ASX-listed rail company Aurizon confirms 200 job cuts in cost-savings push
National railroad freight company Aurizon will slash 200 full time jobs in a dramatic cost-savings push.
The cuts – first flagged in May – were confirmed on Monday morning by the company’s executive Andrew Harding in Aurizon’s full year results for the 2025 financial year.
“Our cost reduction program also reflects the discipline with which we are delivering our strategy,” he said.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“By reshaping Aurizon into a leaner, more agile organisation, we are positioning the business to compete effectively, capture growth opportunities as well as efficiently navigate market conditions.”
The company had initially targeted $50m in savings, but Mr Harding said a further $10m had been identified.
“All $60m has been actioned and will flow through in its entirety in FY26 and includes a reduction of approximately 200 full-time equivalent roles,” he said.
The company has 4,445 employees nationwide.
The jobs cull comes as the company reported a sharp slump in profits over the year.
Aurizon delivered $303m in net profits after tax, a 25 per cent fall from the previous year, even as revenues lifted 3 per cent to $3.95bn.
The company’s core business is hauling bulk commodities like coal, iron ore and minerals from mines to ports across a vast network of rail lines.
It manages more than 5100km of track, including the 2670km Central Queensland Coal Network, linking more than 50 mines to five export terminals and the 2100km Tarcoola to Darwin railway linking South Australia to the country’s northernmost port at Darwin.
The company is trying to diversify its business, which is currently tilted towards coal, to capture more “future-facing” commodities.
Coal freight accounted for a nearly one third of the company’s earnings across FY25.
In June, Aurizon announced it had secured a 15-year contract with BHP to carry 1.3 million tonnes to and from the miner’s copper operations at Olympic Dam, Prominent Hill and Carrapateena in South Australia.
“These contracts represent a major milestone in the delivery of Aurizon’s bulk strategy,” Mr Harding said at the time.
“It demonstrates the growth opportunities available for our bulk business moving into new geographies and expanding markets for future-facing commodities such as copper, where the global demand is projected to increase significantly.”
Aurizon expects the BHP deal to deliver revenues of $1.5bn in the first 10 years.
It also suffered from the collapse of the Whyalla steelworks and is owed tens of millions in unpaid debts from the steelmaker.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has been contacted for comment.
Originally published as ASX-listed rail company Aurizon confirms 200 job cuts in cost-savings push
