The real AUKUS payoff for West Australia is decades of submarine maintenance
Around 70% of defence spending goes to long-term support work, not building. Western Australia will lead this work for nuclear submarines.
When people think of AUKUS, they picture submarines being built. The bigger story for Western Australia is decades of support and upkeep work.
Defence programs typically spend around 70% of their budget on support. Maintenance, repairs, upgrades and expert workers make up this spending.
Only about 30% goes to building. While submarines take years to build, they operate for decades.
They need constant support. Western Australia is already building expertise.
It will become the hub for Australia's nuclear submarine support work. US and UK submarines will rotate through HMAS Stirling from next year.
They will rely on local workers and infrastructure. Australian nuclear submarines will start arriving in the early 2030s.
This will create ongoing demand for engineers, technicians and skilled trades. Local companies including VEEM, Camco Engineering and HIFraser have already qualified to support Virginia-class submarines.
- 70 per cent of defence program budgets
- Sustainment spending
- HMAS Stirling at Garden Island
- Submarine hub location
- VEEM, Camco Engineering, HIFraser
- Qualified local companies
Why it mattersThe long-term support work is far more valuable to the regional economy than the building phase. It creates jobs that last many decades.
AustraliaWest Australian workers and businesses can expect stable, high-skilled employment from submarine maintenance work for generations, not just during construction years.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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