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At the 2025 NGAA Congress site tour luncheon, Linda Dawson, Deputy Director General of WA’s Office of Defence Industries, outlined how Western Australia is uniquely positioned to play a central role in the AUKUS trilateral partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US. AUKUS, particularly Pillar I (nuclear-powered submarines) and Pillar II (technology sharing), is not just a defence pact—it’s a driver of economic and industrial transformation. With Australia’s security and prosperity linked to maritime routes, the enhancement of naval capabilities through AUKUS is vital.
Western Australia’s strategic Indo-Pacific location, vast coastline, and proven record in delivering complex infrastructure make it the ideal host for initiatives like the Western Trade Coast and the Westport project. These major developments support maritime, subsea, fabrication, and technological precincts essential for defence and logistics. Integrated port and transport infrastructure, reliable utilities, and sustainable planning are key enablers, backed by a significant push into housing, health, education, and mobility to support future defence industry growth.
To meet the workforce demands of this transformation, WA has already invested over $35 million into skills development, with more than 500 apprentices onboarded since 2020. With the projected creation of 10,000 jobs tied to AUKUS over the next 20 years, and initiatives like the Defence Industry Pathways Program and the forthcoming Defence Centre of Excellence, WA is positioning itself as the nation's defence manufacturing and sustainment hub. From submarine sustainment to future shipbuilding, the message is clear: AUKUS will be made in WA.
