WA’s defence industry is projected to require around 10,000 skilled workers over the next two decades to deliver the AUKUS Optimal Pathway, continuous Defence shipbuilding and submarine sustainment activities. 

The State Government is strengthening efforts to ensure WA’s skilled workforce is ready to deliver these nationally significant Defence projects. 

The signing of the MOU, commits the State Government to work with Curtin and Murdoch Universities and South Metropolitan TAFE to explore options to establish Murdoch University’s Rockingham campus as a centre for specialised defence training and innovation to support workforce development. 

Close to HMAS Stirling, the Henderson Defence Precinct and South Metropolitan TAFE’s Rockingham campus, Murdoch’s Rockingham campus is ideally located and will enable industry, start-ups, universities and TAFEs to collaborate on skills and training to build WA’s future defence industry workforce.