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New report calls for prefab training reform in Australia.
A new report by RMIT University’s Post Carbon Research Centre, developed in collaboration with PrefabAUS, has outlined a comprehensive strategy to accelerate decarbonisation across Australia’s prefabricated housing sector. (main pic: Low-carbon modular system ADEPT uses natural materials to deliver breathable, high-performance, demountable construction.)
Released following a series of industry workshops held in 2024, the report identifies persistent gaps in skills training, technology adoption, and supply chain integration that hinder progress towards low-carbon construction. The findings underscore the urgent need for systemic reform if prefabrication is to play a meaningful role in meeting the nation’s housing and sustainability targets.
One of the report’s central concerns is the fragmented nature of training pathways. Current vocational programs often fail to address core aspects of modern prefab such as Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), non-structural elements, and digital construction technologies like BIM and digital twins. Educators, the report notes, are frequently unfamiliar with offsite methods, compounding the challenge.
To address these gaps, RMIT and prefabAUS propose a national skills agenda anchored in modular, stackable certifications and executive training. Specialised programs for surveyors, planners and factory-based workers are also recommended, alongside micro-credentials for technologies like IoT-enabled manufacturing and advanced simulation tools.
On the design front, the report calls for shared intellectual property frameworks and the transition from 2D to 3D modelling across the sector. Doing so would eliminate duplication, improve data flow, and support collaborative workflows. Government incentives, including tax relief for digital upgrades, are flagged as crucial for supporting small to medium enterprises.
In the supply chain, lack of standardisation and disconnected design-procurement cycles are cited as key bottlenecks. Greater use of common data environments and the early involvement of manufacturers in design decisions could reduce waste and improve cost efficiencies.
The report outlines a roadmap for action, including the creation of pilot projects, a national prefab innovation hub, and advocacy for prefab-inclusive planning laws and financial incentives.
Damien Crough of PrefabAUS said the strategy provides a “critical framework for coordinating national efforts and positioning prefabrication as a central solution to Australia’s housing and climate challenges.”
See: RMIT
Download the report (LinkedIn pdf) HERE
