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Modular housing industry set for $50 million investment under WA Labor.
A re-elected WA Labor Government will commit $50 million to boost modular and prefabricated housing in Western Australia, aiming to accelerate home construction and support local manufacturing. (main pic: Murray River North Group’s Hamelin Bay modular home.)
The Housing Innovation Program, announced in Maddington at MRN Construction, will provide competitive grants of up to $3 million for WA-based businesses involved in modular or prefabricated housing. The funding is designed to encourage alternative construction methods, increase industry productivity, and address the State’s growing housing needs.
Housing Minister John Carey highlighted the program’s potential to reshape the local housing sector. “We’ve announced a re-elected Cook Labor Government will invest $50 million to support WA’s housing industry to innovate and speed up delivery of homes,” he said. “Our Government has already created prefabrication and modular housing panels to accelerate social housing supply across Western Australia.”
The initiative is part of a broader housing investment strategy, bringing WA Labor’s total new housing commitment to over $830 million. In addition to grants, the government will allocate $20 million in low-interest loans to help businesses adopt new technologies and expand their operations.
Opportunities identified within the industry include automation in steel frame and concrete slab manufacturing, enhanced wall and ceiling construction processes, and expanded capacity for window, door, and cabinetry production. These advancements are expected to improve efficiency and reduce build times across the sector.
John Carey pointed to WA Labor’s track record in modular housing, citing the success of the pilot modular build program established in 2021. “Since the launch of our pilot modular build program, more than 200 modular homes have been contracted, with nearly 170 completed to date,” he said. “We’re always looking for opportunities to speed up delivery of homes for Western Australians.”
The announcement took place at MRN Construction, a Maddington-based prefabrication business that employs local tradespeople and apprentices from Thornlie TAFE. MRN General Manager Roger Piggott emphasised the role of local training in strengthening the workforce. “We operate through Thornlie TAFE, so a lot of our apprentices come through there. Carpentry is the king of the yard, so I’d strongly encourage kids to get involved in carpentry,” he said.
During the visit, Premier Roger Cook toured a prefabricated four-bedroom home built at MRN’s facility, scheduled to be transported to Exmouth. The home was constructed within months and will be ready for occupancy soon after its arrival.
WA Labor’s latest commitment reinforces the role of modular and prefabricated construction in addressing housing shortages. By supporting industry-led advancements and local manufacturing, the initiative aims to improve housing supply while strengthening the State’s construction workforce.
