Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence delivers Australia’s first Certificate III in Prefabrication Installation course
MELBOURNE, 16 JULY 2026: Australia’s first Certificate III in Prefabrication Installation is launching at Melbourne Polytechnic’s Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence, with an initial pilot intake marking a significant step forward for national training in modern methods of construction and for students seeking practical, job-ready skills for a changing industry.
As Australia faces mounting pressure to increase housing supply while improving affordability and sustainability, the construction industry is undergoing a significant shift. Modern methods of construction (MMC) are playing a growing role in how projects are delivered, with prefabricated, modular, panelised and pod-based systems offering new ways to build more efficiently. This shift requires a workforce with the skills to install and work with these emerging building systems on-site.
The new qualification was launched by Federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles MP, Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE Colin Brooks MP and Anthony Carbines MP, local Member for Ivanhoe at the Centre’s Heidelberg Campus.
The Certificate III in Prefabrication Installation equips learners with the practical skills to work with these modern building systems and will prepare students for jobs including Prefabrication Installer, Modular Construction Worker, Offsite Manufacturing Technician and Construction Trades Assistant.
For industry, the Certificate III course will support access to a steady pipeline of appropriately trained installers, helping employers build the workforce capability needed to adopt MMC at scale.
The initial pilot intake will be delivered by Melbourne Polytechnic’s Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence through a mix of online learning, workplace delivery and hands-on training blocks, this course simulates real prefabrication installation environments. Students will learn communication, teamwork, safety and problem-solving skills needed to work effectively in MMC.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training, The Hon Andrew Giles MP, said the Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence is helping upskill Australian workers in a rapidly evolving construction industry to build the homes Australia needs.
“Building more homes, more efficiently starts with building the skilled workforce Australia needs.”
“This new qualification will help more Australians develop the practical skills needed to embrace modern construction methods and deliver more homes, faster.”
Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE, The Hon Colin Brooks MP, said the new course in prefabrication installation shows how Victoria’s TAFE system is adapting to the changing needs of industry.
“Victoria’s construction sector employs nearly 350,000 people – we need more skilled workers to build the homes and energy projects Victoria needs.”
“New technology means new skills. This course makes sure our tradies are ready for it.”
Victorian Minister for Housing and Building, The Hon Nick Staikos MP, said, “Modern methods of construction mean more quality homes built faster, and this course builds the skilled workforce to make it happen.”
Victorian Member for Ivanhoe, The Hon Anthony Carbines MP, said, “Having Australia’s first accredited prefabrication qualification delivered here in Heidelberg West is a huge win for local students, local jobs and our community.”
Frances Coppolillo, Chief Executive of Melbourne Polytechnic, said this new qualification shows how the Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence is bringing industry and education together.
“The Centre is working closely with industry to identify emerging workforce needs and translate them quickly into practical training.”
“For students, this means developing the hands-on skills and confidence to work with prefabricated building systems and join a growing area of construction.”
Damien Crough, Executive Chairman of prefabAUS, said, “The future of construction depends on people as much as technology. This qualification gives industry confidence that graduates will have the practical skills needed to deliver high-quality prefabricated buildings at scale.”
