East coast nuclear submarine base decision likely to be made after next federal election

Port Kembla is believed to be Defence's preferred location for a nuclear submarine base, but it is not the only candidate.

Senior Labor figures say a decision on where to put a future submarine base on Australia's east coast is unlikely to be made until after the next federal election, insisting locking in a location is not an immediate government priority.

Ahead of the formal unveiling of the AUKUS submarine plan in San Diego in March, the ABC revealed Port Kembla in New South Wales has firmed as the Defence Department's preferred option following months of study examining three shortlisted sites, but the government says an announcement "won't be rushed".