The Naval Shipbuilding Plan, released on 16 May 2017, outlines the Government’s vision for the Australian naval shipbuilding  enterprise and the significant investment required in coming decades.

The Plan sets out how our Government is delivering on the commitment to build a strong, sustainable and innovative Australian naval shipbuilding industry. It provides the foundation for implementing the Government’s commitment to the greatest regeneration of our country’s naval capability since the Second World War. At the same time it will create a long-term, sustainable naval shipbuilding and ship sustainment capability that will serve our strategic and economic interests for many decades.

The goal of the Naval Shipbuilding Plan is to ensure that the regeneration of the Royal Australian Navy over the coming decades will ensure both a cost-effective solution for the Government provide Navy the assured capability to fight and win. The National Naval Shipbuilding Office has been established to implement the Naval Shipbuilding Plan.

The Australian Government is laying the foundations for an Australia-wide, continuous National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise, ending the boom-bust cycle that has afflicted the Australian naval shipbuilding and sustainment industry. This will provide certainty to local businesses and shipbuilding workers and provide direct and indirect employment opportunities for generations to come.

The Government will invest:

  • around $90 billion in new naval ships and submarines;
  • more than $1 billion in modern shipyard infrastructure; and
  • up to $62 million in workforce growth and skilling initiatives to enable the delivery of these platforms.

Success will see the realisation of the significant strategic, economic and employment advantages to Australia that a national naval shipbuilding and sustainment capability can bring.

Implementation

Establishing a National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise is a complex, long-term national endeavour which will present many challenges along the way. Success will require a coordinated, coherent, nation-wide approach that will take time to develop and mature. Time is necessary to learn and apply lessons, skill and grow the workforce and build a competitive shipbuilding industrial base, in order to create the enduring enterprise.

The Naval Shipbuilding Plan is implemented through strategic collaboration with all stakeholders, appropriate project management and strong governance. Defence, in close collaboration with other government agencies, industry and education sectors, and State and Territory Governments, is working hard to implement the initial stages of the Plan to build a strong foundation for the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise.

In addition to internal governmental governance, the independent Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board has been established to provide expert advice to Government on all matters relating to the Enterprise. The Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board consists of shipbuilding experts who are assisting to identify areas for further attention or adjustment by Government as the Naval Shipbuilding Plan is implemented.