Direct Connect has dedicated the last 20 years to supporting real estate offices, enhancing their services and helping them generate ancillary income. In August 2024, we turn 20 and here’s the story of how we’ve become an indispensable partner for real estate businesses over this time.
In the last 20 years, Direct Connect has simplified the moving process for over 1.2 million moves, freeing up real estate professionals to focus on what they do best – selling homes and leasing properties. Our goal has always been to provide a revenue stream that takes the stress out of moving, not only for your movers but for you too!
Where it all started
Founded in a world where low-rise jeans and flip phones were all the rage, and Outkast's ‘Hey Ya!’ topped the charts, Direct Connect was born in 2004 from a simple yet revolutionary idea.
Our founder was inspired to create a better experience for people moving home after his experience moving back to Australia after six years overseas. There was an opportunity to create great mover experiences while providing value to real estate agencies.
Since that first move in 2004, the average cost of a three-bedroom house has grown from $320,000 to $933,800, and we’ve grown into a key partner for real estate businesses across Australia – providing a valuable revenue stream and seamless utility connections.
We’ve walked through the evolution of technology alongside the real estate industry ever since, selling landline services and dial-up internet. We have moved households from everywhere between Bonnie Doon to Humpbong. The furthest single household move was from Floreat in Western Australia to Moorooka in Queensland – a distance of 4021km. This is almost as long as Brazil, which at 4378km is the longest country in the world!
We’ve moved famous actors and international football stars – but we can’t share who, as you know how serious we are about privacy!
We’ve even have one customer who has used us six times to move in those 20 years. We can’t think of a greater compliment.
Creating the market
When we were purchased in 2014 by Snowy Hydro, one of Australia’s leading providers of renewable energy, our growing business went to the next level in terms of both operational excellence and future capability.
Today, Direct Connect operates out of the historic Bryant and May Match Factory building under the Snowy Hydro and Red Energy umbrella. We’ve significantly expanded our services and continue to innovate. To date, we’ve facilitated over 1.2 million moves and provided two million services, partnering with the best of the best in real estate and amazing organisations across various sectors.
A leader and enabler of the Australian proptech industry
As with our commitment to the real estate industry, we’ve been busy integrating with over 15 different players in the proptech industry and have been a proud sponsor of REINSW since 2013.
Our partnerships with leading property management software players include MRI Software, PropertyMe and Snug – and that’s just to name a few that have helped to enhance efficiency and user experience in streamlining the tenant application and utility connection process. We choose these integrations with the future of real estate in mind – ultimately sticking to our ethos of empowering real estate agents to focus on the business of selling and renting, rather than connecting their customers to utilities and services.
A business with heart
At Direct Connect, we believe in giving back – and we do this in partnership with Australia’s entire real estate network.
Our partnership with the Pyjama Foundation reflects our commitment to making a difference in the community. We often participate in National Pyjama Day and every year do a Pyjama Foundation “matching day” drive with our real estate partners for a Christmas appeal in which we have contributed tens of thousands in donations for kids in foster homes.
Helping real estate agents to differentiate their businesses
Our long-standing partnership with Raine & Horne has helped us launch the exclusive Raine & Horne Connect utility connection service, assisting property buyers and tenants through their 300-plus office network across Australia.
And collaborations with First National and Elders further extend the impact we have together on the way Australians move home.
From creating firsts to industry standard
Direct Connect pioneered the first utility connection referral technology innovation via the 'REST Button' in collaboration with Rockend (now MRI Software). This trailblazing technology enabled real estate clients to refer their tenants via their CRM platform, significantly streamlining the referral process.
We continue to optimise the client experience by developing interactive dashboards and offering a diverse range of self-service options.
“Our vision for the future includes continued innovation and service expansion, ensuring we remain a trusted partner in the real estate industry.”
Powering the moves of the future
Looking ahead, Direct Connect is committed to advancing with technology alongside our partners. We remain committed to partnering with the suppliers that best align with our values and offer services that suit every one of your movers. Our vision for the future includes continued innovation and service expansion, ensuring we remain a trusted partner in the real estate industry.
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, Direct Connect is committed to continuing to innovate and grow with you as an industry. With new exciting rebrands, technology upgrades and automations on the horizon, together we can continue to take the stress out of moving and show that it can live up to what it really is on the surface – a happy time of new beginnings and future memories in the making.
A huge thanks to you for moving together with us. Here’s to growing together with the real estate industry over the next 20 years.
At Direct Connect, we strive to be more than just a service provider. We want to be your trusted partner. Call 1300 558 169 to speak to our people today about how we can help you.