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Prefab paradise? How China-made homes could solve Australia’s housing crisis
- Chinese prefab home exports offer Australian builders a cost-effective way to tackle the housing affordability crisis and deepen trade ties
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Su-Lin Tanin Singapore
While tourism, resources and education usually dominate trade between Asia and Australia, a surprising new trade has been flourishing under the radar in recent years – the booming business of prefabricated “prefab” housing and building materials.
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Though the numbers may pale in comparison to the billions of dollars in two-way trade between the regions, Australian imports of prefab goods from Asia have been steadily climbing year over year.
Chinese prefab exports dominate the market, followed by those from Vietnam and Malaysia, mirroring patterns seen in broader construction material imports such as steel.
As Australia grapples with a housing affordability crisis, prefab housing has emerged as one potential solution to increase housing supply. Experts say imports of prefab components from Asia and elsewhere are likely to continue climbing to supplement locally-made materials.
This push towards prefab – assembling modular and stand-alone parts manufactured off-site into full homes – comes as the housing shortage has rocketed to the top of the national agenda. With the cost of living crisis as a backdrop, housing affordability has become a crucial issue ahead of next year’s elections.
More and more people are talking about prefab in an Australian context
“There’s no doubt that the electorate’s mind is focused on cost of living issues with housing at its root,” said Matthew Kandelaars, Property Council of Australia’s group executive on policy and advocacy. “More and more people are talking about prefab in an Australian context, given the significant national housing supply deficit that we’re facing.”
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