Common Comments

Tickets start from $20 and range up to $35, depending on the time of entry. 

This is clearly explained on our website and in our FAQs, which are linked on almost every post we make:
👉 www.tinyhomesexpo.com.au/faqs

Ticket pricing is deliberate.  It allows us to:

• Manage crowd numbers so people aren’t queuing for hours or stuck in overcrowded aisles
   
• Deliver a premium, well-run event
   
• Bring together Australia’s most experienced builders, professionals and advocates — all in one place
   

This is an information-led event. 

The knowledge available at the Expo is second to none. No amount of Googling — or travelling hundreds of kilometres over multiple days — would allow you to meet, compare and speak directly with as many builders, view as many homes, or access as much real-world expertise as you can at even our smallest show.

If attending an event isn’t for you, that’s completely fine. 

There are online groups and resources we actively encourage people to start with instead. (see below).  

However, we do remove comments stating incorrect prices such as “$70 entry” or “$100 per ticket,” as they mislead others who are simply scrolling past. The ACTUAL cost of a ticket is $20-$35 depending on day and time.

Our confidence comes from the thousands of people who attend, leave informed and inspired, and genuinely change the direction of their lives because of what they learned at the Expo.

For full details (again):
👉 www.tinyhomesexpo.com.au/faqs

Let’s clear up one of the biggest myths about tiny houses.

It is possible to place a tiny house ANYWHERE — as long as there isn’t a council rule specifically prohibiting them.

Here’s something important to understand:
There are 537 councils in Australia.
Not one of them has a rule that says “Tiny Houses are not allowed.”

The real issue isn’t that they’re banned — it’s that in many areas, there isn’t a clear framework for approving them either.
It’s often a square-peg-through-a-round-hole situation.

That’s exactly why the Tiny Home Expo exists.

At the Expo, you’ll meet people who live it, breathe it, work with it, and advocate for it every day. 

They deal with:

• Real people living in tiny houses
   
• Councils and planning departments
   
• State and local government
   
• Builders and installers
   
• Off-grid systems, wastewater, legal structures and compliance
   

These real-life experiences — not theory — are shared in the Speaker Hall to help people understand what actually works.

And to be very clear: Tiny houses are not illegal. Anywhere.

In fact, the vast majority of people living in tiny houses are doing so:

• Peacefully
   
• Successfully
   
• Often without issue
   

Some people do work directly with council, depending on the situation — because factors like zoning, block size, services, fire risk, flooding, wastewater and utilities all matter. There is a lot to consider, which is why it’s difficult to unpack every scenario in social media comments.

Most issues arise when:

• People try to bypass council requirements on vacant land
   
• Wastewater or services aren’t properly considered
   
• Setbacks or neighbour impacts are ignored
   

And importantly — complaints are triggered by neighbours, not councils actively searching for problems.

We cover these common pitfalls in detail at the Expo.

Where things get more complex is when a tiny house is intended as a primary dwelling on vacant land.

A Development Application (DA) is required for any primary dwelling. This process was designed for traditional homes and covers anything fixed to the land.

If you need a permanent primary residence, a small modular home (Class 1a) may actually be the simpler path. These are built for permanency, meet the construction code, and can be approved like a standard house. (You can compare these options at the Expo - we have displays.)

If the land is vacant — wheels or no wheels — you generally cannot bypass council approval just because the home is small. Every other vacant land owner must go through the same process.

What is commonly permitted is a temporary caravan permit (a tiny house on wheels is legally a caravan) while a permanent house is being built. (Or in WA, there is framework for 2 years minimum) 

- but we understand you want PERMANENT.

Which raises an important question:
If you want a permanent dwelling on your own land, is there a reason you want a tiny house set on wheels? 

Most negative stories come from two situations:

1. Someone tried to avoid the DA process on vacant land and was refused — then concluded “tiny houses aren’t allowed" - and now jumps on social media to "tell everyone!"
    
2. Someone ignored key requirements, a neighbour complained, and enforcement followed.
    

Outside of this, there have been fewer than 5 court cases Australia-wide in the past 8+ years - and most were won by the tiny house owner.

When people comment:

• “There’s nowhere to put them”
   
• “Good luck with council”
   
• “They’re not allowed”
   
• “They’re illegal”
   

…it creates unnecessary fear.

With the right information and realistic expectations, most people navigate their tiny house journey without major problems.

Want real experiences and practical advice?
If you can not attend an expo and spend half a day in the speaker hall, the best place to ask questions and hear from people actually doing it is in dedicated tiny house Facebook groups (listed below), rather than our event page comment threads.

Good information - not fear - is what makes tiny living possible.

Yes — you do need land… and this is something we cover in detail in our Speaker Hall.

The reality about land availability

There is currently no free land being given away, and the Government is not providing free land.

However - and this is important - you do not have to buy land if it’s not financially possible.

We talk through practical, real-world options, including:

• How to find land available for rent
   
• How some people barter their time or skills in exchange for free or reduced rent
   
• Services that connect tiny house owners with landholders
   
• Why the “Renting Land” desk at our expos always has a queue — from people who have land and want to rent it out

• Practical tip: Smaller, single-level tiny houses (under 8m long) are often much easier to place in suburban backyards — especially near cities — than large, double-loft designs that overlook neighbouring properties.
  

If you’re considering buying land, we also explain why a tiny house on wheels is often not the best choice for a vacant block 

If you are buying land for a tiny house — here are some key tips: 

Buying a new suburban block from a developer and planning to place a tiny house on wheels is unlikely to be approved.

Why?

Developments are marketed with a particular visual and housing standard in mind. Many people still misunderstand what a tiny house is, assuming it might be:

• A container
   
• A temporary shack
   
• An imported or expandable structure
   
• A donga or site building
   

Because of these perceptions, some estates restrict what they consider “appropriate” dwellings.

Also remember:
A tiny house on wheels is legally a caravan. If you wouldn’t be able to park and live in a caravan there without neighbour concerns, the same limitations may apply.

One of the best land-buying strategies

If you want to own land for a tiny house, consider purchasing a block that previously had a dwelling on it — even if the house is damaged, derelict, or removed.

Why this works:

• The property may already have approved water, sewer and electrical connections
   
• Your tiny house on wheels may then be treated as a secondary dwelling or caravan on an established residential property
   
• This is often far more straightforward than starting with a completely vacant block
   

DISCOVER:  Some people even buy a tiny house and just "Pray" that the land will come in some form in time... 

      and let me tell you - It Does!  Because when you are committed and ready, these things fall in to place.

Thus far we have had ZERO stories of people homeless and Land-less with their tiny house. Not ONE!  

Well 10,000+ people living in their tiny house either have insured... or they have chosen to go with a self-insured protocol.  

In short - you CAN insure them but people call insurance companies and use 1000 words about their "Tiny House"... instead of just answering to fit in the company's drop down boxes. 

 It triggers a "Computer says No" answer.

Right now, people are calling insurance companies and some are simply flying through without an issue, and others are coming off the phone with a straight NO.

Luckily, the president of the Tiny House Association works in insurance and has a lot of insight on why.  She discusses this - along with lots of advocacy news - in our speaker hall.

Alternatively, join the many Facebook groups (listed below) and BEFORE asking the insurance question (it appears 10 times a day on these groups), just do a search of that group with the word 'Insurance', and see all the previous answers.

Keep in mind, I have personally tried to help people with insurance, only to discover that NOTHING is getting insured on that site -  due to flooding, fire, or tree placement..

 it's not a "Tiny House" problem, it is a "you are not getting insurance there" problem.

No — not all tiny homes meet building code standards. Tiny Houses on wheels are CARAVANS, and on skids they are MOVEABLE/TRANSPORTABLE dwellings.

Some, such as modular homes, can be built to comply (Class 1a).

However, a Tiny House on Wheels (THOW) under 45 sqm and only 2.4m wide typically cannot meet the National Construction Code (NCC) — because the code was never written with these in mind.    We know this firsthand, having met with the code's authors, NCC Board,  who even acknowledged this and apologised! 

Originally, tiny homes on wheels were intentionally designed to avoid being classified as a "dwelling" — instead, they fell under the same category as a caravan, which requires less regulation.

• You may need your build to comply as a Class 1a building under the NCC and need a DA. (especially if you are hoping to put on vacant land) Choose a small Modular building.
   
• It’s possible to work with private certifiers to obtain a Deemed-to-Satisfy certificate.
   
• For a primary dwelling on a vacant block, achieving full certification is necessary and possible, but involves significant extra cost and compliance steps.
   
• For secondary dwellings, some councils are happy to treat a THOW as a caravan, while others will send you on a rabbit hole exercise. These require your persistence and the right strategy, using the right words - which is a shame - basically you need to do the work that the council won't do.  
   

One example: a woman managed to have her non-code-compliant THOW accepted as a primary residence on a suburban block, smack bang in the middle of Melbourne — purely by consistently returning to council, using the right terminology, and following the correct pathways. (Note: we don’t recommend this approach for everyone — it’s practically a full-time job and took a very long time!) (article here: https://www.domain.com.au/living/why-elle-paton-wants-everyone-to-visit-her-sustainable-tiny-house-in-the-city-1036218/
 

You can simply remain classified as a caravan — no different to parking a Jayco Caravan on your property. 

Ask yourself: if you bought a caravan from a Jayco dealer, how many questions would you be asking the caravan dealership  about “council approval”?

This is also the preferred way to get RENTABLE LAND.  Hosts are not going to go through a DA to rent you a piece of their land... but they are happy to have a caravan on their land for a minimal rental return.

You’ll find both Class 1a-compliant tiny homes and THOWs 

Always ask your builder whether they can construct to Class 1a if that’s the path you’re considering — many can.

 It’s about finding the right approach for your personal situation.

We cover these topics in detail in the speaker area, including one-on-one Q+A sessions every day,  and are happy to point you in the right direction. Here is the Speaker Line Up:  www.tinyhomesexpo.com.au/speakers

Yes they are - indeed....  IF YOU WERE BUILDING IN THE 1980's!

Many people have no idea that the average cost to build a very, very basic, small house in 2025,  with NO luxuries at all,  is $449k, not including the land, and not including landscaping and many other extras.

With the new NCC rules forcing accessibility and Energy Ratings, this is 100% expected to reach $500,000 for a basic house, and more often than not - $750 - $1m+ for a house with additional features considered "luxury". 

 SEE HERE for up to date House Pricing Facts. 

That is the build of the house and NO LAND.

Recently a guy challenged us on this; saying he could build a traditional house cheaply for $150k and would prove it (owner builder)... he is currently with an Unfinished house, at $310K.  

Tiny houses can be $80k - $250k (for an amazing , architectural, off grid build with every inclusion you can think of.) 

BUDGET ALTERNATIVES:  If the budget is under $80k, we encourage people to find the tiny house of their dreams and ask the builder to supply to "Lock Up" stage only - so the owner can finish the house as and when funds allow with just basic DIY skills and Trades for Electrical/Plumbing.  There are options.   There are also a few $30k - $60k options (smaller pods, kit homes, container homes)

We do not control house prices.  We are an event, bringing information and an alternative lifestyle to one field so you can explore all the options!   Stating that WE, the event organisers, have expensive houses is simply untrue - we do not build tiny houses at all! 

Tiny House builders are also not "gauging" anyone. They are making a living.

If all the materials and skilled labour adds up to $80k - for sure there is going to be additional costs (insurance, marketing, staff admin, accounting, legal, office costs, warehouse/factory costs, utilities.... Basically "Running a Business" costs are going to be part of your bill.  THEN, there may be a small profit on top, as that business owner would also like to eat and provide their own shelter. 

YES - they are expensive PER SQUARE METRE... this is because what they are getting rid of in sq metres, is dead space... hallways you do not need, and vast spaces around your bed, and across your living room.  All the expensive elements are there. Kitchens/bathrooms.  All bedrooms still need a door, a window... what you are saving in space, may also be picked up with a Wheel based Chassis, that is anywhere from $18k - $40k depending on weight.

Tiny House builders are doing their best to supply an alternative, cheaper housing solution.

Anger towards houses, and material prices and labour prices, is not something that the Expo - nor even the tiny house builders can circumnavigate.  

BE LOGICAL... if builders were purposely over-pricing, ... how come there are so many builders at one event, and yet there isn't one guy in the corner, cleaning up with similar quality houses for sale at a price that's 50% cheaper than all the rest? !

Finally:  DIY Builds that we have tracked are consistently coming in over $80k.  

At the expo you will find trailer suppliers, frame suppliers, cladding and decking, and all sorts of supplies and information... plus 'inspiration' of seeing many houses on a field to give you ideas.

 For many,  it is a delight and a luxury to have someone custom-build for you a dream house - albeit 'tiny' in size - but with everything they need - made JUST FOR THEM.

Cheap Expanding Imports: We are well aware of expanding imports masquerading as 'Tiny Houses'.  We are also aware of huge complications and  issues such a leakage from chinese pipes too small for our water velocity/laminar flow.  

And the Fair Trade Office lets us know that they are 'knee deep in complaints' about these structures (their words).   

As these types of structures are not part of our advocacy work, and actually have been a hindrance to getting tiny houses accepted by councils, (considered not safe due to non-compliance),  we have decided not to have them displayed at Expos.    

To be clear, there are a small handful of expandable importers who are going to great lengths to bring them up to code and address the issues they present.  These will be advertised as Class 1a compliant.  Unsurprisingly, these ones are over $80k and as much as $149k.  

If you see a lot of 'promises' for a $29k import, you must ask yourself WHY these are not allowed  if they are safe and compliant?  Why are they not members of the ATHA or THIA? Why are they not allowed at the expos?  

We recommend joining an EXPANDABLES group page, and taking a deep dive into the issues people have had to overcome, and the REAL COSTS of doing so.  

If your question could be neatly answered in a short sentence,  as a General Answer for every single person who comments this, in our social media threads - life would be breezy.

But within the comments section of the Expo event page, we just can't write war and peace, giving one-on-one advice, keeping in mind every circumstance is very specific and very individual..  

We don't know the zone you are in, your neighbours, what kind of house you have/want, what you intend to do with it, which council, size of plot of land, primary dwelling, secondary dwelling, 1 house or 6 of them! On grid, off grid, how close to a water catchment... The list is endless.

I once gave 2 hours of advice to someone regarding certification rules, before realising  they were intending on buying an imported expandable! (No, you can't certify these).

It's a BOOK's worth of information and consultation - and this is why we have experts at the expo to help people learn more.

If you are coming to the expo - get to the speaker area and source:

ATHA - The Tiny House Association

THIA - The Tiny house Industry Australia organisation

EXPO - MC on stage, and also the Organiser - general know it all! 

ALL IN THE SPEAKER HALL - but not on our facebook comments . 

We are not a digital social media company. We are a physical event company who work on event logistics (fencing, marquees, parking logistics and food licences for instance) - we can not be giving out one-on-one advice all over facebook comments.

HOWEVER:  we also see that there is a tendency to NAYSAY - to spread word on social media that council won't allow tiny houses (not true) and to give the experience of ONE, as a general statement; or to "warn" people!  

This drives us slightly mad because for every ONE issue, there are normally hundreds/thousands of successful stories, and the ONE issue is most often for a solid reason.  

THIS IS WHY WE DO THE EVENT - TO SHARE THE INFORMATION

Comments are not an easy place to debate the complexities of housing, planning, rules and regulations, construction codes and government policies! 

Government do indeed suck a lot of the time! 

But there is no conspiracy through the event, and we honestly find all Government officials to be very much the same, and surprisingly, very unhelpful for tiny houses.  

The idea that "they want us in boxes... it's part of their plan", is laughable, because Government actually make it much harder for people to live in a small house.

Also - Tiny Houses can not help homelessness directly - as someone needs to buy them.  

They are not necessarily a homelessness solution. They cost over $100k in most instances and you need the resources to find land.

Unless, of course, the government bought thousands of them and gave them out for free, (not happening).  

The issue of traditional Homelessness is a VERY complicated.

BUT - if tiny houses were properly legislated for, there would be thousands of them... very quickly... in the marketplace that would trickle into the AFFORDABLE RENTAL sector. 

NOW THAT would make a significant difference.

We speak with Government regularly and attend forums for changes to housing:  Trust us: Government are NOT coming to help. Not for the homeless, not even for the people that can buy them.  We encourage people to do their research and help themselves if they can.

All levels of government (particularly local councils)  are shockingly dis-incentivised to help a quick, non-taxpayer solution, for THOSE THAT WANT TO live in a tiny house.  

If this is something you want to change - read our ADVOCACY 101 page:  www.tinyhomesexpo.com.au/advocate101

All said, the comments section of the Expo event page is NOT a great place to have such a debate on these things!  Believe me,  Albo is not reading our comments! 

Please do join the facebook groups - see below - and strike up conversations there, as our pages do not have an ADMIN that can help navigate the many political opinions from the general public. 

By Gosh - someone could end up being OFFENDED!