Western Australia’s long-expected Defence boom is beginning to take shape, signalling a major shift for the state’s construction sector.
Billions of dollars in Federal investment are now flowing into shipbuilding, infrastructure and logistics projects, including a recent $12 billion commitment to develop the new Defence precinct at Henderson. This is creating major opportunities for local industry, but also raising the standards required to take part.
High Wycombe-based Rigsafe Lifting Solutions is one WA business preparing early so it can meet the requirements of Defence work. Director Kevin Fitzgerald said the scale of projects on the way was unlike anything the industry had seen.
“The amount of work coming is astronomical,” he said. “We could be helping to build the infrastructure that enables shipbuilding and submarine programs to take shape for years to come. The scale of these projects means every part of our business – from cranes and rigging to transport and logistics – has a role to play.”
To work on Defence projects, companies must meet the Australian Government’s Defence Industry Security Program (DISP), which covers governance, personnel, cyber and physical security. Rigsafe has spent more than a year aligning its operations with these standards.
“We have been hearing about the Defence boom coming to Western Australia for years, but now it’s really about to take off,” Kevin said. “We wanted to make sure we weren’t just considered for Defence work, but ready to deliver to Defence standards from day one.”
The DISP process has resulted in improvements across the business, from governance and training to information security. Rigsafe has also introduced advanced cyber measures and personal cyber insurance for all employees.
“We’ve learned throughout the DISP readiness process that meeting the Defence standard is also just good business,” Kevin said. “These systems make us more accountable, more efficient, and more capable, and that benefits the whole industry.”
The boom comes as WA’s labour market shifts. With major public infrastructure programs such as Metronet nearing completion, more skilled workers are returning to the private sector, bringing valuable experience to emerging Defence projects.
“Eighteen months ago, finding experienced people was extremely difficult. Now, we’re seeing hundreds of applicants for each role, and the quality of those applicants has risen dramatically,” Kevin said.
“We can onboard highly skilled workers and equip them with DISP readiness so that every team member, from apprentices to directors, understands their role in a Defence-ready workforce.”
“We’re ready from a compliance point of view, and we’re ready from a workforce point of view,” Kevin said. “The Defence boom is here, and WA businesses that invest early will be the ones to shape its future.”