How HCLTech Strengthened the Australia–India Technology Corridor

Context & Opportunity

The HCL Group began its journey in 1976 as one of India’s technology pioneers, who built the country’s first indigenous 8-bit microcompute and revolutionized PC adoption. Its flagship company, HCL Technologies Ltd (HCLTech), has now evolved into a US$14B+ global technology company, home to more than 226,500+ people across 60 countries and partner to 40% G2000 enterprises and 50% G500 enterprises. HCLTech’s DNA is defined by its deep engineering culture and the philosophy of “Ideapreneurship” has made innovation, empowerment, and outcome-driven delivery the cornerstones of its global success.

The company began its Australian operations in 1999, establishing its first office in Sydney to meet the region’s growing demand for advanced IT and engineering services. Recognising Australia’s strengths in talent, governance, and digital maturity, HCLTech positioned itself as a long-term partner in national digital transformation. In 2020, it strengthened its local presence through the acquisition of DWS Limited, a leading Australian IT and business consulting group renowned for quality and delivery excellence.

Australia’s high-value economy and its appetite for digital modernisation aligned perfectly with the company’s deep capabilities in AI, digital, engineering, cloud and software. At the same time, India’s vast technology ecosystem provided the scale and expertise to support Australian enterprises cost-effectively. Together, these strengths shaped a bilateral growth model, one that mirrored the broader opportunity emerging under the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA).

Strategy & Execution

Hybrid expansion model

HCLTech’s Australia strategy followed a hybrid expansion model, combining organic growth with strategic acquisition, notably that of DWS Limited. The company’s global delivery excellence and deep domain expertise enabled it to provide clients with end-to-end digital transformation solutions.

A defining pillar of its strategy was localisation through proximity and capability. HCLTech established offices in every Australian mainland capital, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Canberra, ensuring client intimacy and regional coverage. This approach has also created a cross-cultural delivery ecosystem where local hires worked with the company’s global experts to drive growth.

“Australia is not just a market for us, it is a hub of co-innovation and sustainable growth. Our future here is about deep partnerships, empowering talent, and delivering digital solutions that supercharge progress for enterprises and communities alike,” said Sonia Eland, Executive Vice President and Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, HCLTech.

To address Australia’s projected shortage of 286,000 tech workers by 2025, HCLTech launched TechBee, a pioneering early-career program for high-school graduates and Rise at HCLTech, an initiative to upskill under-represented groups including women and ethnic minorities. In partnership with RTOs and universities, these programs have created inclusive pathways into technology careers, highlighting HCLTech’s commitment to developing local talent and supporting the long-term growth of national economies and the global technology ecosystem.

By engaging with the Business Council of Australia and key policymakers, the company has been championing regulatory simplification and more efficient mobility processes between Australia and India. These efforts intended to strengthen the bilateral operating environment and position HCLTech as a trusted corporate voice in shaping future business policy.

“The future isn’t about choosing between people and technology. It’s about reimagining how the two work together, where human ingenuity and AI capability co-exist. This belief in balance defines HCLTech. Innovation, for the company, is as much about empathy and creativity as it is about code and computation,” added Eland.

Innovation remains the driving force behind HCLTech’s differentiation. Its proprietary platforms and solutions as well as deep partnerships with hyperscalers and global technology majors have helped it win multi-year contracts and engagements in Australia, spanning AI, Automation, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and application modernisation.

HCLTech has strengthened its global presence through strategic partnerships with leading technology companies. Drawing on its deep engineering heritage, the company has established collaborations that span the entire AI and technology stack. HCLTech is one of OpenAI’s first global strategic services partners, helping enterprises accelerate responsible AI adoption. The company has also integrated NVIDIA’s AI Enterprise software and Omniverse platform into its GenAI-driven solutions, enhancing software development, engineering simulation, and design processes. These partnerships reflect HCLTech’s commitment to enabling large-scale digital transformation and advancing enterprise innovation through applied AI and engineering excellence.

HCLTech’s long-standing partnership with Cricket Australia transformed the organisation’s digital experience boosting the Cricket Australia app rating from 2.2 to 4.7 stars. Partnerships like this not only elevated brand recognition but also demonstrated HCLTech’s capacity to leverage technology to delight millions of end-users globally across sectors.

Impact & Results

Over the past two decades, HCLTech has grown significantly, solidifying its position among the top three Indian IT service providers globally. In Australia, major contracts with clients across financial services, logistics, transport, public sector, retail, agribusiness and education have anchored the company’s recurring revenue base and deepened its strategic relevance to the country’s technology landscape.

The company’s local workforce is supported by a strong pipeline of home-grown talent from TechBee and Rise at HCLTech programs. These initiatives have produced a sustainable, inclusive talent ecosystem that addresses skill shortages while enabling economic mobility for under-represented groups.

From a bilateral perspective, the AI-ECTA has enhanced regulatory transparency, taxation efficiency, and professional mobility. HCLTech has focussed on local talent creation, while integrating its global expertise and delivery network more effectively with Australian clients. This multi-lateral approach, benefits India and Australia.

HCLTech’s ESG commitments extend far beyond compliance. In Australia, the company piloted its Net Zero Intelligent Operations (NIO) program to help manufacturing SMEs reduce carbon emissions. It has also partnered with the Jane McGrath Foundation and Cricket Australia to support their community initiatives.

HCLTech is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 and increasing the share of women in the workforce to 40% by 2030. These goals reinforce the company’s philosophy that sustainability and technology progress must advance together. Industry recognition underscores this impact. HCLTech is consistently rated a Leader in ISG Provider Lens (Australia)forSustainability & ESG Services and Microsoft AI Ecosystem Solutions,confirming itsstature as both an ethical innovator and a high-performance digital partner.

COMMUNITY

As a major Australian and New Zealand employer, HCLTech is committed to making a meanginful impact for the communities that we work and live in.

The company’s commitment to local capability goes beyond delivery centres. Through TechBee, it is investing in early career talent and creating pathways for young Australians to enter the tech industry and contribute meaningfully.

In New Zealand, HCLTech has successfully partnered with the Ministry of Social Development for its RISE program to reskill and employ the Maori and other long-term unemployed in the Waikato region.

HCLTech is the only India-headquartered technology company in Australia to embrace the Reconciliaton Action Plan, which reflects the company’s deep respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and its commitment to reconciliation. With initiatives such as the partnership with Warami Consultancy to support Need a Tutor® program, the company is working to create lasting impact and meaningful change in local communities.

Lessons & Insights

Cultural Adaptation Builds Trust

Regulatory & Policy Environment

Policy Engagement Creates Competitive Edge

ESG as a Differentiator

Partnerships as Market Multipliers

All information has been verified from primary company submissions, official filings, interview transcripts, and secondary materials cited in the References section.

Company Snapshot