Home-Based travel agent

Holidaymakers, families, couples planning honeymoons, and groups who want someone else to handle the details. Suppliers pay commission and clients may pay a planning fee.

Commission from airlines, hotels, tour operators and cruise lines, plus service or planning fees for complex trips. Income follows completed trips, so it can be uneven at first.

• Organised and detail-focused
• Good listening and customer service
• Knowing destinations and travel products
• Comfortable with booking systems

• Check whether you need to be accredited or work under an accredited agency to access supplier booking systems and commission
• Check consumer law obligations, including refunds and accurate advertising, with the ACCC and your state consumer body
• Check how client payments are handled, as holding money for trips carries risk if a supplier fails
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
• Check with your local council whether home-based business approval is needed
• Income depends on commission timing, which is often paid after the client travels

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on whether you join an agency network or go independent, and on the systems and insurance you need. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at $500 to $4,000, and commission is often paid after clients travel.

Check whether you need to be accredited or work under an accredited agency to access supplier booking systems and commission. Also check consumer law obligations with the ACCC and your state consumer body, how client payments are handled, insurance, and any home-based business approval from your local council.

The estimate is at least around 8 hours a week to start. Useful skills include being organised and detail-focused, good listening and customer service, knowing destinations and travel products, and being comfortable with booking systems.