Back

New course builds skills to support wider adoption of modern methods of construction in Australia

Melbourne Polytechnic

Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence responds to industry demand with new training to support modern housing delivery

MELBOURNE, 22 JUNE 2026: Melbourne Polytechnic’s Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence (the Centre) today launched a new, free microcredential, Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), which addresses a critical workforce skills gap identified by industry as a barrier to more widespread adoption of modern methods of construction.

DfMA is widely recognised as a foundational capability for organisations seeking to adopt MMC. It requires project teams to consider manufacturing, transport, assembly and construction requirements from the earliest stages of design, helping improve buildability, increase productivity, reduce waste, and support more efficient project delivery.

As Australia seeks to increase housing supply while improving productivity and sustainability outcomes, strengthening DfMA capability across the workforce is becoming increasingly important.

Federal Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Andrew Giles MP, said the Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence demonstrates how Australia's national network of Centres of Excellence is helping address emerging workforce and productivity challenges.

"The nationally-networked TAFE Centres of Excellence are bringing together industry, TAFEs and other stakeholders to tackle some of Australia's most pressing workforce and productivity challenges.

"Through industry-led training and national collaboration, the Future of Housing Construction TAFE Centre of Excellence is leading the development of a modernised national construction workforce to build the homes Australians need. Through its innovative programs, it is supporting the construction industry to adopt modern methods of construction that will strengthen Australia's housing sector and create opportunities for workers across the country.

"This new course demonstrates how the Centre is responding directly to industry needs and helping to build the workforce needed for the future."

Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE, The Hon Colin Brooks MP said Victoria needed more skilled workers to build more homes and TAFE was central to delivering that workforce.

“Victoria is building more homes and we need more skilled workers to help deliver them – that’s why we’re investing in the training that will give people the practical skills our construction industry needs. TAFE is training the next generation of tradies and construction workers who will help us meet our ambitious housing targets, while ensuring they have the skills to work with new and innovative building methods.

“Modern methods of construction can help us build homes faster, smarter and more efficiently, but we need a workforce with the right capabilities to make that happen.

“Through the Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence, we’re equipping people across Australia with practical, industry-led training that will help grow the workforce needed to build more homes and support Victoria’s future. The Centre is backed by a joint $50 million investment from the Allan and Albanese Governments and is helping ensure our training system keeps pace with the evolving needs of the housing and construction industry."

Frances Coppolillo, Chief Executive of Melbourne Polytechnic, said the new course demonstrated the role of the Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence as an industry-led national hub for skills development.

"The Centre was established to work closely with industry to identify emerging capability needs and respond quickly with relevant education and training solutions.

"Industry told us that design for manufacture and assembly capability was critical to supporting wider adoption of modern methods of construction, and this course is a direct response to that feedback.

"One of the strengths of the Centre is its ability to work with industry partners to rapidly design and deliver new training that addresses real workforce challenges and supports the future of housing construction in Australia."

Damien Crough, Executive Chairman of prefabAUS, said DfMA capability was essential if Australia wanted to unlock the full benefits of MMC.

"One of the biggest barriers to wider adoption of modern methods of construction is that many projects are still being designed using traditional approaches and then adapted for manufacturing later.

"DfMA turns that thinking around. It brings manufacturing, logistics, assembly and construction considerations into the design process from the beginning, resulting in projects that are more efficient, more predictable and easier to deliver.

"Industry has been calling for more practical training in this area, so it's encouraging to see the Centre respond quickly with a course that helps build this capability across the workforce."

The new online DfMA course is the third in the Centre’s national training program. Developed quickly as a direct response to industry needs, the course draws on the knowledge and experience of subject matter experts, including partner, prefabAUS, to ensure the training addresses real industry needs.

It has been developed for construction professionals, businesses and people entering the industry who need to understand the design principles that underpin successful MMC projects.

Enrolments to the two-hour, free online course, Design for Manufacture and Assembly Essentials, are now open. To register, visit: Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) Essentials – Melbourne Polytechnic

For more information on the Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence, visit: www.melbournepolytechnic.edu.au/about-us/future-of-housing-construction-centre-of-excellence

ENDS

Contact details:

Melissa Hong, SenateSHJ, +61 420 502 755 / [email protected]

Bridget Moylan, SenateSHJ, +61 468 325 420 / [email protected]