The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and BAE Systems Australia have announced a new partnership under the AMWU’s Breaking Barriers: Women in Trades and Tech program to tackle workplace inequality in defence manufacturing—strengthening Australia’s future workforce and sovereign capability.
The joint venture was launched by Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.
Under the partnership, the AMWU will work alongside BAE Systems Australia over the next two years to address the structural and cultural barriers that continue to push women out of manufacturing.
Together, the partners will implement a Workplace Culture and Equity Action Plan at BAE South Australia, supported by Tradeswomen Australia, focused on creating safer, more inclusive workplaces and opening pathways for women into high-skill production roles.
As the nation’s largest defence manufacturer and builder of Australia’s future Hunter Class frigates, BAE Systems Australia is uniquely positioned to help drive cultural change across the sector while strengthening Australia’s naval industrial capability.
Funded through the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ Building Women’s Careers program, the Breaking Barriers: Women in Trades and Tech project delivers targeted action to attract, retrain and support women in highly skilled trades and technical roles.
The AMWU-led national program, launched in 2025, comprises two key initiatives to break barriers across both industry and training. As part of this work, the union partners with employers, training providers and industry stakeholders across the country.
This announcement forms part of the program’s first initiative targeting industry, that focuses on work directly with employers to improve workplace culture, flexibility, and retention.
The second initiative focuses on collaborating with training providers to remove barriers in vocational education and create accessible pathways for women into apprenticeships and technical roles.
Quotes attributable to AMWU National Secretary, Steve Murphy:
“Too many women are being driven out of high-skill, high-wage jobs because workplaces are failing them. That’s not just unacceptable — it’s a direct hit to our national capability.
“We know what the problem is. Nearly 80 per cent of women experience bias or harassment on the job, and too many are forced to leave. The solution is changing workplace culture and enforcing standards on the ground.
“The AMWU treats bullying and harassment as a safety issue — as serious as any physical hazard. Our delegates are leading that change on the shop floor, because every worker has the right to a safe and fair workplace.
“This partnership is about building a stronger, more inclusive workforce to meet the demands of Australia’s future — and making sure those jobs are secure, skilled and open to everyone.”
Quotes attributable to BAE Systems Australia Chief People Officer, Angela Wiggins:
“BAE Systems Australia welcomes Commonwealth support for practical workforce initiatives in Defence manufacturing including major industrial projects such as the Hunter Class frigate program.
“A joined-up focus on increasing female participation in trade programs at major industrial sites including Osborne Naval Shipyard will inevitably strengthen the nation’s industrial capability and economic security.
“Our partnership with the Commonwealth and the AMWU to deliver this program clearly demonstrates the constructive collaboration between employers and unions to ensure long term workforce sustainability.”
Quotes attributable to Tradeswomen Australia National Lead Workplace Equity, Abby Kempe:
“Our equity subject matter expertise and workplace practitioner philosophy is embedded in the celebrated AMWU project partnership. Tradeswomen Australia (TWA) and AMWU have cultivated distinct intellectual property and an innovative approach to uplift, enhance and further participating organisations.
“Today, TWA celebrates BAE – with its history of innovation, reliability and strength – and walks alongside it with AMWU into a future of powerful possibilities.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
“Getting more women into trades and technical jobs is essential for creating more economic opportunities for Australians, and for strengthening Australia’s long‑term industrial capability, including in defence manufacturing.
“When we remove barriers for women and create clear, supported pathways into skilled work, the benefits flow across communities, industries and the economy – it’s good for individuals, families and our country.
“From Free TAFE to the Key Apprenticeship Program, from foundation skills to the Building Women’s Careers Program, the Albanese Government is backing in more opportunities for every Australian to get the skills they want, for the jobs we need.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth:
“Our Government has made significant investments in the AUKUS program to secure Australia’s future defence capability and create lasting prosperity and jobs in South Australia.
“It’s critical that South Australian women are encouraged to pursue these careers in this emerging industry for the state that will set them up for great, long-term and well-paid careers.
“Partnerships like this show what’s possible when government, industry and unions come together to open up opportunities for women in technical and trade careers.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:
“The Albanese Government is growing our sovereign defence industry, as part of a Future Made in Australia.
“There has never been a better time for women to consider a career in defence industry.
“This initiative will support women to take on high-skilled jobs in defence manufacturing that support our national security.”