Insurance is a vital aspect of our daily lives, safeguarding everything we hold dear from unforeseen mishaps. At the forefront of this process are Insurance Brokers, who play a pivotal role in ensuring that our possessions and assets are protected.

In Australia, pursuing a career in insurance broking presents a wealth of opportunities and promising career prospects. This industry offers a diverse range of employment opportunities with some of Australia’s largest and most dynamic corporations. As per Seek’s recent statistics , there are currently over 600 open positions in this field, offering an average salary of approximately 80k.

If you’re seeking a career transition or embarking on your professional journey, the realm of insurance broking may not sound alluring, but it is a hidden gem and a career choice that can secure your future.

But what ACTUALLY is an Insurance Broker?

Insurance brokers fulfil a critical and often intimate role in their clients’ lives. Acting as intermediaries between buyers and insurance providers, these professionals are dedicated to assisting individuals and businesses in securing policies tailored to their specific needs.

With expertise in a variety of insurance products, from trades and business insurance to personal and property insurance, insurance brokers offer professional advice and guidance, ensuring that clients make informed decisions. Each day presents unique and exciting challenges, from procuring public liability insurance for a business to assisting a homeowner with their home and contents insurance, as well as catering to more unconventional needs like art collectors’ insurance, luxury car coverage for overseas buyers, and even museum coverage for priceless exhibitions. In today’s world, insurance is ubiquitous and indispensable, following us everywhere we go, and Insurance Brokers are at the forefront.

Contrary to popular belief, insurance broking involves much more than just crunching numbers. To excel in this dynamic and ever-evolving field, an insurance broker must possess a diverse skill set that enables them to deliver exceptional service to their clients. With a keen eye for detail and outstanding problem-solving abilities, insurance brokers must be highly organised and efficient in their work. They must be trustworthy with excellent communication skills, driven by a genuine passion for helping clients achieve peace of mind. But of course, an insurance broker must possess strong skills in research and numerical analysis. Whilst being exceptional negotiators with a decisive and driven approach to securing the best and most cost-effective solutions for their clients.

How to enter the insurance broking industry?

A common misconception about insurance broking is that it requires a degree. While having a background in finance, business, economics, accounting, or psychology can certainly provide transferable skills, a degree is by no means a prerequisite for launching a successful career in broking.

“Understanding the nuances of the role is crucial in the insurance industry, as each company may have slightly different requirements,” says Amy Hatfield, Senior Account Manager at Fuse Recruitment. “It is important to highlight your transferable skills, such as relationship-building, people skills, and negotiation abilities, to prospective hiring managers.”

If you’re ready to kick off your career in insurance broking in Australia, the first step is obtaining a Tier 1 in Insurance broking. This certification will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills required for entry-level roles in the industry. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the insurance market, the legal and financial obligations and requirements, and the industry code of conduct.

What’s Next?

After completing your Tier 1 in insurance, the next step you can undertake is a Diploma of Insurance Broking which typically takes around 12 months of full-time study. All though this step is definitely not necessary, it is extremely complementary to the role and viewed quite highly by hiring managers.  This program is designed to further develop your insurance broking skills, equipping you with the knowledge and expertise required to become a successful insurance broker.

During the diploma, you’ll develop a range of important skills, such as negotiation and communication, basic insurance broking skills, claims handling, and knowledge of retail insurance products and policies. Additionally, you’ll learn about record management, an essential aspect of maintaining the high level of organisation and attention to detail that insurance broking demands.

Experience in the industry

Gaining experience is a crucial step in any career, and insurance broking is no exception. But how do you start building your experience while still studying?

Internships and traineeships offer unparalleled opportunities to bolster your resume while gaining practical experience in the insurance broking industry. By participating in these programs, you not only enhance your insurance broking skills in a real industry environment, but also expand your network, meet clients, and gain firsthand exposure to the fast-paced insurance broking industry.

As insurance brokers interact directly with clients, possessing empathy, understanding, excellent listening and conversational skills, as well as trustworthiness and the ability to establish rapport, is essential. These skills are best learned through hands-on experience, which you can acquire during an internship while studying or after completing your studies. A critical aspect of your role as an insurance broker is to reassure clients that you comprehend their situation or business and are working in their best interests to provide them with optimal coverage. These skills cannot be acquired in a classroom but must be learned through practical experience in the industry.

So what are you waiting for?

Pursuing a career as an insurance broker in Australia is a smart and potentially lucrative choice. This industry offers a diverse range of employment opportunities and promising career prospects, and the demand for insurance brokers is consistently high.

As an insurance broker, you will play a critical role in protecting your clients’ possessions and assets, and every day will present unique and exciting challenges. While a degree is not necessary to enter the industry. With dedication and a passion for helping clients achieve peace of mind, you can build a successful career in insurance broking and make a meaningful impact in the lives of your clients without having to spend years and thousands of dollars studying.

Whether you’re looking for a career change or just to get your foot in the door. Our team of highly skilled insurance broking experts are dedicated to helping you achieve success and take your career to new heights. With unparalleled industry knowledge and a vast network of connections to some of the most well-known household names, our Insurance Broking Specialists can guide you every step of the way towards your professional goals. Don’t wait any longer to make your mark in the insurance industry.

Get in touch with us today!