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H&B Defence and Curtin University have announced a new partnership to deliver Australia’s first nuclear fundamentals training course led by experts from the United Kingdom and the United States with direct experience in nuclear-powered submarines.
The two-day micro-credential course will begin in March 2026 and will be offered several times each year. It is designed to boost Western Australia’s technical readiness as the state prepares to support the sustainment of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership.
Aimed at engineers, technicians, project managers and defence industry support staff, the course will provide a foundational understanding of naval nuclear propulsion.
Topics will include the fundamentals of naval nuclear engineering, the history and development of US and UK naval nuclear programs, quality assurance and risk-management frameworks, and the safety, regulatory and compliance requirements associated with nuclear-powered submarine sustainment.
Participants will gain practical insight into the standards, culture and discipline required to operate safely and effectively in a nuclear-regulated environment, skills that are expected to be in growing demand as Australia develops its sovereign capability in this area.
Accredited as a Curtin University micro-credential, the course will be delivered by H&B Defence’s international team of certified nuclear professionals.
The instructors draw on the global experience of parent companies HII in the United States and Babcock in the United Kingdom, bringing more than 160 years of combined, real-world experience in nuclear engineering, operations, safety and regulatory compliance.
The partnership aims to ensure participants learn directly from practitioners with firsthand knowledge of modern nuclear programs, translating complex concepts into practical, job-ready skills for Australia’s emerging submarine workforce.
In a further boost to Western Australia’s defence workforce pipeline, the West Australian government has confirmed new funding through its Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grant Program to support a second micro-credential in late 2026.
This follow-on course will focus on submarine technology, regulation and support infrastructure, complementing the nuclear fundamentals program and creating a broader training pathway for industry professionals looking to enter or advance within the submarine sustainment workforce.
A number of places in the inaugural course will be reserved for members of the Henderson Alliance, supporting the growth of Western Australia’s defence industrial ecosystem.
The course will be delivered in person in Perth, with limited places available to maintain a high-quality, interactive learning experience. Expressions of interest for the 25–26 March intake are now open through Curtin University.
Western Australia Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the Cook government was committed to growing the state’s defence industry workforce through funding for TAFE and targeted initiatives such as the Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grant Program.
“This program will train defence industry professionals for the jobs created as our AUKUS collaboration helps to diversify the Western Australian economy,” she said.
Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia said the partnership was a critical step in preparing Western Australia to host and sustain nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS, well ahead of Australia acquiring its own fleet in 2032.
“As the nation’s home of AUKUS, Western Australia is seizing the opportunity to build the capability to support this once-in-a-generation endeavour,” he said.
H&B Defence managing director Tim Brown said the course would give Australian industry participants the essential technical grounding needed to work in a nuclear-regulated environment.
“It’s a critical step in building the workforce required to sustain nuclear-powered submarines safely and effectively in Australia,” he said.
“Partnering with Curtin University, a fellow member of the AUKUS Workforce Alliance, ensures the course is delivered to the highest academic and industry standards. With Henderson Alliance securing places for its members, we are widening access to the skills needed to support Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability under AUKUS.”
Curtin University deputy pro vice-chancellor of the faculty of science and engineering, Professor Chris Rawson, said the program would play an important role in building the skilled workforce needed for Australia’s future submarine capability.
“Our collaboration with H&B Defence will support Western Australia’s rapidly growing defence industry and help ensure the state is ready to meet the demands of a highly specialised and strategically important sector,” he said.
Henderson Alliance chair Rohan Green said small and medium-sized enterprises would be central to the capability growth required to build and sustain nuclear-powered submarines in Western Australia.
“Ensuring places for our members in this initiative gives them the opportunity to build capability now and position themselves for future opportunities in the AUKUS supply chain,” he said.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
