Direct Management Group Pty Ltd

Licence 10108515 74 schemes 4,631 lots 36 suburbs

Direct Management Group Pty Ltd manages 74 strata schemes totalling 4,631 lots across NSW. With an average of 63 lots per scheme, it specialises in larger buildings — more than double the state-wide average of 20 lots. It has a broad geographic spread across 36 suburbs, with Rhodes as its largest market (9%). AGM compliance stands at 82%, above the average of 70% across all managers. There are 4 recorded tribunal or court decisions involving its schemes (2 at NCAT, 1 in the Supreme Court). Of these, 4 resulted in orders being made. A compulsory strata manager has been appointed in 2 cases — a significant indicator of governance issues.

#177
of 459 Managers
74
Total Schemes
4,631
Total Lots
36
Suburbs Served
62.6
Avg Lots / Scheme
82%
AGM Compliance (avg 70%)

Portfolio Profile

Lot Types

Residential 3,909 (84%) Commercial 689 (15%) Utility 33 (1%)

Scheme Size Distribution

10
1-10
21
11-25
16
26-50
14
51-100
13
100+

Distribution of schemes by total lot count. Average scheme size: 62.6 lots. Most schemes fall in the 11–25 lot range, typical of small apartment blocks.

Portfolio Age

8
1960s
2
1970s
5
1980s
12
1990s
23
2000s
17
2010s
7
2020s

Schemes by registration decade. Oldest scheme registered 1965, newest 2024.

Suburb Coverage

Suburb Schemes Lots % of Portfolio Market Share
Rhodes 2138 7 1,270 9% 7.6%
Haymarket 2000 7 357 9% 12.7%
Chatswood 2067 6 339 8% 1.9%
North Sydney 2060 5 212 7% 2.0%
Terrigal 2260 5 225 7% 1.1%
Burwood 2134 3 375 4% 1.3%
Sydney 2000 3 759 4% 0.6%
Rose Bay 2029 3 36 4% 0.6%
Ashfield 2131 2 132 3% 0.4%
Rouse Hill 2155 2 188 3% 4.0%
Strathfield 2135 2 56 3% 0.9%
Bankstown 2200 2 31 3% 0.5%
Parramatta 2150 2 32 3% 0.4%
Meadowbank 2114 2 28 3% 2.4%
Kensington 2033 2 14 3% 0.9%
Rockdale 2216 1 90 1% 0.5%
West Gosford 2250 1 80 1% 1.0%
Point Frederick 2250 1 54 1% 1.4%
Homebush West 2140 1 51 1% 0.7%
Blacktown 2148 1 46 1% 0.3%
Lane Cove North 2066 1 43 1% 0.5%
Breakfast Point 2137 1 40 1% 2.0%
Riverwood 2210 1 27 1% 0.9%
Campsie 2194 1 25 1% 0.2%
Mosman 2088 1 23 1% 0.1%
Cammeray 2062 1 18 1% 0.3%
Wollstonecraft 2065 1 12 1% 0.3%
Bullaburra 2784 1 11 1% 50.0%
Randwick 2031 1 10 1% 0.1%
Cremorne 2090 1 8 1% 0.2%
Pyrmont 2009 1 8 1% 0.9%
Hornsby 2077 1 8 1% 0.3%
Glebe 2037 1 7 1% 0.8%
Rushcutters Bay 2011 1 6 1% 1.2%
Bondi Beach 2026 1 6 1% 0.2%
Kingsford 2032 1 4 1% 0.5%

Contact & Reviews

NSW Licence (Verified)

Licensee Direct Management Group Pty Ltd
Status Current
Licence Number 10108515
Type Property - Corporation
Granted 2021-02-23
Expires 2029-02-22
ACN 647163773
Registered Address BARANGAROO NSW 2000
(02) 8007 7300
International Tower One, Level 35/100 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000, Australia
4.5 ★
30 Google reviews

Recent Reviews

5 ★ Sarah Lin 17 Dec 2025
“Our building transitioned to Direct Strata Management (“DSM”) nearly a year ago, and we have been consistently impressed by their professionalism, efficiency and integrity. I prefer DSM over other strata managers for the following reasons: 1. Competitive fees with no hidden commissions or...”
5 ★ Thomas Luxton 18 Jan 2026
“Direct took over building last year following bad experiences with two prior management agencies. I’ve already noticed a considerable uplift in the administration and responsiveness, which is top notch. Nick was able to tailor the contract to our specific requirements which differs from the...”
5 ★ Joanne Huey 15 Dec 2025
“We have had an outstanding experience with Direct Strata, particularly with Nick Johnson, who provided exceptional support to our Owners Corporation through a complex management handover. Nick’s professionalism, depth of knowledge, and calm, solutions-focused approach set him apart from the...”
1 ★ Christina 08 Dec 2025
“Direct Strata Management lead by Nicholas Johnson “talk the talk”, however they certainly DO NOT “walk the walk”. My experience as an owner has been extremely disappointing, both Nicholas and Emily are all smoke and mirrors…very poor responsiveness, failing to manage repairs, do not send out...”
1 ★ J F 16 Dec 2025
“This strata company deserves ZERO stars…our strata scheme has gone from out of the frying pan into the fire! Nicholas Johnson is very quick to go on forums with his spin and reteric…maybe concentrate on responding to owners emails regarding repairs and maintenance - show some common courtesy to...”

Tribunal & Court History

4
Total Cases
2
NCAT
1
Supreme Court
4.1
Adverse per 100 Schemes
5.4
Total per 100 Schemes
2
Compulsory Manager Appts

4 cases since 2023. Of these, 3 resulted in substantive orders (including 2 compulsory manager appointments). The remaining 1 were dismissed, withdrawn, settled, or involved the OC as applicant.

4
Orders Made 4
$63,614 Levies Recovered
$10,728 Costs Ordered
Supreme Court Orders Made Medium Adverse [2025] NSWSC 1038 2025-09-08
Mr. Zheng sought permission to continue an appeal on behalf of the Owners Corporation regarding alterations to common property. The tribunal granted Mr. Zheng the right to continue the appeal. The question of whether the Owners should cover Mr. Zheng's legal costs was deferred.
By-law enforcement
LAND LAW – Strata title – Owners corporation –Where NCAT authorises a by-law regularising the construction of an awning carried out without a resolution of the Owners Corporation by approving a by-law – Where Owners Corporation appeals to the Appeal Panel of NCAT and appeal has been set down for...
Before
Hammerschlag CJ in Eq
Hearing
8 September 2025
File Numbers
2025/00307376
Matched Strata Plans
SP83678
Parties
Lot Owner v Owners Corporation
Representation
Plaintiff (self-represented) N Johnson (Strata Managing Agent) (Defendant)
Orders
Grant plaintiff leave, on behalf of Owners – Strata Plan No 83678, to conduct NCAT appeal in proceeding 2025/251776.

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NCAT Orders Made High Adverse [2024] NSWCATCD 72 2024-12-20
An apartment owner applied for a compulsory strata manager due to concerns about the Owners Corporation's management. The Tribunal agreed, finding the OC was not functioning properly because of financial issues, meeting irregularities, and disharmony. As a result, the Tribunal appointed a strata manager for one year.
Compulsory appointment
Compulsory manager appointed: Direct Management Group Pty for 12 months
LAND LAW – Strata schemes – Appointment of compulsory strata managing agent
Before
R. Alkadamani, Senior Member
Hearing
12 and 13 August 2024
File Numbers
2023/00386792
Matched Strata Plans
SP90092
Parties
Lot Owner v Owners Corporation
Representation
Counsel: Mr J Green for the applicant Mr J Bannerman (solicitor) for the respondent Solicitors: CJL Law for the applicant Bannermans Lawyers
Orders
1 Order pursuant to s 237(1)(a) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) appointing Direct Management Group Pty Ltd as strata managing agent to exercise all the functions of the owners corporation of strata plan no. 90092 for a period of 12 months from the date of these orders upon the terms and conditions set out in the document entitled “Strata Management Agency Agreement”, a copy of which is at tab 2 of exhibit 1, pages 11-30. 2 Order pursuant to s 237(2) of the Strata Schemes...

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NCAT Orders Made High Adverse [2025] NSWCATCD 13 2024-12-20
An owner sought the appointment of a strata manager, alleging the Owners Corporation was not functioning properly. The Tribunal agreed, finding various issues, and appointed a strata manager to oversee the scheme's operations for a year.
Compulsory appointment
Compulsory manager appointed: Direct Management Group Pty for 12 months
LAND LAW – Strata schemes – Appointment of compulsory strata managing agent
Before
R. Alkadamani, Senior Member
Hearing
12 and 13 August 2024
File Numbers
2023/00386792 (Previously SC 23/30630)
Matched Strata Plans
SP90092
Parties
Lot Owner v Owners Corporation
Representation
Counsel: Mr J Green for the applicant Mr J Bannerman (solicitor) for the respondent Solicitors: CJL Law for the applicant Bannermans Lawyers for the respondent
Orders
The Notice of order issued on 20 December 2024 is amended under section 63 of the Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013, and should read as follows: 1. Order pursuant to s 237(1)(a) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) appointing Direct Management Group Pty Ltd as strata managing agent to exercise all the functions of the owners corporation of strata plan no. 90092 for a period of 12 months from the date of these orders upon the terms and conditions set out in the document...

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District Court Orders Made Medium [2023] NSWDC 568 2023-12-15
An Owners Corporation sued a lot owner for unpaid levies. The tribunal ruled in favor of the Owners Corporation, ordering the lot owner to pay the outstanding levies, interest, and specific expenses related to recovering the unpaid levies.
Compulsory appointmentLevies & contributions
$63,614 Levies Recovered
$10,728 Costs (Applicant)
LAND LAW — strata title — recovery of unpaid contributions, interest and expenses — regular periodic contributions — special levies — requirement to give notice of contributions and notice of meetings — whether notices were “given” — validity of appointment of strata managing agent
Before
Russell SC DCJ
Hearing
4, 5, 6 April 2023 6, 7 December 2023
File Numbers
2022/114537
Matched Strata Plans
SP2227
Parties
Owners Corporation v Lot Owner
Representation
Counsel: R Pietriche (Plaintiff) S O’Rourke (Solicitor) (Defendant) Solicitors: Makinson d’Apice Lawyers (Plaintiff) Four Winds Legal Pty Ltd (Defendant)
Orders
(1) Judgment for the plaintiff against the defendant for $94,740.78. (2) Order the defendant to pay the plaintiff’s costs. (3) The exhibits are returned.

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Data sourced from the NSW StrataHub public register. Direct Management Group Pty Ltd is 1 of 459 strata managers tracked by Compare Strata. Browse all managers or find managers by suburb.