Western Australia's local defence capabilities and around 10,000 high-skilled local jobs will be supported over the next two decades thanks to an agreement announced between the State Government and the Commonwealth.
The multi-decade long agreement includes:
- Developing a dedicated joint forum to deliver the skilled workforce required to deliver and sustain critical Defence capabilities.
- Establishing the necessary infrastructure, including new common user facilities, to support industry at the Australian Marine Complex.
- Ensuring effective engagement across Commonwealth, State and Local governments and communities.
Establishing a consolidated Defence Precinct at Henderson is a vital next step in advancing continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia.
The Defence Precinct will be the home of depot-level maintenance for nuclear-powered submarines as part of AUKUS, which supports the diversification of Western Australia's economy.
The Precinct follows on from Defence's 2024 Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet Review and the 2023 Defence Strategic Review, both of which the State made submissions to. In these submissions, the State Government advocated for more large vessel infrastructure in Western Australia.
It also marks a significant milestone on the AUKUS pathway as Australia develops the capability to safely operate and maintain conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
The Defence Precinct is aligned with and supported by the WA Government’s Western Trade Coast Infrastructure Strategy, identifying critical infrastructure for de-constraining of the Western Trade Coast, of which the AMC is part of. It outlines infrastructure requirements to support supply chain requirements for industry, including shipbuilding and sustainment as a target industry for the region.
The Defence Precinct will also facilitate the construction of new landing craft for the Australian Army and General-Purpose Frigates for the Navy and include the necessary large vessel infrastructure to enhance Australia’s defence capabilities.
