Ministers for the Department of Industry, Science and Resources
The Albanese Government’s National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) is investing $120 million to build new apartments for thousands of Australians.
The NRF is co-investing alongside state government and the private sector, with Wesfarmers announcing a $100 million equity investment and the Cook Labor Government providing a further $20 million grant and land earlier this year.
The investment will support the establishment of a pilot advanced manufacturing facility for housing construction in Neerabup, Western Australia. Construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2026, with the facility capable of producing more than 2,000 apartments annually once operational, helping to boost productivity, create skilled jobs and increase housing supply.
Built Living is a joint venture between Australian-owned contractor and property group Built and Wesfarmers Limited. Established earlier this year, the venture will build residential apartments at scale through advanced manufacturing, bringing proven international manufacturing techniques into Australia’s housing sector.
Built Living’s Neerabup facility is expected to create approximately 150 jobs during construction and a further 150 ongoing roles once operational. The investment will also support workers to upskill in areas such as advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation, creating new career pathways in the construction sector.
Built Living uses an integrated development model and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) methods to produce high-quality, modular, and precast concrete components for mid-to-high-rise apartments.
The investment will bring proven advanced manufacturing methods to Australia and is expected to deliver apartments up to 20 per cent cheaper and up to 50 per cent faster than traditional construction.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres:
“The National Reconstruction Fund’s investment in Built Living will help Australia build apartments faster, cheaper and at a greater scale.
“Australia needs to build more homes, but we also need to build more capability. This project brings advanced manufacturing into the housing supply chain, lifting productivity and helping deliver more homes for Australians.
“That’s in our national interest. It means more skilled jobs and a stronger industrial base.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities Clare O’Neil:
"The Commonwealth is putting serious money on the table to help build more homes and after decades where Australia didn’t build enough-our policies are paying off.
"Built Living's Neerabup facility shows what's possible when governments, industry and manufacturers work together -apartments built faster, cheaper, and at the scale Australia actually needs.
“We’re not just funding more homes; we're backing the industry that builds them."
Quotes attributable to WA Deputy Premier and Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
“Alongside the Albanese Labor Government, we’re committed to building more homes, faster while strengthening Western Australia’s construction sector and supporting local jobs.
“By investing in two advanced manufacturing facilities in Western Australia, the Cook Government is backing innovative ways of building that will deliver more homes at a lower cost.
“These facilities will also support the delivery of more housing around our METRONET stations, so more Western Australians can live close to job opportunities and essential services.”
Quotes attributable to WA Minister for Housing and Works John Carey:
“Our Government is embracing the benefits of alternative construction methods like modular and prefabrication because it is faster and a more efficient way to build homes.
“We are embracing this approach to accelerate our record delivery of social homes by the Department of Housing and Works, with more new homes built using alternative construction methods.
“Our partnership with the Albanese Labor Government and Built Living is supporting prefabricated and modular manufacturing for medium and higher density products.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Perth Patrick Gorman:
“The Albanese Government is focused on delivering homes, delivering opportunity, and delivering hope.
“In Perth, we are getting on with the job. Making sure we build Western Australia’s future, while supporting more jobs for local workers who are on the tools.
“Investments like these have so many different benefits, which go to so many of the things my community has told me they care about; skills, jobs, housing and infrastructure.
“That is what our Government does. We identify the challenges, and we deliver the solutions.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Pearce Tracey Roberts:
“This is fantastic news for Pearce. I am proud that Neerabup has been chosen for this pilot facility, which says a lot about how far our growing northern corridor has come.
“It means around 150 jobs while it's being built and another 150 once it's up and running, putting Pearce at the heart of a faster, more affordable way to build homes. It's a big win for WA, and I look forward to seeing the benefits flow through to our community."