AUKUS and Defence Construction Jobs in Perth: What Tradespeople Need to Know

The AUKUS submarine program is the single biggest infrastructure investment in Western Australia’s history. Based at Henderson, south of Perth, the program will generate thousands of construction and trade jobs over the coming decades.

If you’re a tradesperson in Perth, here’s what you need to know about AUKUS and defence construction opportunities.

What Is AUKUS?

AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The centrepiece is Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, which requires building and upgrading massive submarine construction and maintenance facilities.

In Western Australia, this means a multi-billion dollar transformation of the Henderson shipyard precinct, including:

New submarine construction halls
Dry docks and ship lifts
Maintenance and refit facilities
Weapons loading facilities
Support infrastructure (workshops, warehouses, offices, accommodation)
Upgraded port and wharf infrastructure
Associated road, utilities, and civil infrastructure

Where Will the Work Be?

The primary location is the Henderson shipyard precinct, about 30 kilometres south of Perth CBD. Henderson is already home to Australia’s largest naval shipbuilding and maintenance facility (HMAS Stirling is at nearby Garden Island).

The scale of construction at Henderson will be comparable to building a small city — civil earthworks, structural steel, concrete, mechanical and electrical services, and specialist marine infrastructure.

Additional work will be generated across Perth at:

Manufacturing and fabrication facilities supplying components
Training facilities and simulators
Housing and community infrastructure for the expanded workforce
Transport links and road upgrades

Which Trades Are Needed?

AUKUS construction will need virtually every construction trade:

Heavy Demand

Boilermakers and welders — structural steel, piping, and specialist marine fabrication
Electricians — industrial electrical installation, high-voltage, instrumentation and controls
Plumbers and pipe fitters — marine systems, process piping, hydraulic services
Fitters — mechanical installation and alignment of heavy equipment
Carpenters — formwork for large concrete structures, general construction
Concreters — massive concrete pours for dry docks, foundations, and marine structures
Steel fixers — reinforcement for major concrete structures
Crane operators — heavy lifts throughout construction
Riggers and dogmen — supporting crane operations and structural assembly
Scaffolders — access for construction and installation at height

Supporting Trades

Painters (industrial) — protective coatings and marine-grade painting
Insulators — thermal and acoustic insulation on marine systems
HVAC mechanics — heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for enclosed facilities
Glaziers — commercial buildings and office fit-outs
Plasterers and ceiling fixers — interior fit-out of support buildings
Tilers — amenities and commercial interiors
Cabinet makers — workshops and fit-out
Communications and data cablers — extensive data and communications networks

Specialist Roles

Instrumentation technicians — process control and monitoring systems
High-voltage electricians — power distribution and switchgear
Coded welders — pressure equipment and structural steel to defence specifications
NDT technicians — non-destructive testing of welds and materials
Marine trades — specialist shipbuilding and marine engineering roles

Timeline and Scale

The AUKUS construction program is not a short-term project — it will run for decades:

Near term (2024–2030): Early works, site preparation, and initial infrastructure construction
Medium term (2030–2040): Major construction of submarine facilities, dry docks, and support infrastructure
Long term (2040+): Ongoing construction, expansion, and maintenance of facilities

At peak construction, thousands of tradespeople will be needed simultaneously. This will be a generational employment opportunity for Perth’s construction workforce.

What Will It Pay?

While specific AUKUS pay rates haven’t been fully established, defence construction projects in Australia typically pay above standard construction rates:

Enterprise agreements (EBAs) on major defence projects set rates well above award minimums
Specialist skills (coded welding, marine fabrication, high-voltage) command premium rates
The sheer demand for workers is likely to drive rates upward across the board
Security clearance requirements may attract additional allowances

As a guide, tradespeople on major defence and infrastructure projects in Perth currently earn:

Tradesperson (with EBA): $100,000 to $140,000
Specialist/coded tradesperson: $120,000 to $160,000
Supervisor/foreman: $130,000 to $170,000

How to Position Yourself for AUKUS Work

Get Your Security Clearance

Defence construction work requires security clearances. The most common levels are:

Baseline clearance: Required for most defence construction work. You’ll need to be an Australian citizen (or permanent resident in some cases) and pass background checks.
NV1 and NV2 (Negative Vetting): Higher-level clearances for more sensitive areas. Required for some specialist roles.

The clearance process is managed by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) and can take several weeks to months. Having a clean background (no criminal history, no adverse security indicators) is essential.

Build Relevant Experience

Tradespeople with experience in the following areas will be best positioned:

Industrial and heavy construction
Marine and shipbuilding (Henderson precinct experience is golden)
Defence projects (existing clearance holders are in demand)
Structural steel fabrication and erection
Heavy civil construction
Process piping and mechanical installation
High-voltage electrical work

Get Coded Up

For boilermakers and welders, having current welding procedure qualifications to Australian standards (AS/NZS 1554.1 and AS/NZS 3992) is essential. Defence work often requires additional welding standards and quality assurance processes.

Upskill

Consider additional training in:

Quality management systems (ISO 9001)
Advanced welding techniques and exotic materials
Instrumentation and controls
Project management (Certificate IV or Diploma level)
Safety leadership and WHS management

Register With Specialist Recruiters

Major defence construction contractors will recruit through specialist agencies as well as directly. Perth Trades Recruitment is positioning to connect tradespeople with AUKUS and defence construction opportunities as they ramp up.

The Broader Impact on Perth’s Construction Industry

AUKUS won’t just create jobs at Henderson — it will have a ripple effect across Perth’s entire construction industry:

Competition for workers will increase, potentially driving up rates across all construction sectors
Supply chain growth — local fabrication, manufacturing, and engineering businesses will expand
Training demand — TAFE, universities, and RTOs will expand trade training capacity
Housing demand — the influx of workers will drive demand for housing construction
Infrastructure investment — roads, transport, utilities, and community infrastructure will need upgrading

For tradespeople in Perth, AUKUS represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for employment stability and career growth.

Stay Informed Through Perth Trades Recruitment

Perth Trades Recruitment is tracking AUKUS and defence construction opportunities as they develop. Register with us to be among the first to know when roles become available.

We specialise in construction, trades, and industrial recruitment across Perth and Western Australia — and the AUKUS program is set to be the biggest construction employer Perth has ever seen.

Contact Perth Trades Recruitment to register your interest in AUKUS and defence construction jobs.