The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is bracing for significant job cuts as it undergoes its fourth restructuring in a decade. This latest wave, which could potentially impact 50 positions, is expected to primarily affect roles related to digital content creation and innovation, with a particular focus on material aimed at youth audiences.
The restructuring marks the first major initiative under the leadership of new managing director Hugh Marks. An internal document seen by Crikey outlines the proposed changes, which include the creation of a new “Digital Content” department and the winding down of the “Innovation Lab,” a program established in 2018 to experiment with new content and technology.
Impact on Youth-Focused Content
The proposed cuts have raised concerns about the ABC’s ability to engage with younger audiences. The “Proposal for Change” document details how the restructuring will affect specific roles and sections within the broadcaster. While some roles will be shifted or altered significantly, others face elimination altogether.
A spokesperson for the ABC emphasized that the broadcaster will continue to prioritize youth engagement. “Under the proposal, we would establish a new Digital Content department within our Screen division, aligning directly with our screen genres and commissioning process,” the spokesperson told Crikey. “This is in addition to all the digital and social roles and teams within the ABC News and Audio division.”
Restructuring Details and Employee Impact
The document categorizes the jobs affected by the restructuring into four groups: no impact, similar/mapped, similar/mapped to placement pool, and not mapped/potentially displaced. Employees in “mapped” roles will be redeployed, while those in “placement pools” will compete for new positions.
Among the proposed changes, an EL1 social media manager role in Ultimo would be elevated to an EL2 head of digital and social content role. Meanwhile, a band 6 social media producer in Brisbane is set to transition to a band 7 digital lead for arts and events. Conversely, a band 9 arts, culture, and entertainment editor role in Southbank would be downgraded to a band 8 arts lead.
19 employees are expected to compete for nine roles, with nine digital producers and reporters vying for three arts journalist positions and a digital producer role.
Historical Context and Future Implications
This restructuring echoes similar changes made in 2023 under former managing director David Anderson, which saw the radio division abolished and integrated into a broader content division. That decision was reversed in 2024, elevating radio to a standalone audio division under the executive team.
As the ABC navigates these changes, the broadcaster’s ability to adapt to the evolving media landscape remains a critical concern. The proposed restructuring is subject to consultation and could be implemented as late as September 1, 2025. The ABC has indicated that no further comments will be made until the consultation process is complete.
For those affected by the changes, the next steps involve navigating the placement pools and potential redeployments. The ABC’s commitment to maintaining its engagement with youth audiences will be closely scrutinized as the organization seeks to balance innovation with fiscal responsibility.
In the meantime, stakeholders and employees alike await the outcome of the consultation process, which will ultimately determine the future structure and focus of one of Australia’s most prominent media organizations.
