29 January 2025
Western Australia’s defence industry is rapidly expanding!
The establishment of a Defence Precinct at Henderson is set to underpin tens of billions of dollars of Commonwealth Government investment in defence capabilities in WA over the next two decades, which is projected to support 10,000 well-paid, highly-skilled jobs.
Within the next two to five years, skilled workers will be needed across a variety of fields such as:
- electrical trades;
- mechanical and fabrication trades;
- pipefitter and metrology advanced trades;
- electrical, mechanical, software, and system safety engineering;
- cyber security;
- computer-aided design;
- electronics and communications;
- entry-level nuclear skilled qualified and experienced personnel;
- safety and certification (including nuclear); and
- non-destructive testing.
Work on the Australian Army’s landing craft is set to begin in Henderson in 2026 and will create approximately 1,100 new jobs. These new jobs are in addition to the ongoing workforce needed to sustain the Collins Class submarines.
The Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West) initiative will see HMAS Stirling at Garden Island host the rotational presence of UK and US nuclear-powered submarines from 2027, which is expected to generate 500 local jobs for Perth’s South Metropolitan Region.
Work to design, build and sustain the Australian Navy’s new frigates, surface vessels and patrol boats is set to begin within the next decade, creating approximately 1,200 new jobs with businesses located within the Western Trade Coast (Munster to Rockingham).
Contingency and depot-level submarine maintenance activities at the Defence Precinct are expected to create around 3,000 jobs in Western Australia.
Further to nuclear-powered submarine sustainment and maintenance work and naval shipbuilding, infrastructure upgrades at HMAS Stirling for SRF-West will also create 3,000 direct jobs.
The Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence launches
The State and Commonwealth Governments have recently announced the establishment of a $14.6 million Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence (CoE).
This joint investment will establish WA as the nation’s leader in defence industry workforce development, playing a crucial role in strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability.
Leveraging our long-standing partnerships with defence industry stakeholders, South Metropolitan TAFE (SM TAFE) will lead the Defence Industry Skills CoE in the design and delivery of training programs for the industry’s emerging skills needs to ensure the State has a growing pipeline of skilled workers to deliver current and future defence work as outlined above.
As a priority, the Defence Industry Skills CoE will develop and deliver AUKUS skills and trades training to equip WA’s workforce to undertake nuclear-powered submarine maintenance and sustainment work, and naval shipbuilding, sustainment and maintenance activities.
Industry and the community will have access to Defence Industry Skills CoE’s services and training opportunities at SM TAFE’s strategically positioned campuses along the Western Trade Coast at Naval Base, Munster, Rockingham, and Fremantle.
There’s never been a better time to train or upskill for a career in the defence industry, with secure, well-paid jobs available in exciting and evolving project areas working with the latest technologies such as nuclear.
With a variety of vocational and tertiary pathways available for everyone — including young people, First Nations people, people with disability, women, and Defence veterans — now is the time to "Start Something" in WA’s defence industry.
Explore our defence industry training opportunities
More details
For more information about how the Defence Industry Skills CoE can provide training solutions for your organisation, contact the SM TAFE team
T: (08) 9580 2896
E: Defence.industry.Skills@smtafe.wa.edu.au
To get assistance with starting your career path in the Defence Industry, contact the Jobs and Skills Centre at our Rockingham campus
W: www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/jobs-and-skills-centres/south-metropolitan-region/rockingham-jobs-and-skills-centre(opens in a new tab)
T: (08) 9599 8655
E: rockinghamjsc@smtafe.wa.edu.au
For full details on the Defence CoE, see The Other Force website