Home-Based general insurance agent
Help households and sole traders find home, car and contents cover by phone and online, working under a licensed insurer or broker.
- A$500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
You sell general insurance such as home, contents, car and pet cover to individuals, usually as an authorised representative of a licensed insurer, broker or agency network. Most of the work is done by phone, email and video call from a home office.
Your first three steps
- Contact a few licensed insurers, brokers or agency networks to compare what they offer authorised representatives, including commission splits and fees
- Check the training and competency requirements for general insurance advice and enrol in any required course
- Get your ABN, set up a home office, and make a list of friends, family and community groups who could become first clients
Who pays
The insurer or licensee pays you commission. Customers pay their premiums to the insurer, not to you.
How it makes money
Upfront commission on new policies plus ongoing commission when customers renew. Income builds slowly as your base of renewing customers grows.
Skills that help
- Clear, honest explaining of complex products
- Sales and follow-up
- Careful record keeping and compliance
Watch out for
- You generally need to be authorised under an Australian Financial Services Licence, check ASIC's current requirements before selling anything
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, ask your licensee what they cover and what you must arrange yourself
- Commission is uncertain and slow to build, so plan for low income at the start
- Your obligations to give fair advice and disclose commissions, check with your licensee and ASIC
- Home-based business rules with your local council, and GST registration once you reach the threshold
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: home-based general insurance agent
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to become a home-based insurance agent?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on your home office setup, software and what your licensee requires you to arrange. Treat this as an estimate and ask your licensee what is covered.
How much can a general insurance agent earn from home?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $300 to $3,000, depending on how many policies you sell and the commission your licensee pays. Commission is uncertain and slow to build, so plan for low income at the start.
Do I need a licence to sell insurance in Australia?
You generally need to be authorised under an Australian Financial Services Licence, so check ASIC's current requirements before selling. Also check what insurance your licensee covers, your duties around fair advice and commission disclosure, and local council home business rules.
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