Home-based flight and travel booking agent

Families, retirees, expat and migrant communities booking trips home, small groups, sports clubs and small businesses that need regular travel.

Booking or service fees per trip, plus commission on packages, hotels, tours and insurance. The host agency usually takes a share of commission. Airlines often pay little on flight-only sales, so fees matter.

• Customer service and patience
• Attention to detail with names, dates and fares
• Sales and follow-up
• Researching routes, visas and fare rules

• Check whether your host agency is accredited, for example through the Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS), and what its terms say about your liability
• Check what travel industry or professional indemnity insurance you need, plus public liability if you meet clients
• Australian Consumer Law applies to refunds, cancellations and misleading claims, so be clear about fees and fare conditions
• Check whether your council requires approval for a home-based business
• Customer money and supplier failures are a risk, so understand how deposits are handled

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on your host agency's terms, equipment and insurance. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on how many customers you build and the bookings you make.

Check whether your host agency is accredited, for example through ATAS, and what its terms say about your liability. Also check insurance needs, Australian Consumer Law on refunds and cancellations, council approval for home businesses, and how customer deposits are handled.

Useful skills include customer service and patience, attention to detail with names, dates and fares, sales and follow-up, and researching routes, visas and fare rules. Time is typically at least 8 hours a week to start.