- Cook Government launches $50 million Housing Innovation Fund
- Program boosts housing supply as part of government's efforts to ensure every Western Australian has a home
- Fund includes competitive grant program plus a low-interest loan scheme
- Grants of up to $5 million to support WA businesses adopting prefabricated, modular and advanced building technologies
- Initiative will cut build times, reduce costs, strengthen local manufacturing, and deliver more affordable, environmentally sustainable homes throughout WA
The Cook Government is prioritising a home for every Western Australian with the launch of its $50 million Housing Innovation Fund (HIF).
The HIF - a key part of the government's Made in WA plan - offers a mix of grants and loans aimed at increasing the uptake of modern methods of construction, improving productivity and strengthening local manufacturing capability.
The first stage, launched today, is a competitive grant program, with grants of up to $5 million on offer to support WA businesses adopting prefabricated, modular, and automated building technologies.
These grants are designed to drive innovation and support business transformation, strengthen WA's housing manufacturing and supply chain capacity, and accelerate modern methods of construction to reduce costs, shorten build times, and deliver more environmentally sustainable homes.
By supporting large-scale, industry-shaping projects, the HIF aims to future-proof WA's residential housing industry and improve housing supply and affordability throughout the State.
Applicants can apply for grants of up to $5 million, with a 50 per cent co-contribution required.
The second stage of the HIF - in which low-interest loans will be available to eligible applicants also involved in prefabrication, modular systems, and advanced manufacturing opportunities - is expected to be opened early in 2026.
For more information, visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-energy-and-economic-diversification/housing-innovation-fund
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Western Australia's economy is the strongest in the nation, but our growing population has put pressure on our State's housing market.
"My government is working hard every day to ensure every Western Australian has a home.
"Our efforts to improve housing supply and affordability are working, as demonstrated by 22,600 new homes being built last financial year, up by 25.1 per cent, the strongest growth in the nation.
"By supporting new construction methods, my government will continue to ensure a steady stream of affordable housing is made available for all Western Australians."
As stated by Deputy Premier and Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
"The Housing Innovation Fund will support builders and manufacturers to embrace modern construction methods and improve productivity across the supply chain to help drive the delivery of housing across our State.
"Innovation in housing construction can not only cut build times and costs but helps future-proof the industry so it can continue to meet demand.
"This Fund is part of a broad range of initiatives our government is undertaking to boost housing supply, with more than $5.8 billion invested in housing and homelessness measures since 2021."
As stated by Manufacturing Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Western Australia has the skills, innovation and manufacturing know-how to lead the nation in modern methods of construction.
"The Housing Innovation Fund will help local manufacturers scale up and bring new building technologies to market.
"By supporting businesses to adopt prefabrication, modular systems and advanced automation, we're strengthening local supply chains and creating high-value manufacturing jobs right here in WA."
As stated by Housing and Works Minister John Carey:
"Whether it's the purchase of Fraser Suites for social and affordable housing or rolling out new modular products through Keystart, we are thinking outside the box to deliver more supply.
"This Fund is a powerful demonstration of our government's commitment to partnering with industry to support more Western Australians into secure housing."
