Australian industry opportunities
There will be significant opportunities for Australian industry to be part of Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine program – from the delivery of the Submarine Construction Yard in Osborne, South Australia and infrastructure works at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia, to the build of our SSN-AUKUS submarines, their operation, sustainment and eventual decommissioning and disposal. Additionally, there will be opportunities for involvement in the supply chains of our AUKUS partners by contributing to the maintenance of their submarines and manufacturing components for their production lines.
Australian industry have opportunities to contribute right from the beginning, working with ASC Pty Ltd (ASC) as the Sovereign Submarine Partner for sustainment, as well as with the collaborative alliance and eventual Incorporated Joint Venture between ASC and BAE Systems as the Sovereign Submarine Partner for the build of our SSN-AUKUS submarines.
Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program
Established in 2024, the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification (DIVQ) Program is a government-led initiative delivered in partnership with industry. It streamlines the qualification of Australian businesses to supply products and services into trilateral (Australia, UK, US) submarine supply chains.
Initially focused on the US, the DIVQ program is being progressively rolled out in a series of ‘Waves’ grouped by product category and/or production type. Products or production types in focus are determined based on a rolling analysis to identify and validate priority industrial requirements for supply chain resilience.
Qualification activities are conducted in Australia by US shipbuilders General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding in collaboration with ASC. Australian companies that meet the required standards to progress through to become qualified may be listed in the US Supply Catalogue and gain access to future commercial opportunities.
Planning is underway to commence a program focused on qualifying Australian businesses to contribute to the UK’s near term conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine sustainment requirements. This initiative will align with the anticipated needs of Submarine-Rotational Forces West.
Qualification is a critical step for Australian companies seeking to participate in any phase of the trilateral submarine supply chains. Once qualified, businesses may be considered for supplying components that contribute directly to submarine construction and sustainment—strengthening the resilience of the AUKUS industrial base.
To stay informed and express interest, register via the ASC and BAE ICN Portal(Opens in a new tab/window).
Industrial workforce skills and training
The Optimal Pathway for Australia to acquire a conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability will create around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years across industry, the Australian Defence Force and the Australian Public Service.
Traineeships
The Defence Industry Pathways Program is a 12-month paid traineeship, providing exposure to several fields - manufacturing and engineering, cyber security, computing, logistics, procurements and technical drawing – prior to deciding on a maritime defence pathway for their future. The first intake was March 2025 with more to come.
If you are interested in a defence industry traineeship, visit the PEER Shipbuilding Employment Pathways Initiative webpage(Opens in a new tab/window).
Apprenticeships
Growing the number of apprentices in critical trades, the Shipbuilding Employment Pathways (SEP) initiative is a four-year paid apprenticeship offering extensive on-the-job experience in industries and occupations critical for the future NPS program and its supply chain, that will gain you either:
- Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication
- Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical or;
- Certificate III in Electrotechnology – Electrician
If you are interested in joining the nuclear-powered submarine program, visit the PEER Shipbuilding Employment Pathways(Opens in a new tab/window) Initiative webpage.
Skilled workers
If you are looking to make your next career move and build on your skills, learn more about upskilling and retraining opportunities on the Defence Industry(Opens in a new tab/window) website.