Industries
Business insurance by industry
The cover a business needs depends mostly on what it does. Find your industry to see the covers it usually holds, and whether you can compare online or a licensed broker is the better fit.
- Over 60 occupations, each with its industry code
- Compare online or through a licensed broker
Why your industry matters
Insurers price business insurance on the risk in the work you do, so the first thing we ask is your occupation. Each occupation maps to an ANZSIC code, the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification that the ABS uses to group businesses by industry.
Your occupation also decides how you get quotes. Most trades, cleaning, hospitality, retail and professional services can compare online. Some industries are arranged through a licensed broker because the cover is more specialised.
At 30 June 2026 the ABS counted 2,814,778 actively trading businesses in Australia, grouped into 19 industry divisions.
The biggest industries by business count
The ABS counts actively trading businesses by industry each year. At 30 June 2026 the largest divisions were the ones this site covers most deeply.
| Industry division | Businesses | Change in 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 478,651 | +3.4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 366,289 | +3.6% |
| Rental, hiring and real estate services | 319,717 | +3.7% |
| Transport, postal and warehousing | 261,109 | +4.9% |
| Health care and social assistance | 227,702 | +6.7% |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 170,185 | −0.5% |
| Retail trade | 156,143 | +0.1% |
| Accommodation and food services | 114,369 | +1.3% |
Health care and transport are growing fastest, which is where new businesses most often ask for cover for the first time.
Find your industry
Not listed here? . Our quote form knows more than 700 industries.
Compare online
These industries can request quotes online.
Through a licensed broker
These industries are arranged through a licensed broker.
The covers each industry group usually holds
| Industry group | Covers usually held |
|---|---|
| Trades | Public liability, tools, commercial vehicle, and workers compensation for employers. See tradie insurance. |
| Hospitality | Public and product liability, a business pack and workers compensation. |
| Cleaning | Public liability, equipment cover and workers compensation for employers. |
| Professional services | Professional indemnity, public liability and cyber. |
| Health and fitness | Professional indemnity and public liability. |
| Retail | A business pack, public and product liability, and cyber if you sell online. |
How to find your cover
Industry questions
Why does my industry affect my insurance?
Insurers price cover on the risk in the work you do. A roofer and a bookkeeper carry very different risks, so the occupation you choose shapes both the covers you need and the price.
What is an ANZSIC code?
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification, used by the ABS to group businesses by industry. Insurers use it to classify your business.
What if my industry isn’t listed?
Start a quote and search for your occupation. If it isn’t in the list, a licensed broker can still help.
Why are some industries arranged by a broker?
Some work needs more specialised cover, such as financial professions, higher-hazard trades, transport and farming. A licensed broker reviews those and arranges quotes.
Sources
Industries