News
22 Sep, 2026

Western Australia's Brick Shortage: What It Means for Builders and Architects

Byford Rail Smartbric project

Western Australia’s construction industry is facing renewed pressure as constraints on clay brick supply create another challenge for builders already navigating labour availability, project timelines and rising housing demand.

For a state where brick has traditionally played such a significant role in construction, the current situation is encouraging builders, architects and developers to consider how alternative construction methods could provide greater flexibility while retaining the look and character of brick.

 

What’s Happening with Brick Supply in Western Australia?

Western Australia has a particularly strong reliance on brick construction. Around 68% of detached houses in WA are built of brick, while housing construction has grown significantly in recent years.

In September 2026, the Housing Industry Association confirmed it was working with Midland Brick and the Western Australian Government to address supply constraints affecting clay brick products across the WA market.

Material availability is only part of the challenge. Skilled labour also remains constrained, with HIA identifying bricklaying as the trade experiencing the most acute shortage nationally in its June quarter 2026 Trades Report.

Together, these pressures are encouraging builders, developers and project teams to consider alternative materials and construction methodologies.

 

Rethinking How We Build with Brick

Brick remains one of Australia’s most recognisable architectural materials, valued for its natural texture, variation and character. But creating a brick facade does not necessarily require a conventional full-brick wall.

Brick slip cladding uses thin sections of real brick to achieve the appearance and texture of traditional masonry with significantly less material.

Fairview’s Smartbric system uses genuine brick facings approximately 25mm thick, compared with a traditional brick thickness of approximately 110mm. The facings are installed onto a purpose-designed Track or Rail system, creating a lightweight ventilated rainscreen facade while retaining the authentic appearance of brick.

The system has already been used on major projects in Western Australia, including Byford Railway Station, where 3,300m² of Smartbric was installed across the station facade in a blend of Terrain, Rust, Copper and Spice.

 

Reducing Reliance on Traditional Bricklaying

One of Smartbric’s key advantages in the current construction environment is its installation methodology.

Smartbric does not require a qualified bricklayer or specialised bricklaying skills for installation. Rather than constructing a traditional masonry wall brick by brick, Smartbric facings are secured using Fairview’s Track or Rail system.

For projects facing labour constraints, this provides another pathway for delivering a genuine brick facade while reducing reliance on traditional bricklaying trades.

Smartbric is available in Classic, providing the appearance of traditional mortared brickwork, and Rapid, offering a contemporary mortarless finish.

 

Real Brick. Less Material. Greater Flexibility.

At approximately one-quarter of the thickness of traditional brick, Smartbric significantly reduces the volume and weight of masonry material required to create a genuine brick facade.

The lightweight format can also provide greater design flexibility where conventional brickwork may be challenging due to structural weight, wall depth or available space.

With a broad selection of colours, textures and finishes available, architects and builders can retain the depth and natural character of brick while using a facade system suited to modern construction.

 

A Different Approach to Brick Construction

WA’s current brick supply challenges highlight a broader opportunity for the construction industry to consider new ways of using materials, labour and construction systems.

Traditional brickwork will continue to have an important place in Australian architecture. But where material availability, structural weight, installation requirements or access to specialised trades create challenges, brick slip facade systems provide another option.

Smartbric delivers the appearance and character of genuine brick through a lightweight ventilated rainscreen system designed for modern construction.

Planning a project in Western Australia or considering alternatives to traditional brick construction?

Speak with Fairview about Smartbric or request a sample today.