Rockingham will soon host a new community information hub where locals can explore Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine future and learn about the generational investment AUKUS will deliver for Western Australia.
In quarter one 2026, the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) will open the WA Submarine Discovery Centre, giving the community a place to learn about the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program and what it means for Western Australia.
The centre will feature interactive exhibits, educational resources, and community events designed to explain how this program is shaping Australia’s security and prosperity for generations to come.
ASA Director-General, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, said that AUKUS will deliver major benefits to Rockingham and beyond.
‘The ASA is committed to helping the community understand what this investment means for them,’ said Vice Admiral Mead.
‘The Submarine Discovery Centre will be a hub for locals to learn how this region will shape Australia’s security for decades to come.
‘Rockingham is already seeing AUKUS in action. The Discovery Centre will help the local community stay up-to-date as preparations for Submarine Rotational Force – West ramp up throughout 2026.
‘I look forward to visiting the Discover Centre when it launches early next year.’
Over the next decade, the Australian Government will invest up to $8 billion to expand HMAS Stirling, creating around 3,000 direct jobs. A further 3,000 jobs will support contingency and depot-level maintenance of nuclear-powered submarines at the Henderson Defence Precinct.
Today’s announcement follows a historic year of delivery for Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program:
- In March, construction commenced on the site for the Skills and Training Academy at Osborne in South Australia.
- The Government launched Australia’s AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy.
- The Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ)(Opens in a new tab/window) pilot program began.
- Trainees and apprentices commenced the Defence Industry Pathways Program and the Shipbuilding Employment Pathways pilot initiative in South Australia.
- Signing of the Geelong Treaty, formalising the bilateral Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Agreement between Australia and the UK.
- Two United States nuclear-powered submarines visited HMAS Stirling, including a landmark maintenance period on the USS Vermont as Australia prepares for the start of Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West) in 2027.
- The Government announced HIFraser as the first Australian company qualified to supply parts for US Virginia class submarines through the Government-funded Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program (DIVQ).
- In November, the independent Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator commenced operations(Opens in a new tab/window).
Momentum will continue in 2026, with a maintenance period for a visiting UK Astute-class submarine scheduled at HMAS Stirling in the first half of the year.