State Pours $11.5M to Boost Future Defense Workforce
The Cook Government is supporting the growth of the future defence workforce, investing $11.5 million in apprentice training to skill workers to build and maintain ships in Western Australia.
The investment supports the establishment of a Henderson Defence Precinct which underpins tens of billions of dollars of Commonwealth Government investment in defence capabilities in the State over the next 20 years, creating more than 10,000 new skilled jobs.
Nuclear-powered submarine sustainment as part of the AUKUS partnership and continuous shipbuilding projects – including the construction of Mogami-class frigates following a historic agreement between Japan and the Commonwealth Government – are among future projects.
In the next two to five years alone, significant shipbuilding project work is set to begin on the Australian Navy’s general-purpose frigates, large optionally crewed surface vessels, evolved Cape class patrol boats, and the Australian Army’s landing crafts.
The Cook Government is investing $11.5 million through the AUKUS Defence Industry Incentive to help train the workers needed to build and maintain ships in WA.
This investment assists economic diversification and is central to the government’s Made in WA plan.
The program started on 1 July 2025, with 435 places available to eligible defence industry employers.
The Incentive provides employers in Western Australia’s defence industry supply chain with up to $20,000 for each apprentice they take on in one of four key trades:
Fabrication – which encompasses boilermaking or welding – is a crucial shipbuilding trade.
South Metropolitan TAFE is a leading defence industry trainer, delivering fabrication training to defence industry apprentices at its Naval Base campus.
Many fabrication apprentices training at the Naval Base campus are working at premier defence industry businesses including Civmec, Austal Ships, ASC, Echo Marine Group, and IKAD Engineering, allowing them to develop skills and gain valuable experience on-the-job.
The Naval Base campus features a state-of-the-art fabrication workshop comprising 45 welding bays which have been constructed and equipped for multi-use, as well as a machine shop, electrical workshop and supporting classrooms.
For more information visit http://www.theotherforce.wa.gov.au/support-programs-employers
As stated by Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“The State Government is committed to growing WA’s defence industry workforce, so that we can capitalise on the Commonwealth Government’s billions of dollars of investment in our State.
“With continuous shipbuilding expected to start at Henderson in 2026, it’s imperative that we have the trades workforce ready to meet the industry’s needs.
“Our $11.5 million investment is key to our Made in WA plan and will support training a pipeline of skilled workers for the defence industry.
“The $20,000 AUKUS Defence Industry Incentive will help defence industry employers to take on new apprentices and skill them to ‘make it’ in WA.”
As stated by Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia:
“My goal is to grow WA’s defence industry into the State’s second largest after mining – creating generations of jobs and diversifying our economy.
“This investment will help build the workforce of the future as we progress towards the AUKUS optimal pathway.”
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/State-invests-$11.5-million-to-bolster-future-defence-workforce-20250826