Western Australia's defence industry workforce is recognised as one of the most highly educated, qualified and skilled of its type anywhere in the world.

As the defence industry continues to expand, the skills needed across all five defence capability domains is also growing and changing to meet future requirements in technology and communications for Industry 4.0, and new opportunities in areas such as space ground stations.

A skilled workforce will prepare defence industry businesses for major projects and opportunities happening now and in coming years.

Engage the Western Australian Defence Industry Workforce Office

The Western Australian Defence Industry Workforce Office (WADIWO) is co-located with the Department of Training and Workforce Development and leads the development of workforce development initiatives, programs and strategies for Western Australia's defence industry through working collaboratively with education and training providers, key stakeholders and industry employers. 

WADIWO receives input from WA’s defence industry to undertake workforce analysis and planning; lead in the formulation of defence industry workforce development plans, initiatives and strategies; and identify future workforce needs and skilling priorities across all five domains of defence capabilities – air, land, space, maritime, cyber and information – in the Commonwealth Government’s Defence 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan.

WADIWO’s work is governed by the Western Australian Defence Strategy Steering Committee. It forms a part of the strategic deliverables and operational objectives of Defence West, a specialist defence industry branch of the Western Australian Government's Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

WADIWO regularly provides advice on the implementation status for Western Australia’s defence industry workforce development initiatives and skilling matters of a strategic nature.

Go to the Contact us page for information on how to contact WADIWO.

Western Australian Defence Industry Workforce Development Plan 2022–27

Over the next decade and beyond, Western Australia's defence industry will need more workers with a range of skills. The Western Australian Defence Industry Workforce Development Plan 2022–27, developed through WADIWO and released by the State Government in November 2022, consolidates the strategies that have been committed to position Western Australia for the pipeline of defence projects. 

The plan details the Western Australian Government’s key initiatives and a workforce development package totalling over $35 million to ensure skilled trades, paraprofessional and professional workers are available for defence industry projects now and into the future. 

Read the Western Australian Defence Industry Workforce Development Plan 2022–27  here.