For decades, Australians have viewed modular and prefabricated buildings as temporary and uninspiring. The legacy of school demountables and site sheds has shaped a perception that has slowed the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), even as countries such as Sweden, Japan and Germany have used them to build faster, cleaner and more sustainably.
That mindset is beginning to change. The industry is recognising that MMC is not a shortcut but a smarter way to design, manufacture and assemble homes and buildings. The question is no longer whether MMC matters but how we make it work at scale in Australia.
Turning perception into practice
This change is happening through partnership. Industry, government and education are working together to align policy, training and technology. It is no longer about individual companies testing modular techniques in isolation. It is about creating shared systems and developing a skilled workforce that can deliver housing differently.
At events such as the 2025 Melbourne Build Expo, conversations have shifted. Builders, designers, manufacturers and educators are now focused on how to integrate MMC into mainstream housing delivery and how to close the capability gap that has held the sector back.
Building capability, not just buildings
The success of MMC in Australia will depend on people above all else. Without the skills to design, assemble and maintain modular systems, the potential of MMC will remain theoretical. The industry is already facing workforce shortages and a lack of diversity. Unlocking the full potential of our workforce is essential if we are to deliver the scale of change required.
Education has a defining role to play. The public TAFE network is Australia’s national platform for workforce development and inclusion. It is the only network that can train at scale, connect industry standards to qualifications, and open doors to a more diverse and sustainable talent pipeline.
The Centre of Excellence driving national collaboration
The Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence, led by Melbourne Polytechnic, has a national mission to connect these elements. The Centre is designed by industry for industry. It brings builders, designers, suppliers and educators together to drive innovation, training and applied research in MMC.
The Centre’s role is practical, not theoretical. It bridges the gap between concept and capability, giving industry the skills and confidence to scale MMC. It is a national collaboration that recognises that education and industry share equal responsibility in shaping the future of construction.
Building the future together
The transformation of the housing sector will not happen through technology alone. It will depend on collaboration, skills and shared purpose.
Modern methods of construction are ready. The opportunity now is to align the people, systems and partnerships that will make it work.
Gabriel Solorzano Torres is Executive Director of Commercial, Sustainability and Infrastructure, leading Melbourne Polytechnic’s Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence
