Home-Based commission sales agent for small suppliers

The manufacturer or supplier pays you commission on sales. Their customers (gift shops, cafes, gyms, trade buyers) pay the supplier directly.

A percentage commission on orders you win, often with repeat orders from the same buyers. Some agents also negotiate a small retainer or a reimbursement for samples.

• Confident selling and following up
• Building trust with buyers
• Keeping organised records of leads and orders

• Get a written agency agreement covering commission, territory, exclusivity and what happens when it ends; consider legal advice
• Check whether you need an ABN and when to register for GST
• Check your council's rules for running a business from home
• Commission can be slow or unpredictable, so don't rely on it for essential income at first
• Public liability or professional indemnity insurance may be worth checking, depending on what you sell

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $300 to $2,000, depending on your home office setup, samples and catalogues. Because most work is done by phone, email and online meetings, costs depend mainly on what you need to show buyers.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on the products, commission rates and how many buyers you win. Commission can be slow or unpredictable, so avoid relying on it for essential income at first.

Get a written agency agreement covering commission, territory, exclusivity and what happens when it ends, and consider legal advice. Also check ABN and GST requirements, your council's home business rules, and whether insurance is worth having.