The Albanese Government continues to invest in attracting and training the next generation of Navy Submariners in the Australian Defence Force, with work starting on a new training facility at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS partnership will require growing and training Australia's future AUKUS workforce.
This work has already begun, including through the training of Australian submariners in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Today, the Government has reached another major AUKUS milestone, with construction commencing on a new Training Centre at HMAS Stirling. This world-class facility will support the skilling of Australia's submariner workforce, through local submarine crew training and certification for work on Virginia class submarines, which Australia will acquire and operate from the early 2030s.
This $200m project forms part of the Government's $8 billion investment in infrastructure at HMAS Stirling.
Construction of the training centre will support local jobs and the Western Australian economy, requiring a daily workforce of around 120 construction personnel, which will grow to around 180 personnel per day at peak times.
Today's announcement coincides with the launch of the "I am a Submariner" campaign across social media, to raise awareness about what a career as a submariner in the Navy entails and the range of conventional and nuclear-powered submarine roles and opportunities available.
Priority submariner roles that Defence is actively seeking to recruit for Australia's current and future submarine workforce include:
- Communication Networks Operators
- Submariner Electrical Fitters
- Electronics Technicians
- Fixed and mobile plant mechanics
- Nuclear powered submarine electricians
- Nuclear powered submarine electronics technicians
- Nuclear powered submarine mechanics
- Nuclear powered submarine weapons and sensors network technicians
- Nuclear powered submarine electronic warfare network technicians
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon. Richard Marles MP:
"Developing the skills and expertise to safely operate conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is at the heart of the AUKUS pathway.
"Right now, Australian submariners are gaining experience in the United States and United Kingdom, and on board Virginia class and Astute class submarines. Soon they will also be able to receive world-class training in Western Australia.
"The new training centre at HMAS Stirling is part of the Albanese Government's commitment to ensuring we have the submariner workforce needed to support AUKUS, and keep Australians safe."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Personnel, The Hon. Matt Keogh MP:
"The National Defence Strategy reinforces the need for growth and retention of highly skilled people to deliver Australia's national defence. People are, and will remain our most important capability.
"The roll out of this new advertising campaign, coupled with the new training facility at HMAS Stirling, shows the Albanese Government is diving right in to grow and skill our Defence workforce.
"These works at HMAS Stirling will be delivered by Western Australian businesses, supporting local jobs and creating opportunities in the trade and construction industries."
Quote attributable to Director-General Australian Submarine Agency, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, AO, RAN:
"These upgrades will deliver a leading edge training facility that will train and develop the submariners who will crew Australia's sovereign Virginia class submarines."
Quotes attributable to Chief of Navy, Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO, RAN:
"Our submariners are rightly regarded as some of the best in the world. The new Submarine Training Centre which is being built at HMAS Stirling will continue this proud tradition of highly skilled submariners well into the twenty-first century."
"This is a step forward for the Royal Australian Navy to operating and maintaining our future fleet of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines."
