Telstra lays off Ballarat call centre contractors

Telstra has confirmed that 79 contractors at its Ballarat call centre have been laid off due to "fluctuations" in the amount of workload available.

The centre, which provides back-end and front-of-house customer assistance, will retain 200 employees and was not closing, a spokeswoman told iTnews.

She said that Telstra used contract agencies to source personnel "to help manage fluctuating workloads".

"We advised the agency that 79 roles were no longer required and the agency today advised their staff," the spokeswoman said.

"We're constantly reviewing our staff needs. It's why we hire agencies because our workloads constantly fluctuates at different times of the year."

Ballarat's Courier newspaper reported comments from opposition treasury spokesman Tim Holding, seeking an assurance from the State Government "that it has done everything possible to try and prevent these job losses."