Agency HQ Set Flag in the Whitsundays

After nearly 28 years in real estate, including more than two decades running a highly successful independent agency, Aaron Lewis has entered a new chapter, both personally and professionally, with the launch of his Whitsundays-based business.

Having founded and operated his own agency in Horsham, Victoria from 2006, Lewis relocated to the Whitsundays in late 2024, drawn by the region’s lifestyle and the opportunity to contribute his experience to a growing and increasingly dynamic property market.

The move comes at a time when the Australian real estate industry is undergoing significant structural change. Rising compliance costs, increased operational complexity and mounting pressure on traditional franchise models have seen many experienced agents reassess how they operate their businesses and where true value sits.

Known for his calm, measured approach and long-standing client relationships, Lewis brings a depth of experience rarely seen in regional markets.

Alongside his real estate career, he has spent years managing a working farm specialising in sheep and hay production, giving him a practical understanding of rural, lifestyle and acreage properties, and a deep appreciation for the values that underpin regional communities.

Now operating under the Agency HQ model, Lewis said the structure allowed him to maintain his independent identity while accessing the operational support required to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

His appointment forms part of a broader period of expansion for Agency HQ, which has experienced strong growth over the past 12 months as more established agents seek alternatives to traditional franchise structures.

Across the industry, consolidation, rising franchise fees and reduced flexibility have prompted agents to look for models that offer autonomy without sacrificing compliance, technology or back-office support.

Agency HQ’s powered-by model, which allows agents to trade under their own brand while leveraging centralised systems and support, has gained traction as a result.

Speaking on the Whitsundays expansion, Agency HQ CEO Mark Morrison said the appointment reflected broader changes occurring across the real estate landscape.

“Agents are far more commercially aware than they were even five years ago,” Mr Morrison said.

“They want control over their brand and their business, but they also want strong systems, support and protection behind them. That’s where models like ours are really resonating.”

Looking ahead, Mr Morrison said Agency HQ was entering 2026 from a position of strength.

“To have outgrown some long-established franchise groups over the past 12 months is something we’re extremely proud of. It shows there’s a genuine shift happening in the industry.”

With several additional offices set to be announced throughout the first quarter, Mr Morrison said the group’s momentum was continuing to build.

“We’re established now. People understand our model, and it’s no longer a hard sell. We provide a solution that experienced agents are actively looking for.”

For Lewis, the move to the Whitsundays represents more than a lifestyle change.

It’s an opportunity to apply decades of experience in a market that values trust, local understanding and long-term relationships, while aligning with a business model designed for the realities of the modern real estate industry.