Henderson Precinct to Support Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding and AUKUS Submarines

24 August 2026
Edited By: Haley McQueen

The Albanese and Cook Governments have selected the site for the new Defense Precinct at Henderson—supporting thousands of well-paid, highly skilled jobs, and delivering continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment in Western Australia for generations to come.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to National Armaments Director Nadine Williams and Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN prior to an announcement held at Henderson Defence Precinct, Western Australia. (Image credit: Royal Australian Navy)

The site layout includes the preferred location for the Government’s naval shipbuilding and sustainment activities, and for the sustainment of Australia’s future conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, representing an important milestone in the delivery of AUKUS.

The Defense Precinct at Henderson is where critical maritime capabilities for the Australian Defense Force will be built, including the Navy’s future general-purpose frigates and the Army’s Landing Craft. These capabilities will be vital to delivering a more integrated and capable Defense Force.

The selection of the site has been informed by technical analysis and thorough engagement between the Albanese and Cook Governments, local industry and workers, traditional owners, and local community groups.

All of this is underpinned by billions of dollars of investment in Defense capabilities and infrastructure in the West being made by the Albanese Government, including an initial $12 billion funding commitment to deliver the Defense Precinct, announced in September 2025.

Alongside the Albanese Government’s record investments across shipbuilding and AUKUS, these commitments will support around 10,000 direct jobs over the next two decades in Western Australia.

The program to deliver the Defense Precinct will now progress into a concept design phase, which will see further engagement between the federal and state governments, local industry, technical design and planning partners, and other key stakeholders.

The Albanese and Cook Governments are committed to minimizing potential impacts to local business operations, including non-Defense industry, as they work together to deliver this important national endeavor, and its opportunities for Western Australia and the nation.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said: “This is great for Western Australia and great for local jobs.

“AUKUS is full steam ahead, and we are proud to deliver this milestone today alongside our partner, the Cook Government.”

Minister for Defense, Richard Marles, said: “The selection of the site for the Henderson Defense Precinct is a major step towards establishing a world-class sovereign shipbuilding and sustainment hub in Western Australia.

“This decision allows the next phase of planning and development of the precinct to progress at pace, so we can deliver the infrastructure needed to support continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment in the West, and develop the capability to own, operate and sustain conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

“All of this is critical to strengthening Australia’s sovereign defense industrial base, supporting thousands of local jobs, and delivering the maritime capabilities needed to keep Australians safe.”

Minister for Defense Industry, Pat Conroy, said: “This milestone demonstrates the Australian and Western Australian Governments’ collective commitment to delivering what will be a major industrial hub in the West.

“The Henderson Defense Precinct will deliver and sustain some of the ADF’s most lethal and advanced capabilities, while supporting thousands of skilled jobs and providing opportunities for businesses in the supply chain.”