AMC associate professor Jonathan Binns said the precinct was a response to the growing demand for naval expertise as part of the federal government's $90 billion national naval shipbuilding program.

"AMC's unique role as the national institute for maritime education and training means we are best-positioned to help train and build that workforce," he said.

"The Maritime Defence Innovation and Design Precinct provides a unique opportunity to grow AMC's capacity in a way that strategically supports sovereign Defence aspirations and stimulates national and regional business innovation."

Under the Surface - inside the Australian Maritime College:

Labor science and research spokesperson Kim Carr visited the campus in Launceston on Monday to formally make the funding pledge, which would involve the construction of a new centre adjacent to the Newnham site with works to start within 12 months.

The centre would include new laboratories and working spaces for collaborative research between the AMC, the Defence Department, defence primes and small to medium enterprises.

The total cost for the plans at the AMC are $85 million.

Mr Carr said the AMC had an important role to play in its partnership with the Naval Shipbuilding College in Adelaide, launched last year.

Bass Labor MHR Ross Hart said the precinct would boost AMC's presence in Newnham as part of the future relocation of the University of Tasmania to Inveresk.

"The university transformation project should not be regarded just as the move to Inveresk, but an opportunity for Newnham and an opportunity for the Australian Maritime College," he said.

Bass Liberal candidate Bridget Archer said the party would be "having more to say" on its plans for the Tasmanian defence industry later in the election campaign.