The maintenance for Qantas is very expensive. Many comapnies have moved their base to China because the maintenance there is cheaper – Qantas hasn’t. That is why they have to keep cutting staff numbers etc.
National carriers that fly out from their national base are always the most expensive.
Salary is also very high at Qantas – a pilot makes about 500.000 dollars a year, a flight attendant about 100.000-200.000.