New AHIA Resource: Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Guidance

Date published 18/09/2025

We are pleased to advise that a new resource, ‘AHIA Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Guidance’, been uploaded to the AusHFG website. 

This resource has been developed to assist stakeholders in identifying and implementing innovative construction methodologies that improve the speed, cost-effectiveness, and quality of health infrastructure projects.  
 
The MMC Guidance includes the following key elements:

  • An overview of terminology including a definition of MMC and description of the various MMC types.
  • Key benefits of MMC.
  • Key challenges to MMC including regulatory and policy barriers, financial constraints such as limited competition and cost modelling issues, and workforce skill gaps.
  • Recommendations for MMC implementation including identifying project suitability and applying decision-making frameworks to determine when and where MMC should be used in healthcare.
  • Implementation guidance covering key considerations across project phases, design, and decision-making processes. This includes detailed advice on project phase management, design best practices, and a structured decision-making framework.

Appendices

  • Seven case studies from across Australia, highlighting lessons learnt from diverse healthcare infrastructure initiatives such as community health centres, inpatient surge facilities, and worker accommodation programs.
  • Current jurisdictional approaches to MMC, an overview of MMC adoption, as well as procurement and management strategies across different regions.
  • Summary of key lessons learned from delivering MMC in healthcare projects, highlighting best practices and challenges encountered.
  • The risks and issues specific to MMC implementation within healthcare infrastructure.

MMC offers significant potential to respond to increasing pressures on capital works programs, including skills shortages, cost escalation, and demand for rapid delivery, by leveraging standardised design, prefabrication, offsite manufacturing, digital integration, and other advanced construction technologies.  This new guidance document provides a nationally consistent, practical resource that defines MMC, outlines its benefits and limitations, and shares key lessons learned from recent projects across Australia and New Zealand.
 
We would like to acknowledge Sensum Pty Ltd for their contribution, as well as to all the individuals and stakeholders who contributed to the development of this resource.
 
Kind Regards,
AusHFG Team