of 22% of its global workforce, as part of a structural overhaul announced this week. The company stated the changes aim to collapse management layers and bring more teams together in person. This represents the largest single reduction in the firm's thirteen-year history and affects staff who helped build the Australian-founded platform.
The restructure reflects a wider trend in the technology sector, where companies are adjusting to competition from cheaper artificial intelligence tools. While many peers have explicitly cited AI as a driver for change, Canva did not mention the technology in its announcement. Instead, the focus remains on physical consolidation and operational streamlining.
Melanie Perkins, the company's chief executive, told staff in an email on Wednesday that the restructure is the hardest moment in the company's history. She acknowledged that some employees would face role changes or requests to relocate to centralized hubs. Perkins also recognized the difficulty of saying goodbye to teammates who have been instrumental in the company's growth.
The company noted that relocating is a major decision for affected staff. Perkins stated that Canva is committed to making the process as smooth as possible with comprehensive support. She did not specify the exact number of job losses, only confirming that 1,271 people would be impacted by the restructure.
Employees leaving the company will receive at least six months of salary. They will also retain healthcare coverage for an additional 12 months in countries where such benefits are standard. Departing staff can keep their company laptops and are eligible to apply for grants of US$10,000, or A$14,000, to start their own ventures.
Canva has long been viewed as a leading Australian startup with potential for a major Nasdaq listing. Its move adds to a series of recent restructures in the software industry. Atlassian recently cut 1,600 jobs, while Block and WiseTech Global also implemented workforce reductions.
The firm is part of a group of established software companies that have responded to market pressures by overhauling business models. Although some have dismissed the idea of an AI-driven obsolescence of specialized software, many have aggressively adopted new tools or restructured operations to maintain competitiveness.
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