Schools should buy or hire portable classrooms when the need is short term, such as an enrolment bump, a rebuild or a decanting period, and the rooms will move on afterwards. They should choose modular classrooms when the space is needed for many years, must perform like a permanent teaching building, and will be joined to toilets, staff rooms or other buildings. Both are made offsite, but a modular classroom is built and approved as a long-term school building.
This page is for school business managers, principals, independent and Catholic school boards, education departments and the builders who deliver their works. The problem is that a second-hand portable can look like a quick answer, but it may need upgrades, transport, new footings and a fresh approval before a single child uses it.
Why modular fits schools
School works have hard deadlines: the room must be ready for the first day of term. Factory construction suits that, because modules are built while the school is still running and the site work is planned around holidays. Education departments already use the model. In WA, the Department of Education runs modular kindy, pre-primary and toilet block programs each school year, and the 2026 mid-year round was awarded on 9 September 2026. Our page on modular schools in Perth and WA covers that pipeline.
Portable or modular: how to decide
- How long is it needed? A term or two suits a portable. Many years suits modular.
- Will it join other buildings? Linked classrooms, covered walkways and shared toilets suit modular.
- What comfort is needed? Insulation, acoustics and daylight are set to the specification of a permanent building in a modular classroom.
- Will it move? A modular classroom can be engineered to relocate, but that must be designed in from the start.
Our guide to modular vs portable vs transportable buildings explains the terms.
What EcoPrestige supplies
EcoPrestige supplies engineered structural steel volumetric modules, built and inspected in an offsite factory. For schools that includes:
- General learning classrooms, single or joined in pairs.
- Kindy and pre-primary rooms with wet areas.
- Toilet blocks, including accessible toilets.
- Staff rooms, offices and storage.
We supply to the builder who holds the school’s contract. We do not sell second-hand portables.
What does not fit
Halls, gyms and performing arts spaces need wide spans and high ceilings that a transportable module usually cannot reach. Sites with no crane access or tight inner-city frontages can rule out large modules. And if the school only needs a room for one term, a hired portable is the more sensible option.
The approval path
School buildings are typically Class 9b, confirmed by your building surveyor. A permanent building needs a building permit or approval like any other building. Government schools may also have their own design standards set by the department. EcoPrestige coordinates the module design with your consultants; permit drawings are issued by the registered or licensed practitioner the state requires. Who signs the structure and who issues the approval depends on the state, so confirm with your building surveyor or certifier. See our building permit guide for modular buildings.
The programme
Work back from the start of term. Design comes first, then approval, then the factory builds the classrooms while the builder prepares footings and services, often during school holidays. Factory and site work run in parallel, so time on site is shorter, which matters on a live school site.
What to send us
- 1. The school address and a site plan showing access.
- 2. How many rooms you need and what they are for.
- 3. The term the rooms must open.
- 4. Whether they must link to existing buildings.
- 5. Your builder or project manager, if appointed.
For early learning centres, see 25 questions on modular childcare centres.
Portable and modular classrooms: questions schools ask
Should a school buy a second-hand portable classroom?
It suits short-term needs. Check the cost of transport, new footings, upgrades and a fresh approval before buying, as the room must meet current requirements for its new site.
What NCC class is a classroom?
School buildings are typically Class 9b, confirmed by your building surveyor.
Can modular classrooms be built during the school year?
Yes. The factory builds the modules while the school runs. Site work and installation are usually planned around holidays.
Can a modular classroom be moved later?
It can if it is engineered and approved to relocate. That must be designed in from the start.
How are modular classrooms priced?
The supply price is quoted for your site once we know the number of rooms, the layout and the access.
Planning new classrooms for a school or kindy?
Send the site, the use and any drawings to prebuilt@ecoprestige.com.au or download our technical brochures.