The governments of Australia and Western Australia have selected the site for the new Defence Precinct at Henderson which 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.
The Defence Precinct at Henderson is where critical maritime capabilities for the Australian Defence Force will be built, including Navy’s future general purpose frigates and Army's Landing Craft. These capabilities will be vital to delivering a more integrated and capable Defence Force, the Australian Government said in a press release.
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 Defence capabilities and infrastructure in the West being made by the Australian Government, including an initial AU$ 12 billion funding commitment to deliver the Defence Precinct, announced in September 2025.
Alongside the Australian 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.
''This is great for Western Australia and great for local jobs,'' Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said.
''AUKUS is full steam ahead and we are proud to deliver this milestone today alongside our partner, the Cook Government.''
The program to deliver the Defence 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 governments said they are committed to minimising potential impacts to local business operations, including non‑Defence industry, as they work together to deliver this important national endeavour, and its opportunities for Western Australia and the nation.
''The selection of the site for the Henderson Defence Precinct is a major step towards establishing a world-class sovereign shipbuilding and sustainment hub in Western Australia,'' Australia's Minister for Defence, Richard Marles. said.
''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 defence industrial base, supporting thousands of local jobs, and delivering the maritime capabilities needed to keep Australians safe.''