[1] The complex was established in 2003 when the Common User Facility, owned by the Western Australian Government, commenced operations.

[1] The facility is operated by Western Australian's state government owned property developer DevelopmentWA and AMC Management (WA) Pty Ltd.[3] The complex is divided into shipbuilding, technology, support industry, fabrication and recreational boating precincts.

[1] The shipbuilding precinct serves as a maintenance facility for the Royal Australian Navy's Collins-class submarines and Anzac-class frigates, being located across Cockburn Sound from HMAS Stirling on Garden Island.

[5] In March 2022, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a $4.3-billion investment to establish a large vessel dry dock at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson.

[16] The Austal shipyard at the Australian Marine Complex built and delivered five Guardian-class patrol boats and Cape-class patrol boats in 2021, with the later two built for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard while the former are destined for Pacific Island nations,[needs update] having been ordered and financed by the Australian Department of Defense.