If you’ve taken a drive around regional Victoria or the outer suburbs recently, you’ve probably noticed a new trend: tiny homes and portable prefab units popping up just about everywhere. Whether it’s a regional block, behind an existing home, or quietly tucked away on a coastal property, Victorians are proudly turning to portable housing for one big reason: practicality.
For years, the dream was a big house on a big block. Now, as costs climb and flexibility becomes more valuable than square metres, those dreams are shifting. People are choosing smarter, more efficient spaces, i.e., homes that move with them, no longer the other way round.
For over three decades, our team has been designing and delivering prefab homes across Victoria. We’ve seen firsthand how prefab construction streamlines the building process while providing residents with the style, quality, and comfort that make the most of life in this beautiful state.
What Is a Portable Prefab Home?
Just as its name suggests, a portable prefab home is a ready-made dwelling built off-site and transported to wherever you need it. The “prefab” refers to prefabricated, meaning most of the work happens in a controlled environment. Once it’s built, the structure is delivered and installed on your property, and most times, within the same day.
Prefab homes come in all shapes and sizes. Some are compact granny flats, suitable as natural extensions of your existing home, while others are a little more substantial, functioning as fully self-contained homes, equipped with kitchens, bathrooms, and decks.
The key difference between a portable prefab home and a traditional build? They’re designed for portability and speed.
At Tood Devine Homes, our prefab homes are built to meet Victorian regulations while prioritising comfort and using the highest-quality materials. Constructed in a controlled facility, our process minimises delays and ensures consistency. For a detailed overview of our step-by-step process, click here to learn more.
Why Victorians Are Switching
More and more Victorians are increasingly switching to prefab homes. To understand this rising trend better, consider the following adoption statistics:
- As of 2025, between 5-8% of all new homes built in Australia are prefabricated, including modular homes.
- Due to rising demand, the Australian prefab market is estimated at USD 8.35 billion for 2025, projected to grow to USD 12.25 billion by 2030.
- Victoria has seen a notable increase in government investment in modular social housing (e.g., $10.1 million dedicated to the Big Housing Build project).
Moreover, with the Victorian construction industry facing deep supply constraints, new dwelling completions, and approvals at decade lows, the demand for prefab homes is on the rise. Several key factors driving the trend include:
- The desire for homeownership. Property prices across Victoria have put home ownership out of reach for many. A portable tiny home offers a realistic way to get started, whether it’s placed on family land, a leased site, or acreage. You’re getting a complete home without taking on decades of debt.
- Speed and convenience. A traditional build can take a year or more once you factor in permits, trades, weather delays, and supply issues. A prefab home can be ready in as little as a few months.
- Improved sustainability. Tiny and prefab homes are built with efficiency in mind. Smaller spaces mean lower energy bills, less waste, and a smaller environmental footprint. Many Victorians are drawn to that sustainable, low-impact lifestyle. This also aligns well with off-grid living and renewable setups.
- Significant lifestyle changes. The post-COVID era has had a lot of people reassessing what they want from their living spaces. A portable home allows you to live closer to nature or away from the city grind, without giving up modern comforts.
Key Features to Look For
If you’re considering a portable prefab home, here’s what to check before signing off on anything:
- Structural steel frames or high-grade timber, proper insulation, and weather-resistant cladding suited to Victorian conditions.
- A home that’s designed to move easily and safely.
- Good insulation, double glazing, and optional solar integration can make a huge difference in comfort and long-term costs.
- The home should meet the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and the National Construction Code (NCC).
- Design flexibility. Some builders, like Todd Devine Homes, allow layout tweaks, extra storage, wider doors, or different façade finishes. These small details can make a big difference in how livable the space feels
How to Get Started With Todd Devine Homes
Getting started is simpler than most people think. First, the team works with you to understand your site, needs, and intended use, whether it’s a permanent residence, a guest suite, or a rental.
From there, we’ll guide you through council requirements and manage the entire off-site build. Once completed, your home is delivered and installed, ready for you to move in.
Explore some of our most popular portable tiny home models:
- The Bright
- The Nicholson
- The Ovens
- The Melaleuca… and more.
Curious to see what’s possible? Our display centre is located at 816 Mountain Highway, Bayswater, VIC 3153, and is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Let’s bring your new home to life. Contact Todd Devine Homes today.
