Building the workforce delivering Australia's future nuclear-powered submarine capability

The Albanese Government is investing an additional $88 million to continue growing the highly skilled workforce needed to deliver Australia’s future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability.

Over six years, this investment will expand key training and employment pathways across Western Australia and South Australia, and make it easier for Australians at all stages of their career to pursue jobs in the submarine and shipbuilding industries.

The initiatives form part of the 2026 Nuclear‑Powered Submarine Workforce Strategy, launched today at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, which outlines a comprehensive national plan to grow, train and retain the workforce needed to deliver AUKUS.

Under the Strategy, two new workforce initiatives are being rolled out to support the growing demands of the AUKUS enterprise. 

• Tradie2Trainer: Supporting experienced tradespeople in South Australia to transition into training roles in critical disciplines such as welding, fabrication, and mechanical and electrical work. The program will boost trainer capacity, expand workforce pipelines and help ensure the next generation of skilled workers is job-ready. 

• Professional Submarine Pathways Program: Supporting up to 100 early-career participants through a two-year program, providing hands-on industry experience across South Australia and Western Australia in quality control, project scheduling, and logistics.

The Strategy also expands existing training pathways, including:

• the Shipbuilding Employment Pathways from South Australia to Western Australia;
• continuing the highly successful Defence Industry Pathways Program in South Australia; and,
• bolstering the South Australian Degree Apprenticeship Program.

Collectively, this increased investment will support at least 275 apprentices and trainees with further growth expected through expanded degree apprenticeship places.

Today’s announcement comes as over 100 Australian personnel conduct and oversee maintenance on the USS Colorado at HMAS Stirling, demonstrating the workforce development already underway in support of Australia’s future submarine capability. 

These activities are helping prepare Australia for the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West) from next year. SRF-West will help Australia build the skills and capabilities needed to safely own, operate, maintain and regulate its own future fleet of nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s.

Investing in AUKUS infrastructure 

All of this is being delivered alongside the Albanese Government's $8 billion investment to upgrade HMAS Stirling. 

Work is progressing on the SRF-West Priority Works project, including upgrades to Diamantina Pier to deliver additional secure berths and enhanced shore power capability. 

The new Submarine Training Centre is on track for completion early next year. This will include advanced Virginia class training systems and simulators to support Australia’s future nuclear‑powered submarine crew. This will be the first time such a capability will be used outside of the United States, and the only facility of its kind in the world where the full suite of training systems is housed under a single roof. 

Critical emergency management facilities are also being delivered, an important part of Australia’s commitment to safely supporting submarine operations at HMAS Stirling and ensuring the safety and security of personnel, the community and the environment.

Construction across these activities is currently supporting an average of 475 workers on site each day as HMAS Stirling is upgraded to support growing submarine operations and the rotational presence of United States and United Kingdom submarines and personnel under SRF-West from the end of next year.

The Albanese Government is committed to building the workforce, infrastructure and sovereign capability needed to support SRF-West from late 2027, and Australia’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability – a program which will support more than 20,000 jobs across Australia over the next 30 years.

Australian workforce initiatives are consistent with Australia’s domestic and international legal obligations, including its non-proliferation obligations and commitments.

The 2026 Nuclear‑Powered Submarine Workforce Strategy is available online at https://www.asa.gov.au/australias-nuclear-powered-submarine-workforce-strategy 

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“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.

"We’re continuing to invest in more opportunities for Australians to enter highly skilled careers and build the workforce, skills and expertise our nation will need."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“The Albanese Government is making it easier for Australian workers to get started; whether they are leaving school, changing careers or bringing their trade skills into the Defence industry. 

“The Tradie2Trainer and Professional Submarine Pathways Program initiatives are opening new doors for tradies and people in non-trade roles to be part of this historic program. 

"These initiatives will help Australian workers build in-demand skills while giving Australian industry first access to the talent needed to support submarine construction, sustainment and SRF-West into the future."

MEDIA NOTE:

Media can access imagery/vision at https://images.defence.gov.au/S20263705