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 (SRF‑West) from 2027, is creating new supply chain opportunities for local businesses, said WA Premier Roger Cook.
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, said the Premier.
“AUKUS is opening the door to major new defence work, and we want Western Australian businesses to be first through it,” he said.
“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 SRF‑West will only accelerate that momentum.
“We’re building the workforce WA needs for this next chapter by expanding defence‑ready training, growing our talent pipeline, and making sure local workers can step straight into these long‑term, high‑value 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.”
Australian companies from WA, NSW and Victoria, have already successfully qualified through the program, with dozens more progressing through the national qualification program, the Premier said.
He said 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.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Industries, Amber-Jade Sanderson said the Government wanted to see Western Australian businesses seize the opportunities created by AUKUS and the state’s growing defence industries sector.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for local WA businesses to help deliver the sustainment of the Virginia Class submarines,” she said.
“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.”
Opportunities for both the Virginia Class sustainment and build supply chains are here.
