Western Australia's defence industry is set to grow significantly and will become one of the largest contributors to the State’s economy.

Guided by the WA Defence and Defence Industry Strategy 2025 and building on opportunities created by the AUKUS partnership, the Western Australian Government is collaborating with the Commonwealth Government to develop the infrastructure required to deliver on national defence and security priorities in WA by 2040.

WA businesses will benefit from the major investment to be made in submarine sustainment, navel shipbuilding, upgrading and building new infrastructure and servicing the growing defence sector and population.

Small business defence industry opportunities

The investment in WA’s defence infrastructure will create new opportunities for WA small businesses to participate in the supply chain and support the broader growth of the defence industry in WA. The broad categories of opportunity for small and medium businesses include:

  1. For businesses sectors operating outside defence and related areas to benefit from the investment in local industries and communities under the strategy, and support the broader growth in the WA defence industry.
  2. For small and medium businesses to pursue opportunities to become ‘defence ready’ and directly contribute to the defence industry through tendering or subcontracting.

Non-defence business opportunities

There is an opportunity for small and medium sized WA businesses operating outside the defence sector to benefit from the economic opportunities presented by the investment in and growth of the defence industry.

The opportunities will span a range of industry sectors, including but not limited to:

  • construction
  • manufacturing
  • communications and cyber security technology
  • maintenance services
  • accommodation
  • hospitality
  • catering
  • personal services
  • health and wellbeing
  • transport services
  • childcare
  • professional services 

Some examples of upcoming business opportunities around defence industry investment include:

  • The development and upgrade of defence facilities at the Henderson Defence Precinct and HMAS Stirling on Garden Island requiring significant construction sector input.
  • The rotational presence of US and UK personnel and growing defence workforce increasing demand for housing, accommodation and hospitality services • Increased movement of goods, equipment and people driving demand for logistics services in freight and transport across the State.
  • Larger population driving demand for personal, health, and professional services in growth corridors.

Support for non-defence businesses

Information and assistance for businesses operating outside the defence sector to explore suitable opportunities around the significant economic investment is available from the Small Business Development Corporation. The areas of advice we can help with include, but are not limited to:

  • starting a business
  • helping you assess new business ideas
  • business structures
  • writing your business plan
  • market research
  • business licences and permits
  • leasing commercial premises
  • business disruption
  • financial management and tax
  • marketing
  • managing business disputes

To discuss how WA defence industry investment could benefit your non-defence business, connect with one of our experienced business advisers.

Defence-ready businesses supporting the WA Defence industry

There will be a range of opportunities for ‘defence-ready’ businesses to participate directly in WA defence business opportunities.

Defence West is responsible for the implementation of the WA Government's Defence and Defence Industry Strategy to grow the State's defence industry eco-system, diversify the economy and create jobs through supporting the nation's current and emerging security needs. The Industry Development team within Defence West implements several initiatives to support businesses to increase their capacity and competitiveness and enable them to better contribute to Defence programs.

Please note, at present the SBDC is unable to provide specialised advice or support to help businesses become defence-ready. The following resources can help businesses learn more about becoming defence-ready or pursue opportunities within the WA defence industry.

WA Government

  • Defence West is responsible for growing Western Australia’s defence industry. They offer a range of grants to assist qualifying businesses become defence ready and participate in Defence Department procurement and the supply chains of defence contractors. Defence West also maintains a WA Defence Capability Directory and distributes a newsletter with the latest information and events in the sector, and implements initiatives to support businesses to increase their capacity and competitiveness and enable them to better contribute to Defence programs. Contact Defence West.
  • The Other Force website offers support programs for defence industry employers to build and grow their workforce through training, specialised programs and financial incentives

Australian Government

  • The Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS) provides access to a Defence Business Readiness Tool to help small and medium enterprises to assess their alignment with defence requirements and prioritise actions to grow their Defence business capability. ODIS also provides advisory, guidance and mentoring services to assist businesses enter the defence industry.
  • The Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) supports businesses to understand and meet their security obligations when engaging in defence tenders, contracts and projects. Membership can be applied for through the Defence website DISP member portal.
  • Defence ready businesses can tender direct for Department of Defence work via Austender and use the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) to help navigate defence ready requirements, government programs and supply chain opportunities.
  • The Global Supply Chain Program is available to assist increase the number of suppliers and export opportunities within the global supply chains of defence companies.

Local Government

  • The cities of Cockburn, Kwinana and Rockingham provide a range of assistance and support to small and medium businesses looking for opportunities in the defence industry on their websites including information about events, resources and networks.

Peak bodies and associations

  • The Australian Industry and Defence Network WA is a peak national industry association representing small to medium enterprises in the defence sector. They provide members with essential policy and procurement information, represent member views to government and prime contractors and connect members with key government and regional defence industry bodies to foster collaboration and to optimise Australian industrial capability in all defence and security contracts.
  • The Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce (RKCC) is a peak body representing small to medium businesses across the Rockingham and Kwinana region, with more than 400 members. As the region’s longest serving business association, for more than a quarter of a century the RKCC has delivered events and initiatives focused on knowledge-sharing and connection for local businesses and linked them with key regional industries, including the Defence industry. RKCC is actively engaged with organisations within the defence sector including Defence West, Henderson Alliance and AIDN to provide information to the business community on defence and defence family business opportunities through initiatives such as their Key Leaders in Business Breakfast and the Rockingham Naval and Defence Industry Conference.  In partnership with the City of Rockingham, RKCC has engaged with the Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS) to deliver information and assistance to businesses in the region to help navigate the defence onboarding process.
  • The Australian Defence Magazine lists defence industry events, forums and summits. The magazine “Industry Guide” also lists companies by capacity, providing details on their defence interests and potential partnerships.
  • The WA Defence Review analyses Australian defence and industry from a West Coast perspective, providing an annual publication, events, videos and policy analysis.