Harnest

What Harnest does

Harnest Constructions Pty Ltd (ACN 071 992 544), trading as Harnest by Mazzei, is the specialist affordable and accessible housing division of the Melbourne-based Mazzei Group. With nearly two decades of operating history and a decade-plus dedicated focus on affordable housing, Harnest delivers an integrated design, build and maintenance service for low-rise residential projects including houses, units, townhouses, multi-residential projects and low-rise apartments. Core technical capabilities center on NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Design Standards, 7 Star NatHERS energy-efficient construction (built for approximately five years ahead of the emerging mandatory requirement), and 'ageing in place' flexible space design. The firm operates from headquarters in Hawthorn, Melbourne and a regional office in Adelaide, serving Victoria and South Australia.

Harnest sells primarily to institutional buyers: the Victorian State Government (notably the Department of Health and Human Services under the 1000 Homes initiative, covering over 200 dwellings), registered housing associations, not-for-profit housing providers, Specialist Disability Accommodation providers, Supported Independent Living providers, SDA investors and fund managers. Distribution is direct enterprise field sales, supplemented by partnerships with SDA assessors and fund managers and a joint venture with Mirvac on the Harcrest Estate townhouses in Wantirna. Revenue is generated through project-based one-time design and construction contracts, with additional streams from joint ventures, public-private partnerships and post-handover maintenance, modifications and upgrades. Pricing is bespoke and quote-driven with no publicly disclosed rates, and revenue is not reported in the source data.

The company is privately held within the Mazzei Group (which also includes Mazzei Homes Pty Ltd, ACN 610 569 036) with no external institutional investment, funding rounds, M&A activity, or public listing indicated. Leadership comprises Managing Director Daniel Mazzei, Director Zeb Woodhatch, General Manager Glenn Crawford, Head of Construction Michael Talent, and a small multidisciplinary team of approximately 20 employees. The firm holds associate membership of the SDA Alliance and is a Melbourne CitySwitch Program member, signalling alignment with the NDIS ecosystem and public-sector sustainability procurement frameworks.

Name

Harnest

Legal name

Harnest Constructions Pty Ltd

Website

https://harnest.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Harnest is the specialist affordable, accessible housing division of the Mazzei Group, providing integrated design, build and maintenance services for low-rise residential projects for Victorian and South Australian government, registered housing associations, not-for-profits and SDA investors, with expertise in NDIS-compliant SDA homes and 7 Star NatHERS energy-efficient construction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Construction

NAICS

Residential Building Construction (2361), Residential Property Managers (531311), Real Estate Property Managers (53131), Services to Buildings and Dwellings (5617)

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing Property Management (BPAJAGAJ), Multifamily Apartment Property Management (BPAJAFAA)

Keywords

• Affordable housing construction
• Specialist disability accommodation
• Social housing development
• Accessible housing design
• Sustainable residential construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Design and Construction Services: Full architectural services, construction management, and project delivery for affordable and accessible housing projects including houses, units, townhouses, multi-residential projects, and low-rise apartments.
2. Joint Ventures: Partnership-based project delivery through joint ventures with public and private sector partners including government housing initiatives.
3. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborative delivery models with government agencies for housing development projects.
4. Maintenance and Upgrades Services: Post-handover services including amenity improvements, upgrades, refurbishments, structural repairs, and ongoing maintenance for completed projects.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Harnest provides integrated design and construction services for affordable, accessible, and sustainable residential housing across Victoria and South Australia. The company delivers houses, units, townhouses, multi-residential projects, and low-rise apartments through full architectural services, construction management, feasibility planning, town planning, and post-handover maintenance. Its core offerings include Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) housing for NDIS participants, affordable housing for government and not-for-profit clients, and 7 Star NatHERS energy-efficient homes.

Product overview

Harnest is the specialist affordable and accessible housing division of the Mazzei Group, offering a comprehensive design and build service for the residential housing sector. The company provides an integrated suite of services spanning planning, design, construction, modifications, upgrades, and finance, supporting projects from initial feasibility through to ongoing maintenance. Its core offerings include Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) for NDIS participants and Affordable Housing developments working with government and not-for-profit partners. The company also delivers 7 Star NatHERS certified sustainable homes. Harnest operates across Victoria and South Australia, delivering houses, units, townhouses, multi-residential projects, and low-rise apartments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Harcrest: Affordable housing townhouse development in Mirvac's Harcrest Estate in Melbourne's South East.
• DHHS 1000 Homes

Products and services

• Planning Services Pre-planning services including property search, yield studies, feasibility studies, construction budgets, and consult team establishment for affordable housing projects.
• Design Services Full architectural services covering authority requirements, planning applications, and energy planning for residential projects including affordable and accessible housing.
• Construction Services Full construction services with project management, engineering, ancillary services, and value management for houses, units, townhouses, multi-residential projects, and low-rise apartments.
• Modifications and Upgrades Post-construction services including amenity improvement, upgrade and refurbishments, structural repairs, and ongoing maintenance for completed housing projects.
• Finance Services Financial partnership services including joint ventures and public-private partnerships to support housing development projects.
• Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Livable housing designed and built to SDA Design Standards for NDIS participants, providing accessible homes suitable for ageing in place and diverse cohorts.
• Affordable Housing Design and build services for affordable housing working with Victorian State Government, housing providers, and not-for-profits, delivering enhanced livability and design efficiencies.
• 7 Star NatHERS Homes Energy-efficient residential construction meeting 7 Star NatHERS rating requirements, delivering sustainable homes beyond standard requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Delivered over 200 dwellings for DHHS including large scale apartment complexes
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SDA AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociate member of SDA Alliance, an industry body supporting Specialist Disability Accommodation providers and stakeholders in the NDIS ecosystem.
• Mazzei GroupcoreOthersHarnest is the specialist affordable, accessible housing division of the Mazzei Group. The Mazzei Group is a values-driven business operating in Melbourne's construction industry.
• Melbourne CitySwitch ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarnest Constructions is a Melbourne City Switch Program Member, demonstrating commitment to sustainable office practices and environmental responsibility.
• SDA ProviderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartners with SDA Providers for design and construction of Specialist Disability Accommodation housing for NDIS participants.
• Housing AssociationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollaborative partnerships with Victorian Registered Housing Associations for affordable and social housing delivery.
• SIL ProviderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers for accessible housing solutions catering to NDIS participants.
• SDA AssessorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborates with SDA Assessors to ensure housing designs meet NDIS participant needs and compliance requirements.
• MirvacminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped Harcrest townhouses within Mirvac's Harcrest Estate in Melbourne's South East, complementing the premium positioning of the estate.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BlueCHP Limited: Australian community housing provider that develops and manages affordable rental housing, frequently partnering with builders on new supply. Comparable to Harnest in affordable-housing delivery and government-housing partnership model.
• Compass Housing Services Co-operative Ltd: Large Australian community housing provider delivering affordable and social housing across NSW and QLD with development capabilities. Comparable as a vertically involved affordable-housing developer working with government funding.
• Community Housing Limited (CHL): Australian community housing provider with significant affordable-housing development pipelines. Comparable to Harnest’s affordable-housing focus and government-housing partnership approach.
• SDA Property Australia: Australian specialist in NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation investment, design, and delivery. Direct comparable to Harnest’s SDA Design Standards offering and SDA investor partnerships.
• Habitable (formerly BlueCHP Build): Australian construction firm specializing in accessible and liveable housing for NDIS SDA and community housing. Direct comparable given shared focus on SDA-compliant residential construction.
• Baptcare Affordable Housing: Not-for-profit affordable-housing operator with development arms delivering social and accessible housing in Victoria and beyond. Comparable to Harnest’s affordable-housing design-and-build work for NFP clients.
• Mission Australia Housing: Major Australian NFP housing provider that develops and manages affordable rental housing, often through partnerships with construction firms. Comparable to Harnest’s affordable-housing customer base and government-housing project delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Mirvac: Major Australian residential developer with whom Harnest partnered on Harcrest townhouses. Comparable as a large-scale residential developer working across market segments including affordable housing.
• Stockland: One of Australia’s largest residential developers with growing affordable-housing programs. Broad incumbent with adjacent focus to Harnest in residential construction and affordable-housing policy.
• Lendlease: Global construction and development firm with significant Australian residential and affordable-housing exposure. Comparable as a large-scale builder adjacent to Harnest’s affordable-housing design-and-build model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Harnest