Standards Australia opens consultation on prefabricated construction terminology

Standards Australia has released a draft version of SA HB 268 Prefabricated Building: Glossary of Terms for public consultation. The handbook seeks to establish clearer and more consistent terminology across the prefabricated and modular construction sector. Public submissions remain open until 13 January 2026.

Addressing inconsistencies in industry language
The draft has been developed by Committee BD-111 at the request of the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), which identified ongoing inconsistency in how key prefabrication terms are used across jurisdictions, design practices and supply chains. The document notes that the evolution of modern methods of construction has led to “confusion and [mis]interpretation” of terminology in both industry and regulatory settings.

SA HB 268 consolidates definitions covering design concepts, module types, chassis components, lifting methods, transport processes, installation sequences, digital tools and lifecycle considerations. Terms related to modern methods of construction, offsite manufacturing, panelised systems, pods, permanent modular construction, relocatable buildings and industrialised building methods are grouped within a single framework intended to reduce ambiguity between overlapping concepts.

The handbook also points to future work, including expanding the glossary to cover design, assembly, transportation, handling, installation, de-installation, relocation, repurposing and end-of-life processes. It anticipates greater industry involvement in refining terms, including contributions from regulators, standards committees, industry associations, designers, manufacturers, transport operators and installers. Standards Australia indicates that the glossary is expected to support “intelligent data” exchange by restructuring terms to better suit electronic processing and digital workflows such as BIM-based design environments.

A foundation for future standard development
Although the handbook is not an Australian Standard, it is positioned as preparatory work for a dedicated Standard on prefabricated modular building design and construction, which is currently under development. The intent is to reduce ambiguity in documentation, procurement and approvals by helping ensure that commonly used technical terms carry the same meaning across the prefabricated housing supply chain.

The draft explicitly describes itself as a transition stage. It acknowledges duplication and overlapping terms that will require further refinement as feedback is received and as practices mature. Standards Australia also foreshadows a change from periodic, static publications to a model of continuous review and improvement, with online access enabling more responsive updates as prefabricated and modular construction methods evolve.

Consultation details
Standards Australia is seeking feedback from designers, engineers, builders, manufacturers, regulators and others involved in prefabricated and modular building, including those working directly in prefabricated housing delivery. Submissions can be made via Standards Australia’s Public Comment portal until 13 January 2026, with comments expected to inform later revisions of SA HB 268 and the development of future Standards.

Read recent Built Offsite piece calling for standardised MMC terminology HERE

Find the draft version of SA HB 268 Prefabricated Building: Glossary of Terms for public consultation HERE (registration required)