NSW Modern Methods of Construction Program launched in Mascot

On Friday 5 September, the NSW Government launched its Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Program in Mascot. NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson, Hon Dr Andrew Charlton MP, Federal Member for Parramatta, and Building 4.0 CRC CEO Professor Mathew Aitchison introduced a two-bedroom apartment assembled from prefabricated parts, demonstrating how the program works in practice. (credit main image: FTMA)

The launch provided government, industry, and research partners with a detailed view of the program at a single-unit level. A further event will take place on 19 September to present the full system and explain how the NSW Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Program can support housing delivery at scale.

Addressing the housing backlog

More than 65,000 households in NSW are currently waiting for social housing. At the same time, productivity in residential construction has fallen by more than half over the past 30 years. Conventional methods cannot respond quickly or cost-effectively enough to these pressures.

The NSW Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Program is intended to change the balance of housing delivery. Around 80 per cent of components are produced in factories, while the remaining 20 per cent is tailored to specific sites. Kitchens, bathrooms, balconies and other elements are made to standard specifications by suppliers across the state, then assembled within a consistent framework onsite.

This process is intended to shorten build times, improve quality, reduce costs, and broaden the construction workforce by simplifying onsite tasks.

The focus for 19 September

The September event will move beyond the demonstrator apartment to outline the framework supporting the program. At the centre is System 600, an open-source design and assembly model that sets clear rules for dimensions and connectors so components from different manufacturers can be used together.

Shared standards allow façades, service modules, kitchens and bathrooms to be supplied by multiple manufacturers, creating a more resilient and competitive supply chain. Smart connectors make onsite assembly faster and more accurate, reducing the risk of errors.

The program also places emphasis on tenant outcomes. Standardised components are designed to be adaptable and easier to maintain, with layouts tested for a range of needs including ageing tenants, work-from-home arrangements, and medium-density housing suited to four-to-six storey buildings.

From single unit to system-wide delivery

The NSW Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Program is part of the state government’s $6.6 billion housing commitment, which includes 8,400 new homes and repairs to 30,000 existing dwellings. By using standardised parts and a system-based delivery model, Homes NSW and Building 4.0 CRC aim to make this investment deliver more housing, more consistently.

The 5 September launch, attended by NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson, Dr Andrew Charlton MP, Federal Member for Parramatta, and Professor Mathew Aitchison, demonstrated the program through a two-bedroom apartment. The 19 September event will set out how the framework can be applied across multiple sites, forming the basis for a repeatable model for housing delivery across NSW.

Event Details
Date: Friday, 19 September 2025, 10am – 1pm
Location: Mascot, NSW
Bookings: REGISTER HERE