Are broker commissions a conflict of interest or an essential part of an accessible insurance market? As Australia and New Zealand examine this question, Malaysia offers a valuable counterpoint.

Across Australia and New Zealand, broker remuneration is coming under increasing scrutiny. The challenge is balancing the potential conflicts created by commissions against their role in supporting access to professional insurance advice.

Australia has stopped short of banning general insurance commissions, instead moving towards greater transparency and informed consent.

In New Zealand, commissions also remain widespread, while regulatory attention has focused increasingly on whether remuneration arrangements create unmanaged conflicts or poor customer outcomes.

What can we learn by viewing the debate through the lens of a different insurance market?

Three markets, one commission question

In Malaysia, Bank Negara issued its revised Prudent and Professional Conduct of Insurance and Takaful Brokers policy in August 2025, while its broader regulatory approach has increasingly emphasised professionalism, consumer treatment and intermediary conduct.

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