Habitech Australia founding director Mick Callan has been involved in an 18-month study investigating the effectiveness of nesting boxes for hollow-dependent fauna.

The study reached a landmark conclusion through the use of 3D printing technology in providing a more sustainable artificial nesting hollow, with a patent approved for a thermally stable, long lasting modular nest box system.

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Mr Callan said the new nest box design has the potential to last up to 40 years, as opposed to five to 10 years for existing timber designs.

"The timber nest boxes provide habitat for some species, but aren't really a long-term solution for hollow-dependent fauna," he said.

"So we started from scratch and were stunned to find the 3D printed alternatives were more effective at controlling the internal temperature to provide a more comfortable environment for animals."

Mr Callan commenced the study as part of his honours degree through Charles Sturt University [CSU] alongside Charles Sturt Institute for Land, Water and Society's [ILWS] Professor David Watson, who's based in Albury.

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Mr Callan said the study featured around 30 field trials around CSU's Bathurst campus and Mount Panorama's Albens Reserve.

"The study was targeted specifically at attracting red-rumped parrots, and we've had confirmed usage by those species," he said.

"A lot of larger birds, such as eastern and crimson rosellas, have tried to access them as well but were unable to fit, which tells us there's a variety of species keen to use them."

"Some of our earlier prototypes [using PVC pipe with 3D fittings] were over near Lithgow and were looking promising, but unfortunately we lost those in last summer's bushfires."

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Habitech Australia is set to commence production on the modular nest box system early next year, which will be constructed with 100 per cent recycled plastic [injection moulding] and feature a bark texture and a hardwood timber interior.

"Because these designs are modular, we can tailor them towards most species, anything up to the smaller cockatoo species," Mr Callan said.

"A small hollow takes in excess of 100 years to develop, so we need long-term solutions and we think this modular system will fill the gap and provide much needed homes for species."

The project was funded through a $10,000 CSU Green sustainable research grant.