The Australian Government will invest an additional A$88m ($60m) over six years to expand the workforce supporting the country’s AUKUS submarine programme.
The funding will increase training and employment pathways in South Australia and Western Australia, with the government expecting the measures to support at least 275 apprentices and trainees.
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Further places are expected through an expanded degree apprenticeship programme.
The investment forms part of the 2026 Nuclear Powered Submarine Workforce Strategy, launched at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
The strategy sets out plans to recruit, train and retain workers for Australia’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability.
Two new programmes will form part of the package. Tradie2Trainer will help experienced tradespeople in South Australia move into training roles covering welding, fabrication, mechanical work and electrical work.
The Professional Submarine Pathways Program will support up to 100 early-career participants through a two-year programme. Participants will gain industry experience in areas including quality control, project scheduling and logistics across South Australia and Western Australia.
The government will also expand existing initiatives, including the Shipbuilding Employment Pathways programme between South Australia and Western Australia, the Defence Industry Pathways Program in South Australia and the South Australian Degree Apprenticeship Programme.
The workforce measures are being introduced as more than 100 Australian personnel work on maintenance activities involving the USS Colorado at HMAS Stirling.
The government said the work is helping prepare for the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force-West, known as SRF-West, from late 2027.
SRF-West will involve the rotational presence of US and UK submarines and personnel at HMAS Stirling. It is intended to help Australia develop the skills needed to own, operate, maintain and regulate its future submarine fleet from the early 2030s.
The workforce programme is being delivered alongside an A$8bn government investment to upgrade HMAS Stirling. Current works include improvements to Diamantina Pier, including additional secure berths and enhanced shore power capacity.
A new Submarine Training Centre is expected to be completed early next year. The facility will include Virginia class training systems and simulators for Australian submarine crews.
The government said it would be the first facility outside the US to use the systems and the only facility of its kind to house the full suite under one roof.
Emergency management facilities are also being built at HMAS Stirling. Construction activity at the base is currently supporting an average of 475 workers each day, according to the government.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said: “AUKUS is a once in a generation national endeavour that will shape Australia’s future for decades to come, creating thousands of jobs and building a workforce with world leading skills.
“Across HMAS Stirling today, Australians are working alongside partners from the United States and United Kingdom to maintain USS Colorado and build the skills needed to support Australia’s future submarine capability.”
The announcement follows the government’s plan, outlined in July, to provide a further A$4.6bn to Australian Naval Infrastructure for work at the future nuclear-powered submarine construction yard at Osborne in South Australia.
