Imagine rocking up to a job site and seeing a robot laying down walls instead of a team of brickies. Sounds like something from the future, right?
Well, it’s already happening in Perth’s northern suburbs, where a 3D-printed home is going up in Tapping—the first of its kind in Western Australia.
Instead of trowels and wheelbarrows, this build is relying on robotic arms and a high-tech concrete mix, all controlled by Australian tech company Contec.
They reckon their wall-building bot can do the job five times faster than a human bricklayer—and at a lower cost, too.
But before you start worrying that robots are coming for your job, Contec founder Mark D’Alessandro says it’s not about replacing tradies—it’s about filling the gaps in an industry desperate for more housing.
“It’s definitely not going to be replacing any labour that we’re missing, it’s just seeking to help and assist,” he explained to 7News reporters last week.
With WA facing a massive housing shortage and bricklayers in high demand, this tech might be just what the industry needs to get more homes built—and fast.
How does a robot build a house?
It’s not as complicated as you might think. The engineers upload the home’s design, mix the special concrete, and feed it into the robotic system. Then, the robotic arms take over, laying down the walls layer by layer—no need for traditional bricks or formwork.
The robotic arms are the same ones used in BMW and Mercedes factories, meaning they’re built for precision. This allows for curved walls, intricate 3D designs on surfaces, and completely custom layouts—things that would normally take way more time and money to do by hand.
Here’s the key selling point: speed and cost savings. Contec claims their 3D-printing method is five times faster than bricklaying, and because it cuts down on material waste, scaffolding, and labour costs, it’s around 25 per cent cheaper overall.
With the Real Estate Institute of WA claiming Perth’s median housing prices have skyrocketed toward $750,000 in 2025, anything that can make homes more affordable is worth a look.
Plus, since the process doesn’t rely on as many hands-on site, it could be a game-changer for an industry struggling with worker shortages.
But D’Alessandro says the benefits go beyond just speed and cost.
“The wall is extremely straight because it’s produced by a robot. You don’t have the scaffolding requirements and the other safety constraints you have with labour-intensive construction,” he told ABCPerth radio.
With only 4,000 active home listings in WA—less than half of what’s needed for a balanced housing market—the demand for fast and cost-effective building solutions is higher than ever.
And it’s not just housing. Around the world, 3D printing tech is being used to create park benches, sea walls, warehouses, and even artificial reefs.
“The opportunities are endless,” said D’Alessandro. “We’re focusing on housing construction because there’s an acute housing shortage in WA, but that’s not saying we’re not going to expand into other markets.”
The government is keeping tabs on 3D printing
With WA’s housing crisis top of mind, the state government is watching new construction technologies closely.
Premier Roger Cook said they’re exploring all options, from modular homes to digital bricklaying, and now 3D printing is stepping into the mix.
“Through programs like the Infrastructure Development Fund, we’re fast-tracking new homes when they’re needed most – and we’re looking to the future, unlocking land to make sure we can meet the needs of our growing State,” he said.
“We know there are pressures out there in the housing market, but our policies are working, and we’re getting more homes built.”
What does this mean for tradies?
Let’s be real—tech like this might ruffle a few feathers, especially for bricklayers. But with WA’s huge demand for more homes, there’s plenty of work to go around.
Instead of replacing tradies, this could help speed up projects, reduce grunt work, and open up new job opportunities in robotic construction.
So, will your next job site have a robot doing the heavy lifting? Maybe. But for now, it’s just another tool in the shed, helping to get homes built quicker and cheaper.
