Where can I find work as a salesperson in Australia?

You can find work as a salesperson in Australia through five main routes: employed roles advertised on job boards and through recruiters, commission-only work as an independent contractor, sales marketplaces that connect sellers with businesses, approaching businesses directly, and referral or affiliate programs. Employed roles suit people who want a steady wage and training. Independent routes suit people who want flexibility, a side income or their own sales business.

This guide compares each route honestly, helps you pick one for your situation, and lists what to check before you accept any role that pays on commission.

What are the main ways to find sales work?

Here is the short version. Each route is covered in more detail below.

1. Employed sales roles. A wage, often with commission or bonuses on top, found through job boards and recruiters.
2. Commission-only contracting. You run your own small business and are paid only when you make a sale.
3. Sales marketplaces. Businesses list what they sell and what they pay, and independent sellers choose offers to work on.
4. Direct approaches. You pitch a business you already like and agree a commission arrangement with them.
5. Referral and affiliate programs. You recommend a product, usually online, and earn a fee for each tracked sale.

Are employed sales jobs still the best place to start?

For many people, yes. An employed role pays at least the minimum set by the relevant award or agreement, plus entitlements such as leave and superannuation. You also get structure: a manager, a sales process, training and usually a pipeline of leads you did not have to find yourself.

Job boards are the obvious starting point. Search for titles such as sales representative, account executive, business development representative, inside sales and retail sales. Recruiters who specialise in sales can also help, particularly for experienced sellers in fields like software, finance or medical devices. They are paid by the employer, so you should not be charged for their help.

The trade-off is control. Your hours, territory, products and targets are set for you, and your earnings ceiling is shaped by the employer’s commission plan.

Where can I find commission-only sales work?

Commission-only work in Australia is generally for independent contractors, not employees. That is because employees must be paid at least their minimum entitlements under awards and the National Employment Standards, whatever their sales results. If a role is advertised as commission-only, you are usually being asked to work as a contractor with your own ABN. Applying for an ABN through the Australian Business Register is free.

You will find these roles on general job boards, in industry groups and through word of mouth. Quality varies a lot. Some are genuine, well-run arrangements with clear terms. Others are poorly disguised attempts to avoid paying wages, which is known as sham contracting and is illegal. Our guide to commission-only sales jobs explains the difference, how commission is calculated and the red flags to watch for.

How do sales marketplaces work?

A sales marketplace sits between businesses and independent sellers. Businesses list their products or services along with the commission they pay. Sellers browse the offers, choose the ones that fit their audience, and get a tracked link or code to sell with.

On Open Sales, the process looks like this:

• You join free, verify your ID and ABN in about five minutes, and can then see commission rates and the price per sale for each offer.
• You apply to an offer with a short pitch, or join instantly where the business allows it.
• You sign a plain-English agreement in the app and complete a short training course, usually about three modules.
• Sales are tracked automatically, and once a sale’s refund window closes, we pay you weekly. You never have to invoice anyone.
• Your settled sales build a verified public sales record that you cannot edit, which helps businesses trust you with better offers.

Fees apply on commission paid, and they are shown before you accept any terms. Businesses on the marketplace are verified and rated by sellers, so you can see how others found working with them. You can browse offers by field, for example software, health and beauty or trades and construction, or see all industries.

Should I approach businesses directly?

If there is a local business or brand you already love and recommend, asking them directly can work well. Explain who you can reach, how you would sell, and propose a commission. Small businesses often have no formal program but are open to a sensible arrangement.

The catch is that everything becomes your job: writing up the agreement, agreeing how sales will be tracked, invoicing and chasing payment. Without reliable tracking, it can be hard to prove which sales were yours. Put the terms in writing before you start, even if it is just a clear email that both of you confirm.

Are referral and affiliate programs worth it?

Referral and affiliate programs are easy to join and suit people who already publish content, such as bloggers, video creators and newsletter writers. You share a link, and the business pays a fee when someone buys through it.

They can be a good fit for light-touch recommendations. They are less suited to products that need a conversation, a demonstration or a follow-up call, where an active seller adds more value and commission is often higher. Payment terms and tracking quality also vary widely between programs, so read the terms closely.

Which route suits my situation?

I have no sales experience

Start with whatever gives you the most support. An entry-level employed role teaches you the basics while paying a wage. If you would rather stay independent, pick one product you genuinely use and understand, and sell it to people who already trust you. Short training and a clear agreement matter more to you than a high commission rate.

I want a side income

Independent routes fit best because you choose your own hours. Marketplaces and affiliate programs let you start small, test what works with your network, and stop without notice periods. Be realistic: commission depends entirely on sales, and any example earnings you see are not promises.

I want to sell full-time as an independent

You will want a mix of offers, ideally including some with recurring commission, which is paid each month a customer stays. Look for businesses with strong ratings, reliable tracking and predictable payment. Treat it as a business: keep records, set aside tax, and build a track record that proves your results. Our step-by-step guide to starting with an ABN covers the setup.

What should I check before taking any commission role?

Before you accept any role that pays on commission, check these points:

• Employee or contractor. If you are told what to do, when and how, like an employee, you may be entitled to wages. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains the difference.
• A written agreement. It should state the commission rate or amount, what counts as a sale, and when you are paid.
• Tracking. You should know exactly how your sales are attributed to you, and be able to see them.
• Refunds. Find out when a sale becomes final and whether commission can be clawed back.
• No upfront fees. You should not pay to join, buy a starter kit or pay for leads to get started.
• Honest selling. You should never be asked to mislead customers about a product, its price or its terms.

Ready to find your first offer?

If independent selling sounds right for you, the simplest next step is to look at real offers and see what fits the people you already know. Joining is free, verification takes about five minutes, and you can see every commission rate before you apply. Create your free seller account and start browsing offers today.