From the outbreak of WWII, to 30 June 1942, Australian naval dockyards fitted 288 merchant ships with defensive armament, 275 with para-vane mine protection gear, and degaussed 296 vessels. In addition, refits, repairs, and conversions were carried out on naval vessels.
The auxiliary boom defence vessel HMAS KURAMIA, was commissioned. KURAMIA was laid down as a steam passenger ferry in 1914, for Sydney Ferries Ltd. She was requisitioned for the RAN on 20 February 1942.