Jobs boom as Morrison Government Defence health facility upgrades ramp up

Almost 6000 workers are being employed across Australia to deliver a $212.5 million overhaul of health facilities for the Australian Defence Force.

The Morrison Government’s Joint Health Command Garrison Facilities Upgrade Project is providing new and upgraded health facilities for ADF personnel at 13 priority Defence locations.

The construction programs include new and upgraded facilities to provide primary health care services such as dental, pharmacies, mental health, physiotherapy and allied health care services, including rehabilitation.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price today visited WA’s RAAF Base Pearce, where the refurbished Pearce Health Centre is delivering multi-disciplinary health care to 500 Air Force members.

This revamp will help aircrew stay physically healthy and prepared for ADF operational requirements, including for local RAAF flying units.

Minister Price said the facilities being delivered across the country would provide the world-class health infrastructure required to meet the ADF’s current and future capability needs.

“These projects around the nation will deliver outstanding health services to more than 34,750 active ADF members, significantly contributing to operational capability,” Minister Price said.

The project has already delivered five new and four refurbished health facilities across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.

Minister Price said the delivery of these facilities had been a major boost for local communities, which had benefited from growing employment opportunities.

“The project is being delivered by five prime contractors resulting in the employment of more than 5,800 workers across a diverse section of trades,” Minister Price said.

In Townsville, a new health centre will provide services to about 900 Army and Air Force members at RAAF Base Townsville.

This state-of-the-art facility, built with significant local contractor support, provides comprehensive primary health care and airfield emergency health response in support of ADF operational flying units at the base.

“The local builders, electricians, plumbers and other tradespeople who support these upgrades are an important part of Australia’s Defence industry helping to deliver these important capabilities for the ADF,” Minister Price said.

The quality of work on the project has already won plaudits.

Joss Construction was awarded the 2021 Master Builders, Victoria North East Regional Building Awards for Excellence in Construction of Commercial Buildings over $6 million and the Northern East Regional Commercial Builder of the Year for the construction of the $16.5 million Albury Wodonga Health Centre.

The below table provides a summary of the location of the health facilities and their upgrade status.