Australian graphic design platform Canva says a restructuring will affect 1,271 jobs, about 22% of its workforce, after its growth slowed for the first time in a decade.
Co-founder and chief executive Melanie Perkins told staff on Wednesday, November 4, Sydney time, that the changes would reshape how the company is organised, where some teams are based and what roles it needs. She described the decision as the hardest moment in Canva’s 13-year history, and 2026 as its hardest year yet.
An important clarification: the 1,271 figure covers all jobs affected by the restructuring — job cuts, role changes and relocations — not only redundancies. Reuters corrected its own headline and first paragraph to make that distinction, and Canva has not given a separate redundancy count.
What is changing inside Canva
Canva will merge its Product, Growth and Platform teams into a single Product Org, aimed at cutting handovers and giving teams clearer ownership. Management layers will also be removed as part of the overhaul.
Sydney will become the main base for more of its product teams, and some staff will be asked to relocate. From January, most hybrid employees will be expected in the office two to three days a week.
Canva employs more than 5,700 people across 37 countries, according to reporting of the announcement. The company has not disclosed which teams or countries are most affected.
Support for departing staff
Departing employees will receive at least six months’ salary, including any legally required entitlements, regardless of location, along with continued healthcare benefits in eligible countries and career transition support, according to reports of the company’s announcement.
Reuters also reported that Canva will provide $10,000 grants to departing employees for future endeavours. A company-wide meeting is scheduled for November 10 to discuss the changes, with organisational meetings to follow from November 11.
Why now: slower growth
Canva lowered its projected revenue growth for 2026 from 30% to 20%, according to Business Insider reporting cited in coverage of the announcement. It is the first growth slowdown in a decade for the Sydney-based company, which has grown from an Australian startup into one of the world’s best-known design platforms.
Reuters placed the move in a wider technology context, describing Canva as the latest technology firm to reduce headcount as the sector adapts to rapid advances in AI and changing business needs. That sector framing is not the same as saying AI replaced these specific jobs: analysis of Canva’s letter notes it does not explicitly mention AI or say particular jobs are being replaced by it.
Why it matters
Canva is one of Australia’s most prominent technology companies, and a restructuring affecting more than one in five jobs is a significant signal for the country’s tech workforce — and for the many small businesses, educators and creators who rely on its tools daily.
The Sydney concentration also matters for Australia’s tech geography: product work that was spread across hubs will increasingly be centred in Sydney, with relocation and office-attendance changes to follow in January.
What to watch next
The November 10 all-hands meeting is the next milestone, where staff questions are expected to be addressed. Further detail to watch includes the separate redundancy count, which teams and locations bear the largest share, and whether Canva gives a revised growth outlook alongside the restructure.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Canva laying off 1,271 people? Not exactly. Canva says 1,271 jobs are affected by the restructuring, including job cuts, role changes and relocations. No separate redundancy-only count has been disclosed.
Why is Canva restructuring? The company says growth slowed for the first time in a decade, and it lowered its 2026 revenue growth forecast from 30% to 20%.
What happens to departing staff? At least six months’ salary including statutory entitlements, continued healthcare in eligible countries, career support, and a reported $10,000 grant for future endeavours.
Sources
Reuters — Australia’s Canva to cut 22% of jobs as growth slows for first time in a decade (Nov 3, 2026; corrected to “jobs affected”)
The Hindu — Canva to cut about 22% of staff as growth slowdown triggers restructuring (Nov 4, 2026)
People Matters — Canva layoffs: 22% employees to exit, company offers six months’ salary (Nov 4, 2026)
Dealroom — Canva restructures 22% of its workforce, 1,271 roles, as growth slows (Nov 3, 2026)
