SA Housing & Modern Methods of Construction Forum 2026

Building Better, Faster: Local Innovation, Global Lessons

Adelaide University and Shinka Management invite professionals from across the housing, building and construction sectors to the SA Housing & Modern Methods of Construction Forum 2026, to be held in Adelaide on Wednesday, 25 November.

Australia continues to face significant challenges in delivering the volume of housing required to meet demand. Housing undersupply, lengthy construction lead times, rising costs, workforce constraints and productivity challenges are increasing the need to examine new approaches to how homes are designed, manufactured, procured and built.

This forum will bring together perspectives from industry, government and academia to explore developments in South Australia and across Australia, together with relevant examples and lessons from leading housing markets overseas.

Particular attention will be given to the growing role of modern methods of construction and industrialized housing, including off-site manufacturing, prefabrication and modular construction, as well as the systems, technologies and supply chains required to deliver housing more efficiently and at greater scale.

International examples, including experience from Japan and other markets, will provide an opportunity to consider how different approaches to housing production and delivery may inform the development of Australia’s housing sector. The emphasis will be on identifying practical lessons that can be adapted to Australian conditions rather than simply replicating overseas models.

What the Forum Will Explore

Topics to be explored in the 2026 forum:

• Developments affecting housing supply and construction in South Australia and nationally
• Emerging government and industry initiatives to increase housing delivery
• Modern methods of construction, industrialized housing and off-site manufacturing
• Opportunities to reduce construction lead times and improve productivity
• Approaches to managing cost, quality and workforce constraints
• Australian innovation and emerging industry capability
• International housing and construction models, including examples from Japan and other markets
• Barriers to the adoption and scaling of new construction methods
• Opportunities for collaboration between industry, government and academia

The forum will feature presentations from industry and subject-matter experts, followed by discussion on the opportunities and challenges associated with modernizing housing delivery in South Australia and Australia.

Further information regarding speakers and the forum program will be announced as details are confirmed.

2025 Industry Briefing

This forum builds on the 2025 industry briefing jointly hosted by UniSA, PrefabAus and Shinka Management. The 2025 event focused on Insights from Japan’s Prefabrication and Modular Construction Models, exploring lessons from Japan’s industrialized housing sector and their relevance to Australia.

The event report and presentation recordings can be accessed here.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, 25 November 2026
Location: Enterprise and Innovation Hub, Adelaide University, 9 Light Square, Adelaide
Time: 17:00 – 19:00 | Doors open 16:40 | Networking over refreshments from 18:30
Registration: Complimentary, via form below
RSVP: Registrations close 5pm, Friday, 20 November 2026

Speaker details will be released as they become available.

The SA Housing & Modern Methods of Construction Forum is an annual event, providing a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing and collaboration around new approaches to improving housing delivery in South Australia and Australia.

Please note spaces are limited and RSVP may close early if event reaches capacity

Inquiries: https://shinkamanagement.com/contact-us/

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For those unable to make it on the day, please register your interest below in receiving a recording of the presentations and a summary from the event.

Hosted jointly by the Adelaide University and lean manufacturing consultants Shinka Management.