AUKUS nuclear submarine program generates growing contractor pipeline in Brisbane

Brisbane's defence technology and professional services sector is experiencing growing activity in response to the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program, with an estimated 35 Queensland companies having secured pre-qualification or active contract roles in the program's information technology, engineering design, and workforce development streams.

The AUKUS program, which will see Australia acquire and eventually domestically build nuclear-powered submarines in partnership with the US and UK, has its physical construction centre in Adelaide's Osborne precinct, but the engineering, systems integration, digital, and sustainment work is distributed nationally. Brisbane firms with specialisations in cybersecurity, systems engineering, and advanced manufacturing are among those most actively pursuing program opportunities.

Defence SA and the Queensland government's defence industry office have both noted the growth of AUKUS-adjacent contracting activity in Brisbane, with the Queensland government establishing a dedicated AUKUS readiness program to help local companies understand and navigate the security, IP, and compliance requirements of working in Australia's most sensitive defence program.

Federal Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy visited Brisbane last month to brief industry on the AUKUS opportunity pipeline, confirming that the Commonwealth expected Queensland-based companies to capture approximately 15 to 20 per cent of the total AUKUS contract value over the life of the program — a figure in the tens of billions of dollars over 30 years.

The University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology have both responded with nuclear engineering and defence systems curriculum development to build the talent pipeline the AUKUS industry will require.

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