Illawarra-based senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells has suggested the move in a submission to the Defence White Paper on the nation's future defence capabilities.

Senator Fierravanti-Wells said the navy was under increasing pressure to move from its Garden Island base.

"I believe that the time is now right to give consideration to options for moving Garden Island in the future, given that continued and growing pressure," she said.

"I think that Port Kembla offers an excellent opportunity for the Royal Australian Navy. We have a very safe, deep harbour, it's easily accessible from the open sea [and] it already has very good local heavy industry and logistical support."

She said it was also close to the Jervis Bay area where the navy conducted regular training exercises.

The senator said unlike Port Kembla, the Garden Island base was surrounded by a residential area which limited maintenance due to noise.

Her submission - prepared by her husband John Wells, who spent 35 years in the navy - conceded some work would need to be done to bring Port Kembla up to naval standards.

"Upgrades to the wharves, surrounding facilities at the Outer Harbour and perhaps the eastern breakwater would be required," it said.

"However, such infrastructure expenditure would dovetail nicely with strategic infrastructure initiatives intended throughout Australia by the Abbott government."

It also said the redevelopment work now under way at the port and the fact there were Coalition governments at both state and federal levels provided a "small window of opportunity" for the move to take place.

Were the navy to relocate to Port Kembla, it would be a "game-changer" for the region, Senator Fierravanti-Wells said.

"Often we talk about changes and the potential for our area - this would be a game-changer for the Illawarra," she said.

"The presence of the navy in some form or another would change the dynamics for our area.

"The prospect of navy personnel being present in the Illawarra, living in the Illawarra, spending in the Illawarra, having their children go to school or university here. You have a whole range of services here in the Illawarra that I believe would benefit from the presence of the Royal Australian Navy."