A modular building in NSW needs a registered design practitioner, and a registered engineer for the structure, when it is a Class 2, Class 3 or Class 9c building. That covers apartments, most motels, student housing and workforce accommodation, and aged care. Class 1, Class 10 and Class 5 to 9b buildings have no designer registration requirement, and a registered certifier issues the approval, so confirm the class and who must sign with your building surveyor or certifier.
This page is for NSW builders, developers, community housing providers and aged care operators. The problem is that a modular project often changes class as it develops. A set of cabins becomes short-stay units, or a home becomes a group of rooms, and the practitioner obligations change with it. Settle the class first.
Why modular fits NSW
The NSW Government is backing modern methods of construction. Its “From factory to front door” plan, released on 21 June 2026 with the 2026-27 Budget, runs a two-stage tender for factory operators and sets government procurement to favour these methods. Homes NSW reported on 9 February 2026 that three modular homes at Shellharbour went from approval to completion in 14 to 16 weeks. See modular social housing in NSW and modular accommodation buildings in NSW.
Which classes need a registered design practitioner
- Class 2: apartment buildings.
- Class 3: motels and student housing, and often workforce accommodation (typically Class 1b or 3).
- Class 9c: aged care.
Each class is confirmed by your building surveyor. For these classes, the Design & Building Practitioners Act requires regulated designs to be prepared and declared by registered practitioners, with a registered engineer for the structure. That law still applies until the new Act commences.
What changes with the 2026 Act
The Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Act 2026 passed Parliament on 4 August 2026 and received assent on 14 August 2026, Master Builders NSW reported. It defines prefabricated buildings and brings their manufacture, supply, transport and installation into the approvals system, with prefabricated building declarations and instructions to be set by regulation. Most of it starts on dates set by proclamation, and the regulations are being consulted on through 2026 and 2027. Our page on the NSW prefabricated building law tracks it.
What EcoPrestige supplies
EcoPrestige supplies engineered structural steel volumetric modules, built and inspected in an offsite factory. For a regulated design we provide structural details, connection drawings, fire and wet area product data, and factory hold point records your practitioners can rely on. EcoPrestige coordinates the module design with your consultants; permit drawings are issued by the registered or licensed practitioner the state requires.
What does not fit
High-rise apartments are rarely built as whole modules; there modular fits better as components and bathroom pods. Class 2 and 9c work also carries detailed fire separation and access rules, so layouts with long corridors or complex fire compartments need early review. We will not start production on a regulated design until the declared drawings are settled.
The approval path in NSW
- Regulated design (Class 2, 3, 9c): a registered design practitioner and a registered engineer.
- Other classes: no designer registration, but drawings must meet the NCC.
- Certification: a registered certifier.
- Homes: BASIX applies.
The programme
Regulated designs are declared before the factory starts. Then the factory builds the modules while the builder prepares the site. Factory and site work run in parallel, so time on site is shorter.
What to send us
- 1. Site address and the intended use of each building.
- 2. The class your certifier expects.
- 3. Drawings at whatever stage they are.
- 4. Your design practitioner, engineer and certifier, if appointed.
- 5. The number of rooms or homes and your target dates.
NSW registered design practitioners and modular: questions
Which NSW modular buildings need a registered design practitioner?
Class 2, Class 3 and Class 9c buildings, under the current NSW practitioner law until the 2026 Act commences. Confirm the class with your building surveyor.
Does a modular granny flat in NSW need one?
A home or secondary dwelling is typically Class 1a, which has no designer registration requirement. BASIX applies and a registered certifier certifies the work.
Is the 2026 Act in force yet?
Most of it starts on dates set by proclamation, and the regulations are still being consulted on. Until then the current practitioner law applies.
Who prepares the regulated designs?
Your registered design practitioners and registered engineer. EcoPrestige supplies the module information they need to prepare and declare them.
Working out who must sign on a NSW modular project?
Send the site, the use and any drawings to prebuilt@ecoprestige.com.au or download our technical brochures.