Hmmm, not so much. Everyone I know was 738 licensed and classic (freighter) licensed. So, no shortage of work for them going on current overnight workloads.
Even people in Melbourne who had 747 licences are now back in demand due to the return of 747 services to LAX.
Entire thing was a colossal management stuff-up and over reach.
Yes. I posted back in Nov 2012 that this would happen and no surprise when it does. Large companies like Qantas ALWAYS do a redundancy overkill because it suits them. They have shareholders to keep onside and must be seen to doing something to mitigate losses. Particularly Qantas, because they can't seem to find people who are good at determining numbers and classifications to go, and with an eye on the future.
I've watched them do this 3 times over the decades and they don't get any better at it. Only the names change.
I said then in that post that it would be 2-3 years and recruiting would begin again, but perhaps it might take a little longer in this case.