Up to $150,000 supporting manufacturers undertaking engineering feasibility studies and regulatory compliance assessments for innovative mid-rise and high-rise housing manufacturing capability in New South Wales.
On this page you will find
What is the Housing Innovation in Construction Fund (HICF)?
The Housing Innovation in Construction Fund is a NSW Government initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) by supporting manufacturers to assess and expand their capability to deliver mid-rise and high-rise residential housing in New South Wales.
The program helps commercially established domestic and international manufacturers undertake engineering feasibility studies and regulatory compliance assessments needed to establish or expand MMC manufacturing operations in NSW.
Rather than funding construction works, the program supports the technical and engineering work required to ensure innovative housing solutions comply with Australian and NSW building regulations before manufacturing commences.
Housing Innovation in Construction Fund level of support
Funding Amount
- Minimum grant: $20,000
- Maximum grant: $150,000
Co-contribution
Applicants must provide a minimum 50% co-contribution towards the total eligible project cost.
Applicants must demonstrate that their contribution is secured before the project commences.
Evidence may include:
- Audited financial statements or published annual reports for the previous three financial years
- A bank statement (issued within the previous 30 days) showing sufficient available funds
Housing Innovation in Construction Fund important dates
- Applications close: 31 March 2027 (or earlier if funding is fully allocated)
- Register your interest with GrantHelper.
Housing Innovation in Construction Fund objectives
The program aims to:
- Support Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) manufacturing capability in NSW.
- Increase delivery of mid-rise and high-rise housing.
- Assist experienced manufacturers to assess the feasibility of adapting their products to NSW regulatory requirements.
- Encourage domestic manufacturers to expand into Class 2 housing.
- Encourage international manufacturers to establish operations in NSW.
- Improve housing supply through innovative construction methods.
- Reduce barriers associated with engineering feasibility and compliance studies.
- Support investment, innovation and industrial growth aligned with the NSW Industry Policy, Trade & Investment Strategy and Innovation Blueprint.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Housing Innovation in Construction Fund support
Eligible projects must:
- Undertake a feasibility study or feasibility review.
- Benchmark existing products, designs or manufacturing processes against Australian and NSW standards.
- Include engineering compliance assessments.
- Assess compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).
- Engage Australian-based accredited engineering professionals.
- Be completed within 2–12 months.
- Include a detailed project budget.
- Comply with all relevant Australian legislation.
Projects may include:
- Engineering design reviews
- Regulatory gap analyses
- Engineering compliance assessments
- Design modifications
- Development of engineering solutions
- Fire engineering assessments
- Structural engineering assessments
- Acoustic assessments
- Accessibility assessments
- Hydraulic engineering assessments
- Electrical systems assessments
- Product testing
- Technical feasibility studies
- Compliance verification
- Project management directly related to the study
- Engineering modelling and simulation
- Regulatory certification activities
- Professional consulting required to achieve compliance
Projects must directly support establishing or expanding Modern Methods of Construction capability for Class 2 and Class 3 residential buildings in NSW. Construction or manufacturing itself is not funded.
Ineligible Projects and Expenditure
Funding is not available for:
- Capital works
- Building construction
- Property acquisition
- Building upgrades
- Facility renovations
- Equipment purchases
- General research
- Basic scientific research
- Prototype development not linked to regulatory compliance
- Software-only products
- Internal-use product development
- Training programs
- Workshops
- Maintenance
- Repairs
- General operational activities
- Marketing and advertising
- Routine business expenses
- Travel
- Insurance
- Interest payments
- Office costs
- Utilities
- Rent
- Accounting fees
- Grant writing costs
- IT equipment
- Depreciation
- Entertainment
- Donations
- Payroll taxes
- Superannuation
- Ongoing business operating expenses.
Other Housing Innovation in Construction Fund important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Housing Innovation in Construction Fund support
Applicants must:
- Be commercially established.
- Have an ABN (or equivalent international registration).
- Have operated for at least three financial years.
- Demonstrate annual turnover of at least $2.5 million for each of the previous three years.
- Demonstrate industrialised construction experience.
- Be solvent.
- Comply with taxation and regulatory obligations.
- Hold appropriate insurance.
- Demonstrate capability in Modern Methods of Construction.
Applicants must also satisfy at least one of the following:
- Existing domestic MMC provider.
- International Class 2-equivalent manufacturer.
- Existing manufacturing business expanding into MMC.
- Established Class 2 construction business diversifying into manufacturing.
- Residential industrialised construction provider.
- Cross-industry manufacturer capable of adapting products for housing.
- Business with demonstrated capability to scale manufacturing.
Not eligible:
- Individuals.
- Businesses without an ABN.
- Start-ups without commercialised products.
- Businesses unrelated to construction.
- Insolvent businesses.
- Government agencies.
- Tax-exempt businesses.
- Organisations already receiving NSW funding for the same project.
Housing Innovation in Construction Fund assessment criteria
The guidelines do not provide weighted assessment criteria or percentage scores.
Eligible applications are assessed on whether they satisfy all mandatory eligibility requirements and demonstrate strong alignment with the program objectives.
Applicants should clearly demonstrate:
Business capability
- Proven commercial experience in Modern Methods of Construction.
- Strong track record delivering industrialised construction projects.
- Existing manufacturing capability.
- Ability to scale manufacturing into Class 2 or Class 3 housing.
Financial capability
- Minimum turnover of $2.5 million over each of the previous three financial years.
- Financial capacity to meet the required 50% co-contribution.
- Evidence of financial stability and solvency.
Project quality
- Well-defined feasibility study scope.
- Clear project methodology.
- Realistic project milestones.
- Detailed project budget.
- Appropriate project timeline.
- Strong value for money.
Technical capability
- Qualified engineering team.
- Accredited Australian engineering providers.
- Appropriate regulatory expertise.
- Demonstrated understanding of Australian building standards.
Regulatory alignment
Projects should clearly demonstrate:
- National Construction Code compliance.
- NSW Design and Building Practitioners requirements.
- Fire safety compliance.
- Structural compliance.
- Accessibility compliance.
- Acoustic compliance.
- Energy efficiency considerations.
- Electrical and hydraulic compliance where applicable.
Strategic outcomes
Applicants should demonstrate how the project will:
- Expand housing manufacturing capability in NSW.
- Increase supply of mid-rise and high-rise housing.
- Support innovation within the construction sector.
- Deliver commercially viable manufacturing capability.
- Strengthen investment into NSW housing manufacturing.
- Lead to future operational manufacturing outcomes.
How do I get the Housing Innovation in Construction Fund support?
To maximise your chances of success, applicants should demonstrate:
- A commercially proven track record in industrialised construction.
- Clear alignment with the objectives of the Housing Innovation in Construction Fund.
- A well-developed feasibility study addressing a genuine regulatory or engineering challenge.
- Strong evidence the project will support future manufacturing capability in NSW.
- Appropriate engagement of accredited Australian engineering professionals.
- A realistic, well-costed project budget.
- Secured 50% co-contribution funding.
- Financial capacity to complete the project.
- A detailed project plan with achievable milestones.
- Strong understanding of Australian and NSW building regulations.
- Clear evidence the project will support future delivery of Class 2 or Class 3 residential housing.
- High-quality supporting documentation demonstrating capability, experience and previous project delivery.
Information to prepare for the Housing Innovation in Construction Fund support
Prepare:
- Completed online application.
- Portfolio of up to five relevant projects completed during the previous three years.
- Quotations from accredited engineering professionals.
- Detailed project budget.
- Scope of works.
- Financial statements covering the previous three years.
- Evidence of minimum annual turnover.
- Evidence of co-contribution funding.
- Bank statements where required.
- Business registration documentation.
- Evidence of engineering capability.
- Evidence of previous industrialised construction experience.
- Project timeline and milestones.
Applying for the Housing Innovation in Construction Fund support
Applications must be submitted online through the Investment NSW Housing Innovation in Construction webpage.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Housing Innovation in Construction Fund resources
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