Latest release
Sub-major Group

53 Financial Services and Insurance Workers and Brokers

OSCA - Occupation Standard Classification for Australia
Reference period
2024, Version 1.0

53 Financial Services and Insurance Workers and Brokers

Provide a wide range of financial services including providing advice and preparing insurance, loans, investments, cash reconciliation and financial paraplanning, conducting insurance investigations and assessments, and brokering financial sales and purchases.

OSCA skill level

The occupations in this sub-major group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.

  • Skill Level 2: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma, Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience
  • Skill Level 3: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, AQF Certificate IV, or at least three years of relevant experience
  • Skill Level 4: AQF Certificate II, AQF Certificate III, or at least one year of relevant experience
Minor Group

531 Financial Services and Insurance Workers and Brokers

Provide a wide range of financial services including providing advice and preparing insurance, loans, investments, cash reconciliation and financial paraplanning, conducting insurance investigations and assessments, and brokering financial sales and purchases.

OSCA skill level

The occupations in this minor group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.

  • Skill Level 2: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma, Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience
  • Skill Level 3: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, AQF Certificate IV, or at least three years of relevant experience
  • Skill Level 4: AQF Certificate II, AQF Certificate III, or at least one year of relevant experience
Unit Group

5311 Bank Officers

Perform a range of duties for banks, building societies, credit unions and other financial institutions in person, over the phone and online, including customer service, cash reconciliations, loans and other services.

OSCA skill level

The occupations in this unit group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.

  • Skill Level 3: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, AQF Certificate IV, or at least three years of relevant experience
Occupation

531131 Bank Officer

Performs a range of duties for a bank, building society, credit union or other financial institution in person, over the phone or online, including customer service, cash reconciliations, loans and other services.

Specialisations

  • Bank Teller
  • Personal Banker

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Identifies customer needs and responds to customer enquiries on banking products, policies and services
  • Assists customers with opening and closing accounts, updating account information, preparing documentation and online banking
  • Ensures customers' forms are filled in correctly and checks customer identification documents
  • Verifies records and receipts, reconciles cash balances, and identifies unusual transactions and behaviour
  • Processes applications and payments of loans and mortgages, credit cards, term deposits, saving accounts and international money transfers
  • Explains and promotes bank services and products to customers and refers them to appropriate financial services
Unit Group

5312 Credit and Loans Officers

Analyse, evaluate and process credit and loan applications.

OSCA skill level

The occupations in this unit group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.

  • Skill Level 3: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, AQF Certificate IV, or at least three years of relevant experience
Occupation

531231 Credit or Loans Officer

Analyses, evaluates and processes credit and loan applications.

Alternative titles

  • Credit Analyst
  • Lending Consultant
  • Loans Consultant
  • Loans Officer

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Analyses information about customers, and examines references, credit ratings, investment risks, pay slips and other information against predetermined policy standards
  • Contacts financial and credit institutions to obtain information about customers
  • Prepares papers setting out conditions of credit and loans, rates of repayments and loan periods, and provides information about customers' standing to financial and credit institutions
  • Authorises the approval of credit and loan applications, and recommends credit and loan conditions and limits
  • Keeps records of payments, and prepares routine letters requesting payment for overdue accounts and forwards these for legal action
  • Answers enquiries concerning credit standing of customers, loan balances and penalties
  • May recommend, approve and arrange mortgages
Unit Group

5313 Financial and Insurance Brokers

Operate as intermediaries to facilitate the sale and purchase of commodities and businesses, and arrange insurance and loans of money on behalf of clients.

OSCA skill level

The occupations in this unit group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.

  • Skill Level 2: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma, Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience
  • Skill Level 3: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, AQF Certificate IV, or at least three years of relevant experience
Occupation

531331 Business Broker

Operates as an independent agent in the buying and selling of businesses.

Registration or licensing may be required.

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Identifies potential buyers and sellers of businesses, and evaluates businesses to determine their value and marketability
  • Prepares marketing materials and listings, and manages administrative tasks related to the buying and selling of businesses
  • Assists in the due diligence process for the sale of businesses
  • Provides advice and guidance to clients on the buying and selling process, and facilitates negotiations between buyers and sellers
Occupation

531332 Commodities Trader

Operates as an independent agent to bring together buyers and sellers of commodities, negotiates private sales, and arranges sales through established marketplaces.

Alternative title

  • Commodities Broker

Specialisations

  • Energy Trader
  • Grain Buyer
  • Livestock Trader
  • Media Buyer
  • Water Broker/Trader
  • Wool Broker

Skill level: 2

Main tasks

  • Monitors commodity prices, trends and other factors affecting the supply and demand of commodities
  • Negotiates the purchase and sale of commodities such as grain, wool, minerals and metals
  • Initiates, negotiates and agrees on terms of commodity purchases and sales contracts
  • Determines supply and demand, surveys market conditions, and analyses other economic forces in order to establish a market position
Occupation

531333 Finance Broker

Operates as an intermediary to perform finance negotiations, and arranges loans of money on behalf of clients.

Registration or licensing is required.

Specialisations

  • Asset Finance Broker
  • Commercial Finance Broker
  • Mortgage Broker

Skill level: 2

Main tasks

  • Brokers complex and commercial leases, equipment finance, commercial finance, project finance and finance for property developers
  • Arranges home loan mortgages, car and personal loans, debtor finance, refinancing and other types of finance for clients through banks, lenders, financiers and insurance companies
  • Assists with the application process and negotiates with lenders on behalf of clients
  • Determines the specific financial requirements of clients, and researches and reviews available finance products for suitability to meet clients' requirements
  • Analyses clients' financial status, discusses financial options and develops financial strategies
  • Prepares documents that set out the conditions of finance, repayments and loan periods
Occupation

531334 Insurance Broker

Provides advice on policies for life, fire, accident, health, industrial or other forms of insurance for a range of insurance companies.

Registration or licensing is required.

Skill level: 2

Main tasks

  • Interviews prospective clients to explain insurance policy conditions, risks covered, premium rates and benefits, and makes recommendations on the amount and type of cover
  • Determines the specific insurance requirements of clients, and researches and reviews available insurance products for suitability to meet clients' requirements
  • Arranges insurance for clients through insurance companies
  • Identifies and advises on significant risk changes to clients' insurance
Occupation

531399 Financial and Insurance Brokers nec

This occupation group covers Financial and Insurance Brokers not elsewhere classified.

Registration or licensing may be required.

Skill level: 2

Occupations in this group include:

  • Car Broker
  • Investment Broker
  • Shipbroker
Unit Group

5314 Insurance Consultants

Prepare and check documentation associated with a variety of insurance products.

OSCA skill level

The occupations in this unit group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.

  • Skill Level 4: AQF Certificate II, AQF Certificate III, or at least one year of relevant experience
Occupation

531431 Insurance Consultant

Prepares and checks documentation associated with a variety of insurance products.

Alternative titles

  • Claims Consultant
  • Insurance Clerk

Skill level: 4

Main tasks

  • Assists customers to make informed decisions by explaining the features and benefits of various insurance products
  • Processes insurance applications, adjustments to insurance cover, standard endorsements and insurance claims
  • Liaises with key internal and external stakeholders in obtaining necessary information relating to insurance variations
Unit Group

5315 Insurance Investigators, Loss Adjusters and Risk Surveyors

Conduct investigations into insurance claims, assess damage and loss to insured property and businesses, estimate insurance costs, and inspect insured items and properties to evaluate conditions affecting underwriting standards.

OSCA skill level

The occupations in this unit group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.

  • Skill Level 2: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma, Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience
  • Skill Level 3: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, AQF Certificate IV, or at least three years of relevant experience
Occupation

531531 Insurance Investigator

Conducts investigations into insurance claims to ensure their validity.

Registration or licensing is required.

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Examines scenes of incidents resulting in insurance claims to determine causes and effects
  • Conducts interviews to assess the validity of claims and identify the parties responsible for accidents, damage and loss, and prepares statements and reports
  • Inspects damaged buildings, equipment and motor vehicles
  • Interprets policy coverage and determines if coverage applies to claims submitted
  • Analyses data and information to identify patterns of fraudulent activity
  • Collaborates with law enforcement agencies and other professionals to gather information and evidence
  • Conducts surveillance and gathers evidence to support investigations
Occupation

531532 Insurance Loss Adjuster

Inspects and assesses the damage and loss to insured property and business, estimates insurance costs, and acts to minimise the cost of claims to an insurance company.

Alternative titles

  • Insurance Assessor
  • Insurance Loss Assessor

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Examines scenes of accidents resulting in insurance claims to determine the extent of loss and damage
  • Interviews witnesses and claimants to obtain details required to assess the validity of claims and identify the parties responsible for accidents, damage and loss, and prepares statements and reports
  • Estimates business losses resulting from fire, theft and other business disruptions
  • Estimates the cost of repairs or replacement of damaged property
  • Reports the extent of damage and estimated costs to the insurance company
  • Provides advice on how to minimise the cost of claims
Occupation

531533 Insurance Risk Surveyor

Inspects items and properties to evaluate conditions affecting underwriting standards, and develops and promotes safety programs.

Skill level: 2

Main tasks

  • Inspects property, buildings and operations of commercial and industrial establishments to assess physical conditions and work practices
  • Evaluates the adequacy of security, fire and related systems
  • Prepares reports and recommends actions to reduce risks
  • Compiles data that influences the determination of premium rates
Unit Group

5319 Other Financial Services and Insurance Workers and Brokers

This unit group covers Financial Services and Insurance Workers and Brokers not elsewhere classified. It includes Investment Administrators and Paraplanners.

OSCA skill level

The occupations in this unit group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.

  • Skill Level 2: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma, Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience
Occupation

531931 Investment Administrator

Processes and analyses documentation, and maintains records of client accounts, investments, securities, transactions and registrations.

Alternative titles

  • Investment Operations Analyst
  • Investment Portfolio Administrator

Specialisations

  • Fund Administrator
  • Settlements Officer (Financial)

Skill level: 2

Main tasks

  • Reviews, checks, verifies and issues documentation relating to onboarding clients, client information, transactions and client instructions
  • Uses various operating and database systems to input, assess, reconcile, manipulate and output information
  • Processes, calculates and allocates commissions, distributions, dividends, rebates and other financial transactions
  • Investigates and responds to client and adviser queries
  • May complete asset transfers, bookings, corporate actions, portfolio reconciliations, client reporting and settlements
Occupation

531932 Paraplanner

Provides administrative and client services assistance, and performs financial planning and analysis for Financial Advisers and planners.

Alternative titles

  • Financial Adviser Assistant
  • Financial Planning Assistant

Skill level: 2

Main tasks

  • Assists with financial advice strategy development and the preparation of legally compliant advice documents
  • Uses financial planning software programs and maintains client records
  • Researches, compares, sources quotes and selects appropriate financial products
  • May develop financial projections and modelling of client circumstances
  • May coordinate and take notes in client meetings, and respond to client queries