Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Whyalla steelworks begins redundancies after blast furnace closure
The Whyalla steelworks in South Australia is beginning job cuts after its blast furnace permanently closed last month.
More than 250 employees have accepted redundancies, and the first group will leave by Friday.
The plant’s direct workforce is expected to fall from 1,700 to 1,200, while at least 300 contractor roles will also be affected.
Some workers are leaving because their roles are no longer needed, while others may apply for voluntary redundancies or early retirement.
The final number of redundancies is expected by November, which will help determine how many remaining workers can be redeployed.
The steelworks has been under administration since early 2025, and a buyer is expected to be announced by the end of 2026.
The changes matter to workers and the town, where some employees face uncertainty about jobs and income.
More than 250 Whyalla steelworks employees have accepted redundancies since the blast furnace permanently closed last month.
The first group of workers leaving will finish this week.
The closure is expected to cut the plant’s direct workforce from 1,700 to 1,200.
At least 300 contractor roles will also be affected.
The final number of redundancies is expected to be known by November.
- Who
- Whyalla steelworks employees, including more than 250 who have accepted redundancies.
- What
- The first group of workers leaving after the blast furnace closure will finish this week.
- When
- The first departures are due by Friday.
- Where
- The Whyalla steelworks in Whyalla, Australia.
- Why
- The blast furnace has permanently closed, reducing the workforce required at the plant.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The steelworks was forced into administration.
The blast furnace permanently closed.
The first group of workers who accepted redundancies is due to leave.
Union organiser Shane Karger expects about 270 direct employees to accept genuine redundancies.
The final number of redundancies should be known.
- Direct workforce
- Expected to fall from 1,700 to 1,200
- Contractor roles
- At least 300 affected
- Accepted redundancies
- More than 250 employees
- Expected genuine redundancies
- About 270 direct employees by the end of the month
- Final redundancy count
- Expected by November
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What people are saying
There's been a lot of emotion,
You've got other workers that are looking forward to a well-earned rest after a very long career at the steelworks.
I haven't really felt secure,
I'm just a bit over all of it, to be honest.