The vessel was laid down by Walkers Limited, at Maryborough, Queensland on 1 November 1971, and launched on 29 December 1971. She was commissioned into the RAN as HMAS "Labuan" (pennant number L 128) on 9 March 1973. "Labuan" is named after the World War II amphibious landings at the Borneo island of Labuan. On entering service, she was homeported at in Brisbane.