Submarine industry and workforce

Last updated: 2 Oct 2024

Resources

Details

Australia's acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) capability is one of the greatest industrial endeavours Australia has ever undertaken. It will deliver benefits across the country and begin to uplift Australia's industrial capability immediately.

Acquiring SSNs will involve a whole-of-nation undertaking, creating around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years, across industry, government and at Defence.

At its peak, building and sustaining nuclear-powered submarines in Australia will create up to 8,500 direct jobs in the industrial workforce.

Over the forward estimates, it is estimated $6 billion will be invested in the Australian industry and workforce, with at least $2 billion in infrastructure in South Australian and at least $1 billion in infrastructure in Western Australia.

At its peak, up to 4,000 Australian workers will be employed to design and build the infrastructure for the submarine construction yard in Osborne, South Australia.

A further 4,000-5,500 direct jobs are expected to be created to build nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia when the program reaches its peak - almost double the workforce forecast for the Attack Class program.

HMAS Stirling, in Western Australia, will require significant infrastructure upgrades to support the AUKUS program, which over the decade will see up to $8 billion invested and around 3,000 direct jobs created.

Australia will establish additional training, skilling and educational programs to achieve this growth for Australia's local submarine and shipbuilding industry. The program will offer significant opportunities for small, medium and large enterprises to support the construction and sustainment of nuclear-powered submarines, which will boost Australia's technical capabilities and provide flow on benefits to related industries.