- LJ Hooker was established in 1928 and became Australia’s first national real estate network in 1960.
- Each office is independently owned and operated under licence. Fees are set out in the Key Facts Sheet and disclosure document.
- LJ Hooker also offers pathways such as remote agent programs for people not ready for a full office.
LJ Hooker was founded in Sydney in 1928 and in 1960 became Australia’s first national real estate agency network. Today the real estate business is run by franchise owners, with each office independently owned and operated under licence from LJ Hooker Limited. The network covers residential sales, property management and commercial real estate.
This guide covers how an LJ Hooker office makes money and what to test before you join or buy.
LJ Hooker franchise at a glance
| Founded | 1928, Sydney |
|---|---|
| National network | Since 1960 |
| Model | Franchise; offices independently owned and operated under licence |
| Pre-contract documents | Key Facts Sheet, disclosure document and franchise agreement |
| Entry pathways | Full office, rebrand of an existing agency, and remote agent programs |
| Regulation | State and territory licensing, trust account and AML/CTF obligations |
Figures come from the public sources listed at the end of this guide and can change. Treat them as a starting point and confirm current numbers in the franchise disclosure document.
How the LJ Hooker model works financially
Like other networks, an LJ Hooker office earns sales commission and property management fees. Network fees are typically linked to commission income, with marketing and technology costs on top. Recurring property management income usually underpins the value of the business.
Real estate businesses are coming under anti-money laundering obligations, and LJ Hooker has said it is building network-wide compliance tools. Factor compliance time and cost into your plan.
The numbers to test before you buy a LJ Hooker franchise
- Gross commission income (GCI) by sales and property management, for at least three years.
- Rent roll size, fees per managed property, churn and the age of the management agreements.
- Agent splits and retainers, and how dependent the office is on one or two top agents.
- Franchise fees, royalties, marketing levies and technology fees as a share of GCI.
- Trust account records and audit reports, and any compliance findings.
- Lease, staffing and licensing requirements for the licensee in charge.
Buying an existing LJ Hooker office
When buying an existing LJ Hooker office, confirm the remaining term of the franchise agreement and the network’s consent to transfer. Rent rolls are often sold separately or with retention clauses. Review trust account audits, agent agreements and the split between sales and property management income over several years.
How Franchise Co. can help with a LJ Hooker purchase
We work with buyers and owners of franchise businesses across Australia. For a LJ Hooker office we can:
- Review the numbers before you sign. Our business due diligence starts from $2,000 + GST and tests GCI, rent roll quality, agent splits and trust account compliance.
- Set up the structure and the books. Entity choice, GST, payroll and a chart of accounts that separates sales commission, property management income and agent payments. See accounting and tax and bookkeeping, BAS and payroll.
- Check your franchise fees. We reconcile royalties, marketing and technology fees to the sales they’re calculated on. See royalties and franchise fees.
- Plan the next office. If a second site is on the cards, we model the cash flow and funding first. See multi-site reporting.
LJ Hooker franchise FAQs
How much does an LJ Hooker franchise cost?
LJ Hooker does not publish a single price. Your Key Facts Sheet and disclosure document set out the fees, which depend on the type of office.
What does an LJ Hooker franchisee receive before signing?
Prospective franchisees receive a Key Facts Sheet, disclosure document and proposed franchise agreement, as required under the Franchising Code.
Can I join LJ Hooker without an office?
LJ Hooker has run remote agent and future leader programs for people not yet ready for a bricks and mortar office.
What should I check before buying an office?
Check GCI, rent roll quality, agent splits and trust account compliance. We test these in business due diligence.
Franchise Co. is an independent accounting practice. We aren’t affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to LJ Hooker. LJ Hooker is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to identify the brand this guide discusses.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked November 2026. Franchise costs and fees change. Confirm current figures with the franchisor before acting.
This guide is general information for people considering a franchise in Australia. It doesn’t take your circumstances into account and isn’t personal tax, legal or financial advice.
Talk it through
Every franchise is different. Ask us how this applies to yours.
