A delegation representing Hong Kong’s modular construction sector has visited Victoria as interest grows in the potential role of offshore manufacturing in addressing Australia’s housing shortfall. (main image: Metricon’s modular house in Truganina, Melbourne, built using Signex’s China-manufactured prefabricated system.) The Building Technology Research Institute led approximately 30 representatives from 14 organisations on... READ MORE

Mark Cridland, director-general, QBuild. The decision was confirmed during Queensland Parliament’s Housing and Public Works estimates hearing on 23 July. QBuild director-general Mark Cridland said the final module produced at the South-East Queensland Rapid Accommodation and Apprenticeship Centre was completed in May 2026. Cridland said the converted depot had structural columns that restricted... READ MORE

Western Australian authorities are warning consumers to exercise caution when purchasing prefabricated pods, tiny homes and other outbuildings amid growing concerns that some suppliers are promoting products as "DIY" or "permit-free" when approvals may still be required. (main image: A growing number of prefabricated pods are being marketed directly to homeowners, prompting renewed... READ MORE

BOXABL's long-awaited debut on the Nasdaq has delivered an early reminder that while investors remain interested in industrialised housing, public markets are likely to judge manufacturers on their ability to scale production rather than the promise of factory-built construction alone. The Las Vegas-based modular housing manufacturer began trading this week under the ticker... READ MORE

During last week's online industry briefing for prospective respondents, one commercial message stood out: the NSW Government is seeking manufacturers capable of succeeding beyond government support. Leon Walker, NSW Deputy Secretary of Property, Workplace and Development. Much of the discussion surrounding the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Industry Expansion Program has focused on... READ MORE

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released a suite of consultation documents outlining a proposed National Voluntary Certification Scheme for Manufacturers of Prefabricated Construction, providing the clearest picture yet of how a nationally consistent certification framework could operate. Released for public consultation are a discussion paper, draft Scheme Rules and a draft... READ MORE

Recent reports highlighting the international expansion of Chinese modular manufacturers such as CIMC have inevitably prompted questions about Australia's place in an increasingly global volumetric construction market. (main image: The 17-storey ibis Styles East Perth hotel comprises 171 steel volumetric modules delivering 252 guest rooms, with CIMC providing module supply, transportation and project... READ MORE

As modular construction continues to mature in Australia, Singleton-based Marathon believes the next phase of industry growth will be shaped by design-led thinking, alongside advanced manufacturing capability. (main image: Architectural render of Marathon's proposed Siena Christian College development, highlighting the building's distinctive façade and integrated modular design approach.) James Kim, Senior Design Associate,... READ MORE

Australia’s first Certificate III in Prefabrication Installation has been launched at Melbourne Polytechnic’s Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence, providing a new training pathway for workers entering the modern methods of construction sector. The initial pilot intake will be delivered through the Centre’s Heidelberg West campus using a combination of online learning,... READ MORE

University collaboration with Octave Intelligence aims to equip graduates with the digital construction skills increasingly underpinning offsite manufacturing and modern methods of construction. Building Information Modelling (BIM) continues to play an increasingly important role in modern methods of construction, with a new partnership between Curtin University and Octave Intelligence set to give students... READ MORE