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Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Western Australia Premier Roger Cook have announced a formal partnership to establish the WA Defence TAFE Centre of Excellence.
The Albanese and Cook Labor governments are investing in Western Australia’s future by delivering cutting-edge training facilities through the WA Defence TAFE Centre of Excellence. This initiative will equip Australians with the advanced skills needed to build and sustain critical national defence capabilities.
Marking a significant milestone in WA’s growing defence industry, the centre will contribute to an industry expected to generate tens of billions of dollars in new defence capabilities and create thousands of well-paid, highly skilled jobs over the next two decades.
Minister Marles said, “With the number of defence projects coming down the pipeline in WA, we need the skills which will build them.”
With a $14.6 million investment, Western Australians will gain hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing, preparing them for rewarding careers across the maritime, air, land, space and cyber security sectors. The centre will not only help workers upskill and secure high-tech roles but also ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals to support national defence.
“The WA Defence TAFE Centre of Excellence will develop these skills and will see high-tech, well-paid jobs at the same time. It is an exciting time for the defence industry here in Perth and we are giving every opportunity for Western Australians to join the industry,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
This initiative aligns with the recent historic cooperation agreement on defence between the Commonwealth and WA governments, reinforcing their shared commitment to delivering future defence capabilities in the state.
Premier Cook welcomed the partnership, saying, “With about 10,000 well-paid, highly skilled defence jobs set to be created, it’s more important than ever that we invest in our defence training so Western Australians are ready to take up the jobs on offer.”
It also complements major defence investments by the Albanese government, including the development of a new Defence precinct at Henderson, support for AUKUS submarine maintenance, the expansion of continuous naval shipbuilding and the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force - West at HMAS Stirling.
The WA Defence TAFE Centre of Excellence will play a crucial role in increasing student engagement and course completion rates in defence sector training, in line with the National Skills Agreement. A range of specialised programs will be spearheaded by the centre, including:
- Women in Defence Industry Scholarship Program – Extended under the centre’s leadership, this six-month program provides WA women with training in electronics and engineering alongside experienced tradespeople.
- Defence Industry Pathways Program for school-based traineeships – Year 11 students will gain exposure to defence industry career pathways while working towards a Certificate III in defence industry pathways.
- University partnerships – The centre will collaborate with universities to explore higher-level apprenticeships with innovative curriculum and learning practices.
Premier Cook said, “The Centre of Excellence will lead the design and delivery of training programs, ensuring a growing pipeline of skilled workers to deliver current and future defence work. The Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence will inspire thousands of Western Australians to pursue defence industry careers and crucial defence work that will strengthen Australia’s sovereign defence capability. I thank the Commonwealth government for recognising the important contribution our state makes to this national endeavour.”
Operating through a network of four South Metropolitan TAFE campuses, the centre will also establish improved administrative processes, including a curriculum advisory group, a community of practice, and a robust governance framework.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said, “The WA Defence TAFE Centre of Excellence is the first to combine two critical initiatives under the National Skills Agreement: delivering high-quality training as a TAFE Centre of Excellence and delivering targeted programs to improve student outcomes.”
WA Minister for Training and Workforce Development Simone McGurk added, “The WA state government is committed to growing WA’s defence industry workforce so we can build on the Commonwealth government’s current investment in the state and attract new defence projects that will benefit generations of Western Australians.”
Funding for the WA Defence TAFE Centre of Excellence is part of the Albanese government’s five-year National Skills Agreement, which is investing $325 million to establish a network of up to 20 TAFE centres of excellence.
These centres will focus on developing a highly skilled workforce for strategically important industries, ensuring Australia remains at the forefront of global defence capabilities.
