Media releases

First trainees and apprentices commence pathways programs to grow South Australia's skilled defence industry workforce

Two new pathways programs established by the Albanese Government in partnership with the Malinauskas Government have commenced as part of a critical step towards delivering the nation’s future defence industry workforce. The Defence Industry Pathways Program and the Shipbuilding Employment…

Albanese Government purchases more guided missiles as part of future made in Australia

Australia will manufacture missiles at home from 2025, thanks to another step forward by the Albanese Government, with Australia and the United States signing two memoranda of understanding. The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Co-Assembly agreement enables the assembly of a first batch of…

Jobs boost for Brisbane as Albanese Government invests $200 million in Navy's communications system

The Albanese Government is upgrading  communication systems on Royal Australian Navy ships under a $200 million program with Boeing Defence Australia that will create dozens of jobs across the Brisbane region. This investment will create more than 50 local jobs primarily in Brisbane, which…

$569 million contract locks in another decade of jobs in the Hunter

The Albanese Government has ensured the future of the Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft with a $569 million contract that also secures hundreds of highly skilled jobs across the country.   This contract with Boeing Defence Australia, announced today, will…

Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Pilot Program supporting local business

More local Australian businesses will have the opportunity to build our nation’s defence future, as the Albanese Government continues to expand opportunities for industry to support AUKUS through a new Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Pilot. HII Australia has been awarded a contract to…

Building a strong and resilient industrial base for Australia's submarines

The Albanese Government is making it easier for Australian industry to tap into a multi‑billion dollar, multi-decade opportunity in support of AUKUS and Australia’s submarine industrial base as we build, operate and maintain our future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.  The…

Major milestone for South Australia’s skills and training academy

The Albanese Government is investing $480 million in our naval shipbuilding and submarine construction workforce with the build of the Skills and Training Academy at Osborne in South Australia. When we announced the AUKUS Pathway in March 2023, the Albanese and Malinauskas Governments agreed to…

Albanese Government secures future of Seahawk helicopter fleet and hundreds of local jobs

The Albanese Government has secured the future of MH-60R Seahawk helicopter fleet, ensuring this critical capability remains mission ready, with a $313.5 million maintenance contract that will support local businesses and jobs. The contract with Sikorsky Australia, a Lockheed Martin company, will…

Commitment to support RFS operations at Defence bases in NSW

The Albanese Government will ensure the New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service has access to RAAF Base Richmond, RAAF Base Williamtown and HMAS Albatross to support aerial firefighting operations with an extension to the current agreement through to 2029. This agreement will ensure the NSW RFS…

Albanese Government backs local manufacturing with $100 million contract for underwater life support systems for ADF

The Albanese Government has further invested in local manufacturing and jobs, by securing local maintenance and support of diving and hyperbaric equipment for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) through a $100 million investment. Today’s announcement will involve a five-year contract extension with…

Albanese Government invests in the safety of our Collins class submarines and a future made in Australia

The Albanese Government has signed a four-year contract extension with James Fisher Defence (JFD) Australia, valued at over $90 million, to provide submarine escape and rescue services in support of the Collins class submarines. This contract underscores the Albanese Government’s commitment to…

Commemorating the 83rd anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin

Today we remember those who lost their lives in the 1942 Bombing of Darwin and honour the service men and women who leapt to action to defend Australia’s north.  On this day, 83 years ago, Darwin faced a devastating aerial assault by Japanese forces, the first foreign attack on home soil in…