Canva Cuts 22% of Workforce in Major Restructuring
Canva has announced a major workforce restructuring that will affect 1,271 employees, representing approximately 22% of its global workforce. The Australian design platform plans to cut jobs, consolidate teams, and relocate some employees as it prepares for its next growth phase.
Announced on November 4, 2026, the restructuring follows Canva’s first slowdown in growth in a decade. Co-founder and CEO Melanie Perkins said the company must reconsider its organisational structure, staffing requirements and operating model.
The changes will affect employees across different roles and locations. However, Canva has not disclosed how many employees will leave. Some workers will instead move into different positions or receive relocation requests.
Perkins described the announcement as the most difficult moment in Canva’s 13-year history. She said smaller adjustments would not adequately prepare the company for the next decade.
Canva Combines Teams and Simplifies Management
The restructuring introduces three major organisational changes to improve accountability and reduce internal complexity.
First, Canva will combine its Product, Growth and Platform teams into a single Product organisation. Previously, these functions operated across separate teams, creating additional coordination and handovers.
As a result, the new structure will give smaller teams greater ownership of projects. It will also allow employees to manage more responsibilities from development through delivery.
Second, Canva plans to reduce management layers and consolidate overlapping roles. The company wants to remove unnecessary specialisations and give teams greater autonomy.
Third, Sydney will become the primary base for more of Canva’s product teams. As a result, some employees may need to relocate to centralised hubs to keep their roles.
Additionally, Canva expects most hybrid employees to work from the office two to three days each week from January 2027. The company says this arrangement will depend on individual locations and operational requirements.
The changes reflect Canva’s effort to simplify decision-making and improve collaboration across its global operations.
Canva Offers Financial and Career Support to Departing Employees
Alongside the restructuring, Canva has announced a support package for employees leaving the company. The package includes financial assistance, healthcare benefits and resources for career transitions.
Key provisions include:
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Six months’ salary: Departing employees will receive at least six months of salary, including applicable statutory entitlements, regardless of location.
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Healthcare coverage: Employees will retain healthcare benefits for 12 months in countries where Canva provides this coverage.
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Equity benefits: The company will remove the one-year vesting cliff for eligible employees who joined within the past year.
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Career assistance: Departing employees will receive individual coaching, interview preparation and 12 months of LinkedIn Premium.
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Technology equipment: Employees leaving the company can keep their Canva MacBooks.
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Future ventures: Canva will provide $10,000 grants to support employees pursuing new businesses or community projects.
The company will also offer continued access to its employee assistance programme for 12 months. This support will also extend to eligible family members.
Canva has also introduced an opt-in alumni talent directory to help departing employees explore professional opportunities.
AI Competition and Changing Technology Reshape Canva’s Strategy
The restructuring comes amid significant changes across the global software industry. Artificial intelligence is transforming how people create content, develop products and use digital platforms.
However, Canva has not explicitly identified AI as the direct reason for its workforce reductions. Perkins referred more broadly to new technology changing customer expectations and the way people create.
Meanwhile, Canva continues to expand its own AI capabilities. Its platform increasingly combines design tools, content creation and automated workflows.
The company now faces the challenge of adapting its internal structure while competing in a rapidly changing software market. Consequently, smaller teams and clearer responsibilities are central to its restructuring strategy.
Canva has grown into one of Australia’s largest technology companies, serving hundreds of millions of users worldwide. Nevertheless, its latest decision marks a significant organisational shift as it prepares for its next stage of development.
The restructuring also reflects wider workforce changes across the technology sector, where companies are reassessing staffing requirements, operational costs and investment priorities.
