- For the first time WA businesses are being asked to support sustainment of Virginia Class submarines
- Expressions of interest now open for the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification (DIVQ) Program
- Opens opportunities to work on US-built submarines ahead of Submarine Rotational Force – West
- Cook Labor Government putting WA workers first with investment in skills and training to support defence industries
For the first time, Western Australian and Australian businesses are being called to step forward and play a direct role in sustaining US-built submarines in Western Australia.
Australian and Western Australian industry can now submit expressions of Interest through the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification (DIVQ) Program to qualify for work supporting the sustainment of Virginia Class submarines operating from HMAS Stirling on Garden Island.
The commencement of Submarine Rotational Force West (SRFWest) from 2027, is creating new supply chain opportunities for local businesses.
It will expand the existing role of the DIVQ Program, which already enables Australian businesses to compete for opportunities in the Virginia Class supply chain supporting submarine construction in the US.
Through the DIVQ Program, which was established by the Australian Submarine Agency in partnership with the US Government, ASC is helping Australian industry lift its systems, processes and technical capability to meet stringent US standards and requirements.
Australian companies from WA, NSW and Victoria, have already successfully qualified through the program, with dozens more progressing through the national qualification program.
The expansion into sustainment work in Western Australia represents a significant new opportunity for Australian businesses to secure long-term, high-value work supporting the operational readiness of these submarines in-country.
Opportunities for both the Virginia Class sustainment and build supply chains are here .
As stated by Premier and Defence Industries Minister Roger Cook:
“AUKUS is opening the door to major new defence work, and we want Western Australian businesses to be first through it.
“The expanded DIVQ Program puts WA companies in prime position to support the sustainment of Virginia Class submarines at HMAS Stirling – real work, real capability, right here in WA.
“AUKUS is already delivering jobs and manufacturing opportunities for Western Australians, and SRFWest will only accelerate that momentum.
“We’re building the workforce WA needs for this next chapter by expanding defenceready training, growing our talent pipeline, and making sure local workers can step straight into these longterm, highvalue roles.
“This is how we diversify our economy, create quality jobs, and build sovereign capability for the decades ahead. By making more things in WA and strengthening our role in the nation’s future defence readiness – because my government will always put WA first.”
Comments attributed to Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Industries Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“We want to see Western Australian businesses seize the opportunities created by AUKUS and our growing defence industries sector.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for local WA businesses to help deliver the sustainment of the Virginia Class submarines.
“We know over the next decade we will need an additional 4,000 workers in the defence industry sector, which is why we are investing so heavily in skills, training and apprenticeships, to make sure Western Australians are ready to take up these opportunities.”
