Kona Recruitment insurance specialist Ellis Hale says the industry has undergone a hiring shift which is being reflected in higher salaries and is creating an opportunity for those in broking, claims and underwriting to fast-track their careers.

Ms Hale says entry-level salaries, for example, are up $10,000-15,000 from a few years ago.

“I'm pretty excited to see what happens this financial year, I think there's going to be a lot of movement in the industry,” Ms Hale tells insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“Salaries have definitely increased recently,” she said. “We've actually seen a shift because companies were struggling to find junior professionals who had experience.

"The salary for somebody coming in with no, or just a small amount of experience at an insurer, is now in line with what I would have seen for somebody who had two years in a similar role some years ago.”

"They're highly desirable salaries now. Companies have acknowledged that perhaps entry level salaries were too low before.”

She says graduates in law, commerce and accounting are entering insurance, and the traditionally “candidate short market” is finding favour as employers demonstrate more flexibility regarding who they will hire, and the rewards on offer.

“There's been a huge shift happening – these are national and international broking houses as well as reputable underwriting agencies, so really strong businesses and desirable employers within the market. So it's been fantastic to see.”

She says many young professionals may not understand how “collaborative, diverse, technical, fast-paced and lucrative” insurance can be, and may incorrectly assume the work is mundane, their progression will be limited, or the role is "entirely focused on selling insurance to those who don't need it”.

In fact, the avenues for progression in insurance are “essentially limitless,” she says, with a flexible and self-paced pathway.

"You can double your salary within a handful of years, provided you apply the right attitude, the right work ethic and the right commitment to your work and to your career,” Ms Hale said.

She recommends professionals wanting to advance to the next rung begin by approaching their manager about taking on more responsibility, and also consider undertaking further study and talking with a specialist recruiter.

“If anybody needs to have a confidential conversation about what the options are, what the titles of the progression look like, and what responsibilities and salaries come with that title and which businesses do what, we are here to share our knowledge,” Ms Hale said.