Mirror Review
November 4, 2026
Canva is facing a historic workforce shake-up, with its latest restructuring set to affect 1,271 employees.
Co-founder and CEO Melanie Perkins confirmed the Canva layoffs on November 4, 2026, setting in motion one of the most consequential changes in the design platform’s 13-year history. The changes will affect 22% of its workforce through job losses, role changes, and relocation requests.
Perkins called the decision “the hardest moment in our thirteen-year history.”
Canva Layoffs 2026: What Has Canva Announced?
The Canva layoffs 2026 announcement affects 1,271 employees through job losses, role changes, and relocation requests. The company is also reorganizing its teams and management structure.
Canva plans to combine its Product, Growth, and Platform teams into one Product organization. Canva will also simplify management layers, consolidate overlapping responsibilities, and broaden ownership within teams.
Perkins said Canva wants to return to “small, empowered teams” with the freedom to make decisions, take ownership, and focus on its community.
The Canva organizational changes include:
- Team consolidation: Canva will bring Product, Growth, and Platform together under one Product organization.
- Fewer management layers: Canva plans to simplify its structure and consolidate overlapping responsibilities.
- Sydney hub: Sydney will become the primary location for more product teams and selected other roles.
Why Is Canva Restructuring Its Workforce?
Canva is restructuring its workforce because growth has slowed and its existing team structure has created coordination challenges, according to CEO Melanie Perkins. Canva says fragmented responsibilities and repeated handovers have made it harder for teams to take ownership of larger projects.
In Melanie Perkins‘ Canva announcement, Perkins said Canva’s growth had slowed for the first time in a decade. She also explained that the existing structure required handovers between Product, Growth, and Platform teams, making it harder for employees to take ownership of broader projects.
Perkins wrote in the official Canva layoffs announcement:
“New technology is transforming what people can create, how they create it, and what they expect from the products they use.”
The Canva growth slowdown and organizational complexity are stated reasons for the changes. Although Perkins referred to changing technology, the announcement did not identify artificial intelligence as a direct cause of the layoffs or say that AI tools were replacing employees. Canva’s AI strategy should therefore not be presented as a confirmed reason for the job cuts.
How Will Canva Layoffs Affect Employees?
Under the restructuring, Canva employees will face changes to office attendance, team locations, and some role responsibilities. From January 2027, most hybrid employees are expected to work in an office around two to three days per week, depending on their area.
Canva plans to make Sydney the primary home for more product teams and selected specialist roles. Some employees will be asked to consider relocating to centralized hubs.
These changes form part of the broader Canva restructuring, alongside team consolidation and changes to employee responsibilities.
What Support Will Canva Provide to Employees Leaving?
Canva is offering financial, healthcare, and career transition support to employees departing as part of the restructuring.
According to Canva’s official announcement, employees affected by Canva layoffs will receive:
- At least six months of salary, inclusive of statutory entitlements, regardless of location.
- 12 months of continued healthcare coverage in countries where Canva currently provides it.
- Career support, including coaching, interview preparation, and one year of LinkedIn Premium.
- The option to keep their Canva MacBook.
- The opportunity to register interest in US$10,000 grants through the Canva Collective Fund for departing employees who want to start a venture or contribute to their communities.
The Canva workforce reduction also includes role changes and relocation requests. Canva has not provided a breakdown of how many employees fall into each category.
Canva Job Cuts 2026: What Happens Next?
Canva will begin implementing the restructuring through team consolidation, role changes, and relocation discussions. Employees affected by the Canva layoffs will receive individual meetings with senior leaders to discuss their circumstances and available support.
The Canva job cuts 2026 announcement does not specify how many positions will be eliminated outright. Further details from Canva may clarify how the restructuring will affect individual teams and employees.
