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State governments expand use of modular homes for social housing delivery.
Queensland and Western Australia are advancing modular housing programs as part of broader efforts to increase social housing supply, with new projects underway in both states. (main image: Initial tranche of modules manufactured by Modscape for Queensland’s largest modular housing development in Woree. Image credit: Modscape.)
Large-scale modular development progresses in Cairns
Queensland’s largest modular housing development has begun installation in Woree, Cairns, with more than 20 modules now in place. The Woree project will deliver 490 social, affordable and specialist disability homes, supporting seniors and people living with disability.
The project is part of the Crisafulli Government’s $5.6 billion social and community housing investment, aimed at accelerating housing delivery across the state. In total, more than 560 social homes are currently under construction or under contract across Far North Queensland.
This includes:
The project forms part of the state’s broader housing strategy, which is backed by an $8.1 billion investment targeting the delivery of one million new homes by 2044, including 53,500 social and community dwellings. The Budget also commits to a permanent baseline funding of $500 million per year from 2029–30 to maintain the pipeline of new homes.
Queensland Housing Minister Sam O’Connor said modular housing is playing a central role in delivering homes more efficiently. “Projects like the new modular complex in Woree are essential to deliver the social and community homes vulnerable Queenslanders need,” he said.
Cairns is also set to see construction of a Youth Foyer this year, aimed at supporting young people aged 16 to 25 who are at risk of homelessness.
Tetris Capital Director Brent De Jong said the Woree project highlights the capabilities of modular construction at scale.
“This is the largest development of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and it shows the potential of modular housing to address housing needs efficiently,” he said.
New modular homes delivered in Western Australia
In Western Australia, four new modular social homes have been completed in Mount Barker, in the Great Southern region.
Manufactured by Evoke Living Homes in Northam, the four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes meet Silver Liveable Homes standards and were transported to Mount Barker for installation.
WA Housing Minister John Carey said modular homes continue to play a role in the state’s housing delivery efforts.
“Our Government is doing everything it can to boost supply, including backing the modular and prefabricated homebuilding industries to accelerate housing delivery,” Carey said.
Since 2021, Western Australia has committed $5.8 billion to housing and homelessness measures and recently reached its target of delivering 3,300 social homes by mid-2025. Modular construction forms part of long-term housing strategies
Both Queensland and Western Australia are using modular construction to deliver social housing faster, particularly in regional areas, as part of broader state-led housing strategies.
