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Interest in industrialised construction is growing across Victoria, but Master Builders Victoria Chief of Public Affairs Corrie Williams says the next phase depends less on technology and more on confidence, clarity and reducing risk.
Industrialised construction is approaching an important turning point in Victoria, but greater clarity around definitions, regulation and risk will be needed before it becomes a mainstream delivery model, according to Master Builders Victoria Chief of Public Affairs Corrie Williams.
In conversation with Built Offsite, Williams said the industry is beginning to embrace a broader range of offsite and industrialised construction methods, although widespread adoption is likely to occur gradually as confidence and supporting frameworks continue to develop.
“We’re at a point where parts of the industry are beginning to embrace more industrialised approaches to construction,” Williams said. “Whether that’s volumetric construction, panelised systems, kit-of-parts or other forms of offsite manufacturing, interest is growing across different parts of the industry.”
She said the challenge is turning that growing interest into broader adoption.
Many businesses are continuing to navigate a challenging operating environment, making it harder to invest in new delivery models.
“For MMC to really move the dial, we need to de-risk that as an option.”
Rather than resistance to change, she believes many builders are working through an environment shaped by regulatory reform, evolving contractual frameworks and commercial considerations as they assess where industrialised construction fits within their businesses.
Definitions remain a significant barrier
One of the biggest challenges facing industrialised construction is the absence of a consistent national definition.
Williams said one of the biggest obstacles remains the lack of a consistent definition of modern methods of construction, with governments, regulators, researchers and industry often using different terminology and frameworks.
“Until we resolve that, it will be difficult to build the certainty needed for broader adoption,” she said.
She believes the challenge extends well beyond terminology. Certification pathways, finance, banking, practitioner understanding and regulatory compliance all contribute to the industry’s measured approach.
“The cost versus risk of change has, for many of them, not yet tipped to be able to utilise it effectively.”
Evolution before revolution
Williams sees the industry’s transition occurring along two parallel paths.
While larger manufacturers and early adopters continue investing in volumetric and highly industrialised systems, she expects many builders will first embrace incremental increases in prefabrication using familiar products.
Frame and truss manufacturing, she suggested, demonstrates how builders have long embraced factory-produced building components and provides a practical pathway for expanding prefabrication across the sector.
“If that same pathway is extended, we can do more pre-manufactured elements offsite.”
Importantly, she does not see industrialised construction replacing traditional trades.
“We’re still going to need our plumbers, electricians, carpenters and building practitioners because they’re the ones who carry the risk for the projects.”
Instead, she believes future construction will increasingly depend on stronger coordination, quality systems and digital collaboration alongside traditional trade skills.
Building confidence across the industry
Williams said stronger evidence demonstrating the commercial benefits of industrialised construction will be critical to accelerating adoption, pointing to ongoing research by the Building 4.0 CRC and other organisations.
She also believes education has an important role to play, not only in developing technical capability but also in changing perceptions of the construction industry and attracting a broader range of people into the sector.
Looking ahead, Williams believes industrialised construction will have succeeded when it becomes an accepted part of mainstream building rather than something that requires explanation.
“A builder should be able to have a conversation with a homeowner about the home they’re building, and the homeowner doesn’t necessarily need to know whether it’s been delivered using modern methods of construction,” she said. “What matters is that they’re getting a better-quality, more liveable home.”
For Williams, achieving that outcome will rely on reducing regulatory friction, building industry confidence and broadening understanding of industrialised construction across the entire building ecosystem—from detached housing through to commercial buildings, healthcare, education, hotels and infrastructure.
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