News Corp has begun a round of mass-layoffs across its Australian publishing empire as the business looks to embark on a restructure that would see its assets split into three nationally centralised divisions - doing away with the formerly state-based structure.

The Guardian has reported that editor-in-chief of news.com.au, Lisa Muxworthy, and group director of News Corp's Editorial Innovation Centre John McGourty are amongst the first to go as a result of the restructure.

Rumours of the restructure were fueled when News Corp UK boss Rebekah Brooks and global chief Robert Thompson joined Lachlan Murdoch in Sydney last week. With staff reported to have been informed of the incoming changes on Wednesday, it is thought that announcement about the restructure is due imminently.

According to reports in several mastheads the new divisions would see metro titles in one silo, news.com.au and other free offerings in another, and The Australian and luxury magazines including Vogue in a third prestige category. The restructure was reportedly shaped by PwC consultants.

The new metro or 'tabloid' division looks set to be published by Mark Reinke, with Daily Telegraph editor Ben English and Herald Sun's Sam Weir have been handed expanded remits over the metro titles. English will helm the national news network and editorial staff for all mastheads, while Weir will add the Hobart Mercury and Weekly times to his portfolio.

Meanwhile, Pippa Leary becomes Managing Director of the Free News and Lifestyle division - which includes the news.com.au juggernaught, while Mick Carroll, who formally helmed the Saturday and Sunday Telegraph, all weekend editions and the network's Olympics coverage, has been made editor-in-chief of the free news division.

Prestige titles will report to Nicholas Gray, the current managing director, tech partnerships and subscriptions. The Australian editor-in-chief Michelle Gunn is set to expand her remit to include editorial responsibility for Vogue and other titles in the prestige category.

News Corp Australia declined to comment.