The commercial energy market in Australia

Energy is one of the biggest overhead costs for Australian businesses. With rates fluctuating and deregulation creating competition between providers, businesses are actively looking for better deals. This creates a significant opportunity for commission sales agents.

Commercial energy brokers connect businesses with energy providers, negotiate rates, and earn commissions on every contract they place. The commissions are typically recurring, meaning you earn for the duration of the contract and often on renewals.

How the business model works

As an energy broker or agent, you work with one or more energy retailers. You help businesses compare rates, understand their usage patterns, and choose the best provider for their needs.

Your commission comes from the energy retailer, not the customer. The customer pays the same rate whether they use a broker or go direct, so there is no cost disadvantage to them.

What you need to get started

You need to partner with or work under an authorised energy retailer or brokerage. You need to understand how to read energy bills and compare rates. Knowledge of contract terms, demand charges, and tariff structures is essential.

The learning curve is moderate, but once you understand the fundamentals, the sales conversations are relatively straightforward.

How to find prospects

Every business with a power bill is a potential prospect. Focus on businesses with high energy consumption: manufacturing facilities, warehouses, retail stores, hotels, restaurants with commercial kitchens, and office buildings.

Ask a simple question: "When was the last time you reviewed your energy contract?" Most businesses have not reviewed theirs in years and are overpaying.

The pitch

Energy sales is one of the easiest pitches in commission sales:

"I can review your current energy contract and see if there is a better deal available. There is no cost to you, and if I cannot beat your current rate, there is no obligation. Would you like me to take a look?"

Most business owners will say yes to this because there is zero downside.

Income potential

A single commercial energy contract can generate $50 to $500 per month in trailing commission depending on the business's consumption. An agent with 50 active contracts generating an average of $150 per month earns $7,500 monthly in recurring income.

After two to three years of consistent work, six figure incomes are common in energy brokering.