Job security was previously uncertain when the New Zealand-based telco announced in November last year that it would move its call center operations to Glebe, Sydney as part of its centralizing "Hyperbaric" strategy.
All staff will continue working for AAPT until December this year when they will be re-employed by call center outsourcer Excelior, with some 20 employees relocating to work in the telco's new CBD headquarters.
AAPT consumer and small enterprise general manager David Watson said the deal was beneficial for the telco and its Queensland and Victoria-based staff.
"This is an excellent result for all of our people in Bendigo and Robina," Watson said. "We have been working hard to ensure ongoing, secure employment for the people in our call centers, following the announcement to transfer our call center operations to Sydney last November. I'd like to thank the people in Bendigo and Robina for their patience as we've worked through the negotiations."
AAPT public affairs general manager David Havyatt said local councils and state governments assisted with the transition.
"The fact that we achieved this was in no small part due to the close cooperation and support we received from local councils and state government agencies," Havyatt said.
Excelior general manager Greg Scott said the rural communities are a good location for the centers as they have developed infrastructure and education.
"Both Bendigo and Robina have good infrastructure and a large well educated population, important factors when considering the location of a contact center," Scott said.
Both Bendigo Community Telco and Telstra Country Wide offered to recruit any displaced staff following the November announcement.