More than 25 years ago, Indian tech company HCLTech opened its first Australian office in Sydney to deliver technical services to Australian customers. From this initial investment, HCLTech has grown to become a leading player in Australia’s technology sector.
Today, with over 2,400 employees across 6 cities, HCLTech is a trusted partner for a wide range of Australian customers, delivering industry-leading capabilities centred around AI, digital, IT engineering, cloud services and software.
HCLTech’s investment and growth in Australia has been an important step and contributor to its broader success in Asia-Pacific markets.
Early solutions to scaled success
HCLTech has grown from one of India’s pioneering technology firms into a global powerhouse, employing more than 223,000 people across 60 countries.
The company expanded to Australia in 1999 when the country’s technology sector was starting to evolve and grow. HCLTech’s timely market entry meant it could capitalise on Australia’s tech transformation to establish a leading position in the country’s A$167 billion tech sector.
Early market success allowed HCLTech to expand its presence, attract talent, build partnerships and deepen its engagement with industries across Australia. Today, its client portfolio includes leading banks, retailers, utilities, government at all levels and sporting bodies.
Sonia Eland, HCLTech Executive Vice President and Country Manager ANZ, reflects on Australia’s digitisation and the company’s growth.
‘We are a proud part of Australia’s transformation across industries and the public sector,’ she says. ‘Australia is a highly mature market, it’s competitive and it’s got great regulations. Now with AI in focus, it is a crucial market.’
Uplifting Australia’s AI capability
As Australia steps into an era defined by AI, HCLTech’s integrated strengths in digital, engineering and cloud position it as a strategic partner.
The company recently established an AI customer experience centre at its Sydney office. This is a first-of-its-kind facility in HCLTech’s global network, reaffirming Australia as a priority innovation market. It is also embedding Gen AI capabilities across its services, helping organisations not just adopt new tools, but integrate them into their operating models.
‘Whether it is our tech or our clients’, our priority is on uplifting AI capabilities across organisations so people can be more productive with their knowledge rather than feel threatened by technological change,’ says Eland.
HCLTech has opened an AI customer experience centre in Sydney and is embedding Gen AI capabilities across its services.
Investing in people and partnerships
HCLTech works closely with Australian universities, supporting early career programs at Macquarie University and transiting student management systems at RMIT University. HCLTech’s collaborations with universities allow it to respond to skill gaps while helping create a sustainable, future-ready workforce.
In December 2025, HCLTech announced a partnership with the University of Western Australia to co-develop globally accessible micro-credential programs in AI and cyber security.
‘The education sector is such a large industry for Australia,’ says Eland. ‘Our partnerships are important for a very simple reason — we have a very big passion in edtech and we are a net job creator.’
Furthering Australia-India connections
HCLTech’s success reflects Australia’s deepening trade and investment relationship with India. The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) came into force in 2022 and has been a major enabler of growth in the tech sector. This has allowed HCLTech to grow its Australian investments with greater certainty and market access.
HCLTech established a strong relationship with Austrade before it entered the Australian market. Austrade has provided extensive support to help the company invest, innovate and scale up. Introductions provided by Austrade also helped the company develop its profile and strategy in Australia.
HCLTech has also supported Australian tech businesses looking to grow in India through the Australia-India Business Exchange (AIBX), a program that fosters innovative tech partnerships between Australia and India.
With more than 25 years of success in Australia, HCLTech remains committed to its purpose: to supercharge local capability and advance Australia’s digital and technology ecosystem.
How Austrade can help
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) supports foreign investors to establish and expand operations in Australia. Our experts in Australia and around the world can help you through every stage of your investment journey.
We offer the latest industry insights, connections with key stakeholders and decision-makers, and virtual or physical site visits to Australia. Thousands of foreign businesses have worked with us to tap into the Australian market.
For information on investment opportunities in Australia, contact an Austrade investment specialist.
Go further, faster with Austrade
Subscribe to the Investment Update newsletter to find out about new investment opportunities, insights and investor success stories across Australia.