Canva Restructure Affects 1,271 People as Growth Slows

Jobs and roles affected

November 4, 2026 · 5:30 a.m. Central

Canva says a restructuring will affect 1,271 people, or 22% of its workforce, as the design software company combines teams and moves more product work toward its Sydney hub.

In a note published by Canva, co-founder and chief executive Melanie Perkins said the changes include people leaving the company, others changing roles and some being asked to relocate. The company did not give a separate total for departures. The 1,271 figure should not be read as a count of layoffs alone.

Perkins said growth had slowed for the first time in a decade. Reuters also reported the restructuring and the company’s stated reason.

What changes at Canva

Canva plans to combine its product, growth and platform teams into one product organization, reduce overlapping roles and put more product teams in Sydney, Perkins said. She argued that growing specialization and handoffs had made it harder for teams to own work from beginning to end.

Some staff will be asked to consider relocating. From January, the company expects most hybrid staff to spend about two to three days a week in an office, depending on their team, the note says.

Support and unanswered questions

Canva said people leaving under the changes will receive at least six months of salary, inclusive of statutory entitlements. Perkins said affected employees would be offered individual meetings, with processes varying by local requirements.

The company’s note does not say how many of the 1,271 affected workers are losing their jobs, changing roles or being asked to move. It plans a company-wide meeting on November 10 to discuss the changes.

Perkins cited changing technology and slower growth in explaining the restructuring. The announcement does not establish how many jobs, if any, are being replaced by artificial intelligence.

Where the changes are centered

Canva has teams in multiple countries. The star marks the approximate Sydney area, where the company says more of its product teams will be based; it does not identify an individual workplace.

What happens next

1. November 4, 2026 — Canva’s announcement was reported in Australia; the company began conversations with affected staff.
2. November 10, 2026 — Canva plans a company-wide meeting to discuss the changes.
3. January 2027 — The company’s updated hybrid-office expectation is due to begin.

Sources and visual credits

Canva: chief executive’s staff note · Reuters: restructuring · ABC News Australia: announcement.

Visual: conceptual design-software and workplace illustration, not a photograph of Canva employees or offices. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.