Structural Insulated Panels trialled to solve regional housing in South Australia

An innovative modular housing trial in South Australia is testing the potential of structural insulated panels (SIPs) to address housing shortages in remote areas. The Office for Regional Housing has launched a pilot program in Ceduna, constructing six homes using SipForm SIPs, a high-performance prefabricated building system manufactured in Perth.

The initiative is designed to provide high-quality, energy-efficient homes that can be assembled quickly, significantly reducing reliance on hard-to-source trades. Local Indigenous-owned builder RJ Scott was awarded the contract and has been responsible for constructing the homes under the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme (RKWHS).

Efficiency and Environmental Performance

SIPs are composite panels consisting of two sheets of durable material encasing a high-density insulating foam core. They deliver structural integrity, thermal performance, and a rapid build process, allowing homes to progress from slab to lockup in as little as two weeks.

Rohan Scott, Owner of RJ Scott Building, highlighted the system’s efficiency. “What has impressed me most about SipForm is the structural integrity of the panels and the ease of the install,” Mr Scott said.

“For example, a 150m² dwelling takes approximately two and a half days to complete. This essentially also includes the internal and external wall linings and insulation. The ease of construction also reduces the need for specialist trades who can be hard to find in regional areas.”

Addressing Regional Housing Shortages

Matt Hunt, Director of Renewal SA’s Office for Regional Housing, emphasised the importance of innovative solutions in regional construction.

“Regional housing is indeed a challenge, particularly in towns some distance away from the city,” Mr Hunt said.

“We think we’ve landed on a solution that provides quality, ease of supply, and can be installed quickly without needing to heavily rely on hard-to-source tradespeople.”

Ceduna, located almost 800km from Adelaide, faces similar constraints to other remote towns, where traditional construction methods often lead to extended build times and high delivery costs. The use of SipForm aims to mitigate these challenges by simplifying logistics and reducing overall costs.

“The tender encouraged bids from housing providers who offered solutions in modular, transportable, and modern methods of construction, as well as traditional home builders,” Mr Hunt added.

“RJ Scott proposed the use of SipForm to build the houses at 80% of the cost of a standard build for the area.”

Building for the Future

Ben Taylor, Manager of Administration and Finance at the District Council of Ceduna, acknowledged the project’s role in attracting and retaining workers.

“Housing shortages have made it hard to attract workers to fill vacancies in key sectors, and in some cases, have made residents consider moving to more populated towns,” Mr Taylor said.

“Once more builders become aware of this construction concept and the speed at which houses could be built, I hope it will be considered to help deliver much-needed housing into regional locations.”

The Ceduna homes are expected to be completed by September 2025, with Renewal SA evaluating the potential expansion of modular and SIP-based housing solutions for future regional developments.

See: SipForm