What is AUKUS?
Announced in September 2021, the AUKUS partnership has two main parts:
Pillar One – Supports Australia in acquiring conventionally armed, submarines for the Royal Australian Navy. The construction and delivery of the new submarine fleet includes developing two national submarine defence facilities: one at Osborne, South Australia, and the other at the HMAS Stirling Naval Base on Garden Island, Western Australia.
Pillar Two – Focuses on advanced technologies like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
View Australia's AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy Factsheet
What is the impact of AUKUS on the local community?
The AUKUS partnership will enhance the role of Garden Island’s HMAS Stirling naval base and see an increase in port visits and a rotational presence of nuclear-powered submarines from the US and UK as early as late 2027, as well as the introduction of Australia’s own submarines, starting with the US Virginia class submarines in the early 2030s.
Jobs and economic growth
Up to 8,500 new jobs will be created at the Henderson industrial area.
Between 2027 and 2032, hundreds more roles will support visiting submarines.
What is the City's role?
Local government plays a critical and very practical role in facilitating economic activity with its detailed local knowledge and relationships with businesses and industry.
The Council aims to boost the City's economic development by clearly communicating business, career and job opportunities to the community.
How can my business get involved?
Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS) is the main government agency helping businesses accessing the defence supply chain. Businesses have the opportunity to extend their professional network with a business association with direct links to the industry. To ensure that you have the most up to date information about the business opportunities businesses are recommended to connect with these key organisations:
Defence business networks
ODIS (Office of Defence Industry Support)
The main government agency helping businesses enter the Defence supply chain.
Visit the ODIS website
Henderson Alliance
A group of local small to medium businesses working together in the Defence sector.
Contact the Henderson Alliance
AIDN (Australian Industry & Defence Network)
A national industry group supporting Defence SMEs. They help you connect with government and big contractors.
Join AIDN
Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce
Runs an annual Naval and Defence Forum and helps local businesses connect with Defence.
Register for the Forum
Other ways to connect
JOSCAR
A platform used by major Defence contractors to find suppliers.
Register with JOSCAR
Australian Submarine Agency (ASA)
The Federal agency delivering Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines.
Visit the ASA website
Interested in a career in Defence?
There are many ways to get started:
Australian Submarine Agency
Offers jobs, graduate programs and more.
See jobs at ASA
Defence Industry Pathways Program
A 12-month traineeship through South Metro TAFE WA. that provides hands-on training and experience across the defence industry. Find out more.