Aussie families not convinced by new technology designed to speed up nation’s ailing home building process

A key budget policy aimed at speeding up Aussie housing construction is facing a major question mark from the voting public.

Jim Chalmers’ budget this week announced a $54m investment in helping each of the states and territories develop modular and prefabricated housing industries, as well as funds to establish a national certification scheme.

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But the Aussie families who will be asked to consider a factory-built house instead of the traditional on-site build have flagged they’re not convinced of the technology.

Marie and Joses Kenneth are building their first home in the marginal seat of Hawke, in Melbourne’s north west.

Their single-storey, four-bedroom home is under construction via Metricon, who can complete similar homes in as little as 60 days.

Mr Kenneth said what he knew of pre-fabricated homes was from watching videos on YouTube about builds in places like Germany.

“I suppose it will be cheaper, but I probably would still go for the tried and tested method of building a home,” he said.

“I would feel a bit uncertain with modular builds.”

Marie and Joses Kenneth with their daughter Myra at the out the front their new home, which is under construction, in the marginal seat of Hawke. Picture: Brendan Beckett

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Originally from Vanuatu, they’ve raised their five kids since migrating to Australia in 2001 and while all but one has now left home, they believe the cost of living has never been tougher.

“The cost of living is the thing that needs to be addressed,” Mr Kenneth said.

The IT worker noted there was a possibility too much government support could impact inflation and consequently interest rates, he said focusing on a few key areas was probably the best play for the federal budget.

“Utilities is the big one, especially for older generations,” he said.

“But transport is also important. I work from home except once a week, when I drive into the city and park.

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“The government should support businesses to do what is best for their circumstances and employees,” he said.

A $10,000 grant to build a new home had helped his first-home dream become a reality, and Mr Kenneth said parties campaigning for an election win could look at making it “a bit bigger”.

Quick build modular houses have been flagged as a way to speed up Australia’s home building process.

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“It has really helped us and if it was bigger it might help others more, too,” he said.

Only one of his five kids currently owns a home, but Mr Kenneth said improvements to the Help to Buy shared-equity scheme by the federal government could be an important step for his other kids and many young Australians to break into the market — and even more support via the program could be useful.

“For my daughter, on her own it would be hard to get a house, and she does have the funds,” Mr Kenneth said.

“But for many the first thing has to be to find a partner as you do need a partner to cover the mortgage. That’s just the reality in Australia.”

However, he noted that the limited number of positions un the co-buying scheme was not ideal — and that he would have always sought to find an alternative means of buying a home for himself and his wife Marie-Noelle.

With an opposition budget on its way, Mr Kenneth added that budget moves that could impact his voting intentions at the looming federal election included utilities support, housing support, employment support for those heading towards retirement and anything that would help develop the Sunbury precinct.

His partner would also be happy to see current levels of support for the childcare industry maintained, and potentially for education for the sector to be given a lift, but any move that might erode that could be a vote loser.