Aged care operators, regional councils and builders face a gap that grows every year. As at 28 October 2026, The Weekly Source reports that Australia needs about 10,600 new aged care places a year, yet only 802 were added in 2024-25. About 4,000 new beds are forecast for 2026-27. In regional towns the problem is sharper. Older residents want to stay near family, but local builders rarely have the crews to deliver a new wing or a cluster of seniors homes on time.
The numbers
- About 10,600 new places needed each year (The Weekly Source).
- 802 places added in 2024-25 (The Weekly Source).
- About 4,000 new beds forecast for 2026-27 (The Weekly Source).
- 54 two-bedroom modular seniors homes across 17 Wheatbelt sites in WA, with $16.96m state and $10.24m Housing Australia Future Fund money (Australian Manufacturing, 17 August 2026).
Why low-rise modular fits the regions
Regional aged care is mostly low-rise. Rooms repeat, corridors are long and single level, and wet areas follow the same layout. That suits volumetric modules. Rooms built in the factory arrive with ensuites and linings done, so an operator can add a wing next to a running facility with less noise and fewer trades on site. Independent living units and seniors homes follow the same logic. The Wheatbelt programme shows the model being used across many small towns at once.
What EcoPrestige supplies
- Engineered structural steel volumetric modules for aged care rooms, ensuites and corridor sections, built and inspected in an offsite factory.
- Seniors and independent living home modules.
- Module design coordinated with your consultants, including fire, access and services engineers.
- A delivery plan that keeps the running facility safe.
Our modular aged care accommodation guide covers layouts and compliance in more detail.
What does not fit
Multi-storey aged care towers on tight city sites are not a good fit. Kitchens, laundries and plant rooms with heavy equipment are often better built on site. Where an operator needs a dementia-specific layout with unusual geometry, we review it before saying modular will work.
The approval path
Residential aged care is typically Class 9c, confirmed by your building surveyor. Seniors homes are typically Class 1a. In NSW, WA, SA, the ACT and the NT, EcoPrestige coordinates the module design with your consultants; permit drawings are issued by the registered or licensed practitioner the state requires. In NSW, Class 9c buildings need a registered design practitioner and a registered engineer until the 2026 Act commences. In Queensland, permit drawings are issued under a QBCC licensed building designer. In Tasmania, they are issued by a licensed Tasmanian building designer. Confirm with your building surveyor or certifier.
The programme
The factory builds room modules while the builder prepares footings, services and connections to the existing building. Factory and site run in parallel, so time on site is shorter and residents live with construction for less time. For councils weighing a project, see our page on modular buildings for regional councils.
What to send us
- 1. The town and site, and whether a facility is running on it.
- 2. Room or home numbers and types.
- 3. The operator and its care model.
- 4. Any concept plans.
- 5. Consultants appointed, including fire.
- 6. Access for trucks and a crane.
For staff housing near the facility, see our notes on regional key worker housing.
Regional modular aged care: questions
How many aged care places does Australia need?
The Weekly Source reports that aged care needs about 10,600 new places a year, that 802 were added in 2024-25 and that about 4,000 new beds are forecast for 2026-27.
What NCC class is aged care?
Residential aged care is typically Class 9c, confirmed by your building surveyor.
Who designs a Class 9c building in NSW?
Until the 2026 Act commences, Class 9c buildings in NSW need a registered design practitioner and a registered engineer under the Design & Building Practitioners Act.
Are there regional modular seniors homes already?
Australian Manufacturing reported on 17 August 2026 that 54 two-bedroom modular seniors homes are going across 17 Wheatbelt sites in WA.
Is EcoPrestige the aged care builder?
No. EcoPrestige supplies the modules. Your builder holds the head contract and the site.
Planning aged care or seniors homes in a regional town?
Send the site, the use and any drawings to prebuilt@ecoprestige.com.au or download our technical brochures.
Related: modular aged care buildings Victoria