Which Australian yards were commercial?

Were there commercial shipbuilding yards in Australia during this period?

Yes. Four of the five discussed yards were commercial or semi-commercial; Cockatoo Island was the naval establishment.

Cockatoo Island was the principal naval yard. New South Wales State Dockyard was semi-commercial. Williamstown, Poole and Steel, and Walkers operated to a greater extent as commercial builders. Australia already had the basis of a shipbuilding sector and needed a steady mix of public and private work to keep those yards active.