In a rare and prestigious moment for Australian manufacturing, two Victorian Ministers visited iBuild’s Heidelberg West factory to announce the extension of the $4.25 million Digital Jobs program. The Hon. Danny Pearson, Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs and Minister for Finance, together with the Hon. Anthony Carbines, Member for Ivanhoe and Minister for Police, Community Safety, Victims and Racing, chose iBuild as the backdrop for this significant announcement.
This historic dual ministerial visit represents a milestone for iBuild, cementing our recognition as a Victorian success story in advanced manufacturing and digital innovation.
A Showcase of
Innovation and Achievement
The ministerial tour began at iBuild’s comprehensive exhibit wall, showcasing major achievements from our award-winning designs to key projects such as the Reservoir Railway Station project and international milestones like the Royal Malaysia Palace, demonstrating our impact across local, national and global markets.
The Ministers then explored our state-of-the-art Digital Design Hub, where our skilled team demonstrated advanced 3D CAD and BIM capabilities that are revolutionizing the construction industry. The highlight came on the factory floor, where Minister Pearson pressed the symbolic “Green Button” to commence fabrication of wall frames for a Werribee client’s home – a powerful moment witnessed by the delighted clients themselves.
To commemorate this historic visit, both Ministers signed custom mini-house frames branded with iBuild and Digital Jobs logos, creating a lasting symbol of the partnership between innovative industry and forward-thinking government.
Government Recognition
of Digital Leadership
The Ministers’ remarks positioned iBuild as a prime example of how digital innovation is transforming Victoria’s construction and manufacturing sectors for the better.
He emphasised that addressing Australia’s housing challenges demands innovative approaches, not outdated methods – highlighting how iBuild’s digital design, prefabrication, and advanced manufacturing deliver faster, smarter outcomes for the market.
Transcript
Minister Danny Pearson: It’s great to be here with my good friend, the Member for Ivanhoe, Anthony Carbines, Jackson Yin, CEO of iBuild Building Solutions, and the entire iBuild team. This is nothing short of spectacular, and you can see what can be achieved when award-winning businesses like iBuild are able to work in partnership with the government through programs like the Digital Jobs program to create something incredibly special. We are in a housing crisis as a nation, and we’ve got to get more supply. If we just use the same old methods of years gone by, we’re going to get the same old results. When the baby boomers were first starting to purchase their homes, there were a lot of kit homes and a lot of standardised designs, and that helped meet the volume needed to deal with rising demand. That’s exactly what we’ve got to do.
The Digital Jobs program has already equipped more than 6,000 Victorians with up-to-date digital skills, including over 500 manufacturing workers. That program was part of the Economic Growth Statement from last year, where we invested a total of $240 million. I’m really pleased that by the Digital Jobs program working with iBuild, you can start to build up the workforce, increase the talent pool, and also have more highly skilled workers. As a government, we’ve provided funding of $4.25 million to extend the program over the next two years to support increased digital adoption in the priority sectors of construction and advanced manufacturing. This means eligible businesses will receive free training to upskill workers and leaders. That’s part of our plan to build our economic credentials and increase the capacity of the Victorian economy, driving competitiveness, productivity, fostering innovation, attracting investment, and creating high-skill jobs.
I think what the team has done here at iBuild is demonstrating that this works. When government works in partnership with the private sector, you get fantastic outcomes. We will break the back of the housing crisis in the nation and show the rest of the country how it’s done by having really good, innovative programs like the Digital Jobs program, a fantastic business like iBuild, and a talented and diverse workforce. Excellent, thank you.
Minister Pearson was effusive in his praise:
“Nothing short of spectacular… when award-winning businesses like iBuild work in partnership with the government through programs like the Digital Jobs program, we can create something incredibly special.”
Minister Carbines focused on the tangible local benefits:
“Businesses and workers in Heidelberg know first-hand the benefits of this program. It helps workers build the skills they need for high-skilled jobs in the local community.”
These endorsements validate iBuild’s core philosophy: digital technologies aren’t optional add-ons, but rather the essential foundation for building stronger, smarter, faster, and more affordable homes. Read more in the Premier of Victoria’s media release.
From Humble Garage to Global Recognition
This transformation from suburban garage startup to award-winning international exporter exemplifies Australian manufacturing excellence. The Digital Jobs program has served as a catalyst in this journey, enhancing our capabilities and enabling us to deliver housing solutions that are genuinely smarter, faster, and more affordable.
Transcript
Jackson Yin: I’m honoured to welcome the Hon. Danny Pearson, Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, and the Hon. Anthony Carbines, Member for Ivanhoe – thank you both for visiting us. And to Nanette Fitzgerald and Xenia Haysom from the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions – thank you for your strong support. Welcome also to our partners, media representatives, and our hardworking iBuild team.
Just over ten years ago, iBuild began with a simple belief: that digital technologies would help revolutionise manufacturing and construction. Starting from a garage, that vision has taken us beyond what we dared imagine. Today, we supply hundreds of kit homes and prefabricated buildings to clients across Australia and internationally – from everyday families to even a Royal Palace in Malaysia. One of our proudest moments was receiving the Governor of Victoria Export Award, then going on to represent Victoria and win the national title at the 59th Australian Export Awards – a recognition of Victorian innovation on the global stage.
The Victorian Government’s Digital Jobs program has been a catalyst in this journey. It gave our team vital digital skills in 3D computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, and building information modelling, to name just a few. The impact has been phenomenal – lifting capability, capacity, and efficiency. For example, on the Royal Malaysian Palace project, we delivered in record time, ahead of the monsoon season, and achieved a defect rate of 0%.
We are delighted to hear Minister Pearson’s announcement of the Digital Jobs program’s next phase, focusing on construction and advanced manufacturing. On behalf of our team, I sincerely thank the Victorian Government for your support. That support has enabled a small business like us to punch well above our weight on the global stage, and we’re excited to see more Victorian businesses benefit – building smarter, faster, and more affordably.
Let’s continue proudly carrying the Australian Made flag and showcasing what Made in Victoria has to offer to the world.
The ministerial visit provided CEO Jackson Yin with an opportunity to reflect on iBuild’s remarkable journey:
“Starting from a garage, that vision has taken us beyond what we dared imagine. Today we supply hundreds of kit homes and prefab buildings to clients around Australia and internationally – from everyday families to even a royal palace in Malaysia.”
Building Tomorrow, Today
With renewed Victorian Government support through the extended Digital Jobs program, iBuild is positioned to continue leading the charge in innovative housing solutions. We remain committed to building stronger, smarter, faster, and more affordable homes while proudly carrying the Australian Made flag – creating homes for Australian families today while showcasing Victorian innovation to the world.
This ministerial visit marks not just recognition of our achievements, but validation of our vision for the future of Australian manufacturing and housing delivery.