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Factory-built modular homes support healthcare delivery in Victoria’s northwest.
The delivery of four modular homes to the town of Hopetoun in Victoria’s Wimmera region will provide much-needed housing for healthcare workers, in a response to acute workforce accommodation shortages. (main pic: Swanbuild’s Estate Living Series / Dexter.)
The homes are being constructed by Swanbuild, a Swan Hill-based manufacturer specialising in prefabricated residential buildings. Once complete, they will be transported more than 130 kilometres to Hopetoun, where local trades will complete final installation.
Funded through the Victorian Government’s Regional Worker Accommodation Fund, the project is designed to alleviate housing pressure for Rural Northwest Health (RNH), which delivers healthcare services across several remote communities.
With no available rental stock in Hopetoun, attracting and retaining staff has become a persistent challenge.
“Recruitment has been constrained by the lack of permanent housing,” said RNH Chief Executive Jenni Masters. “It has also increased costs and placed additional load on existing staff required to cover vacancies.”
Once installed, the modular duplex-style homes will provide enough accommodation for up to 12 people, including both individual workers and families. According to Masters, the housing will help stabilise the workforce and enable expansion of clinical services.
“This will allow us to re-evaluate the services we’re offering and consider different models of care,” she said. “The ability to offer stable accommodation is a critical factor in delivering consistent healthcare in small communities.”
Swanbuild Director Josh Perryman said the modular method was selected for its speed and efficiency.
“Modular construction offers a faster turnaround compared to conventional builds, which is especially important in regional locations where on-site labour can be difficult to secure,” he said.
Each home will be manufactured to near completion in the Swanbuild facility, minimising disruption on site and allowing for tighter control over quality and timelines. This approach aligns with broader government strategies to support key industries in regional Victoria by improving worker access to secure and affordable housing.
The Hopetoun project is one of 12 healthcare accommodation initiatives supported under the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund’s first round. Other funded locations include Shepparton, Bairnsdale and Timboon. The Fund also supports other sectors such as tourism, agriculture and food production.
By deploying modular construction as part of a state-wide response, the Victorian Government is aiming to deliver housing that can adapt to regional workforce needs while reducing development timeframes and reliance on limited local building resources.
See: Swanbuild
