Dental and extras cover adviser

The insurer usually pays you commission for placing a policy. Customers normally pay nothing extra for your help, though some advisers charge fees for workplace or group arrangements.

Commission from insurers on new policies, and sometimes on renewals, depending on your agreement. Income builds slowly as you add customers, so referral partnerships with dentists, migrant services and local employers help.

• Explaining fine print in plain language
• Sales and follow-up
• Customer service and record keeping
• Basic online marketing

• Check whether you need insurer authorisation, a licence or training before selling or advising on health cover, and which codes of conduct apply
• Commission rates and rules are set by the insurers and can change, so don't rely on one provider
• Check what you can say about product comparisons so advice is fair and not misleading
• Privacy obligations when you hold customers' personal and health details
• Professional indemnity insurance is worth checking, and ask your council whether a home-based business needs approval
• Register for GST once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on your website, software and any training or insurance you choose. These are estimates, so check what each insurer requires before you spend.

Check whether you need insurer authorisation, a licence or training before selling or advising on health cover, and which codes of conduct apply. Also check privacy obligations and what you can say when comparing products.

Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $3,000, depending on the policies you place and the commission rates insurers offer. The estimate assumes from about 8 hours a week. Commission rules can change.