The Qantas Group and the SA Government have struck a commercial agreement to establish a Product Innovation Centre in Adelaide’s CBD—the first time the airline has located such a facility outside Sydney. The deal is projected to deliver more than 420 technology-related jobs in South Australia.
Alongside the announcement, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported a historic employment high in the state, with 986,500 South Australians in work and unemployment slipping to 4.3 per cent from 4.6.
Under the agreement, Qantas will consolidate its technology and digital teams into the new regional delivery hub, which will house UI/UX designers, software developers, business analysts and product owners. A dedicated local leadership team and in-house HR and admin staff will underpin the centre’s operations, while maintaining alignment with Qantas’s national operations in New South Wales.
The workplace will also partner with Adelaide University and the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML). Graduate talent from the university and scholarship support for PhD and Honours students in AIML’s Industrial AI programme are among the elements designed to build a pipeline of advanced AI and digital skillsets.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said his government is firmly focused on job growth, lifting economic complexity and improving living standards for South Australians. He welcomed the ABS figures and said the agreement with Qantas would boost highly skilled, high-tech jobs.
Industrial Relations Minister Joe Szakacs described the investment as a strong endorsement of South Australia’s economy and pro-business stance. He pointed out the state’s dedicated investment agency, Invest SA, has already secured more than $3 billion in projects in its first three years, and said the focus is on well-paid, secure roles that build the future economy.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said Adelaide offered world-class universities, a thriving technology sector and capacity to scale in-house capability. She said the centre will bring together top Australian talent to reshape how Qantas delivers for its customers, aiming for smarter, more seamless travel experiences.
Professor Jessica Gallagher of Adelaide University noted the strategic partnership with Qantas reflects a shared interest in innovation and technological advancement, especially in AI, workforce development and the future of Australia’s aviation sector.
While the headline number of jobs and the promise of high-tech development offer a positive outlook, some questions remain. The timeline stretches to the end of 2028, meaning many of the roles will roll out over several years. The precise mix of full-time, part-time or contract positions is not clarified in the release. Also, the broader economic impact on South Australia’s digital ecosystem will depend on how many of these roles remain based locally and the extent of transfer of technology and decision-making to the Adelaide hub.
For South Australia, the move marks a significant vote of confidence in its capacity to host advanced operations beyond the traditional aviation and manufacturing sectors. The success of the initiative will likely hinge on the delivery of promised jobs, the retention of graduates from the university pipeline, and the integration of the new centre into the local tech sector.
The agreement offers a practical step for the government’s ambitions to elevate the state’s digital capabilities and for Qantas to build out its innovation footprint beyond Sydney.
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