Defence West

Description

Western Australia is the only Australian state with a coastline on the Indian Ocean, giving it a unique geographical and strategic position within Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

As Australia's largest exporting state and a global leader in resources, Western Australia plays a critical role in the national economy. However, the Western Australian story extends well beyond mining and energy.

The Western Australian Government has identified defence and defence industry development as a strategic priority, with the sector emerging as one of the State's most significant growth industries.

Established in 2018, Defence West leads WA’s efforts to grow defence industry capability, attract investment, expand infrastructure, and create high-value jobs across the sector.

Western Australia has long been home to Australia’s submarine fleet through HMAS Stirling, the nation's largest naval base.

Its strategic importance is set to increase significantly as the home of Australia's future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership, and as the location of Submarine Rotational Force-West.

WA is expected to play a central role in Australia's future defence capability through submarine sustainment, continuous naval shipbuilding, maritime maintenance, and advanced manufacturing.

The Henderson Defence Precinct and the Australian Marine Complex in the process of becoming key national defence infrastructure assets, supporting both AUKUS and broader naval shipbuilding programs.

Western Australia's geographic location, extensive coastline, world-class maritime infrastructure, and established industrial capability make it ideally positioned to support naval vessel construction, sustainment, and defence industry growth.

These sectors have been identified as priority areas under the WA Defence and Defence Industry Strategy 2025.

The economic and employment opportunities associated with AUKUS are substantial. Estimates from the Western Australian and Commonwealth Governments both indicate that defence industry expansion, including nuclear-powered submarine sustainment and naval shipbuilding activities, could support around 10,000 highly skilled jobs across the State over coming decades.

WA is well positioned to develop the workforce required to meet this demand. South Metropolitan TAFE, supported by the WA Defence Industry Centre of Excellence, together with the State's universities and training providers, delivers nationally recognised education, training and research capabilities that will help prepare the next generation of defence industry professionals.

With a growing defence footprint, strong government support, significant infrastructure investment, and a highly skilled workforce pipeline, WA is increasingly recognised as a national centre for defence capability, innovation, and industrial development.