PHOTO: 🚨 Australia’s Housing Crisis Is Getting Desperate — And Bunnings Knows It. PROPERTY NOISE
As Australia’s housing shortage deepens, one of the country’s biggest retailers has stepped into the crisis with a solution that’s turning heads — and sparking debate.
Hardware giant Bunnings has launched flat-pack backyard pods priced from just $26,100, offering homeowners a fast, DIY way to create extra living space as traditional housing becomes increasingly unaffordable.
With rental vacancies tight, construction timelines blowing out, and house prices still out of reach for many, Australians are looking beyond bricks and mortar — straight into their backyards.
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🧱 What Are Bunnings’ Flat-Pack Backyard Pods?
Bunnings has expanded into modular and pre-fabricated housing by listing Elsewhere Pods units both online and in-store.
Key options include:
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2.7m x 2.4m pod from $26,100
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5.4m x 3.6m studio from $27,157
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4m x 2.4m studio up to $42,900
These pods arrive as flat packs, complete with:
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Pre-fabricated wall panels
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Insulation and eaves
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Lockable and weatherproof construction
In some council areas, they do not require a building permit, making them even more attractive to time-poor and cost-conscious buyers.
🛠️ Built in Days — Not Years
Unlike traditional detached homes, which can take 12 months or longer to complete, Elsewhere Pods can be assembled in as little as two days.
Bunnings chief operating officer Ryan Baker said the pods offer a practical solution for Australians under pressure.
“They provide an affordable way for customers to add functional space to their homes.”
Speed, simplicity and cost are doing what policy has struggled to do — deliver liveable space fast.
🏡 Why Backyard Pods Are Exploding in Popularity
The rise of modular backyard dwellings reflects deeper cracks in Australia’s housing system.
Australians are turning to pods because:
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House prices remain high
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Rental supply is critically low
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Construction costs keep rising
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Labour shortages delay builds
Backyard pods are now commonly used as:
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Home offices
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Teenage retreats
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Guest accommodation
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Airbnb rentals
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Regional worker housing
🏛️ Governments Are Quietly Clearing the Way
Policy is finally catching up.
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Queensland and Victoria have relaxed planning rules for secondary dwellings
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The federal Housing Accord targets 1.2 million new homes by 2029
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Forecasts suggest Australia could still fall 400,000 homes short
That gap is where modular housing is rushing in.
🧠 Why Pods Often Avoid Red Tape
Elsewhere Pods founder Matt Decarne says speed and simplicity are the biggest drawcards.
“Many tiny homes, including some of our designs, don’t trigger planning or building approvals — which is a huge advantage.”
For homeowners and investors, fewer approvals mean less risk, less cost, and faster returns.
📈 A $18 Billion Industry in the Making
According to realestate.com.au, pre-fabricated and kit-built housing is one of the fastest-growing segments of Australia’s property market.
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Sector expected to grow 7% annually
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Projected to reach $18 billion by 2030
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Sales of Elsewhere Pods already exceed $9 million
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Nearly one-third of purchases are for eco-tourism and regional projects
Modular housing is no longer niche — it’s mainstream.
💰 Investors Are Paying Attention
Backyard pods are increasingly attractive to:
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Airbnb operators
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Regional landlords
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Off-grid and eco-tourism developers
Compared to traditional builds, they offer:
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Lower upfront capital
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Faster deployment
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Energy-efficient designs
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Flexible use cases
In a market starved of supply, speed equals opportunity.
🔮 Are Flat-Pack Pods the Future of Australian Housing?
Bunnings’ move signals something bigger than a new product line.
It highlights a reality many Australians already know:
👉 The traditional housing model isn’t keeping up.
While backyard pods won’t solve the crisis alone, they’re becoming a critical pressure valve — one that’s cheaper, faster, and more adaptable than anything governments have rolled out so far.