The recruitment will cover Austal’s Henderson and Fremantle facilities.
Open trade positions include fabrication, pipe fitting, welding, electrical work, mechanical fitting and cabinet making.
Austal is also seeking staff in engineering, project management, procurement, quality and support functions.
The company said previous shipbuilding experience would not be required for experienced tradespeople applying for relevant roles.
Austal will continue recruiting apprentices and graduates as it expands its workforce for the new defence programmes.
“The new roles will contribute to the delivery of Australia’s future defence fleet from the company’s Henderson shipyard, supporting the Commonwealth’s objective of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia and commitment to strengthening Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding capability,” said Austal Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg.
Gregg added: “Providing new employment opportunities within shipbuilding and the Henderson Precinct, supporting local jobs and skills development, and delivering critical capabilities for Australia’s Defence Force is core to Austal’s vision and operations.”
Austal currently employs more than 1,000 people across Australia.
Production staff can work a four-day week, while office employees can work a nine-day fortnight.
The company continues to deliver vessels for the Navy, Border Force and Army, with its latest programmes expected to provide decades of work.
Austal’s Henderson shipyard has built and sustained vessels for more than three decades and remains part of Australia’s wider naval shipbuilding strategy.
