Australia a great option for UK insurtechs, law firm says

Law firm Norton Rose Fulbright Australia has partnered with the UK Department for International Trade to create a guide for UK insurtechs encouraging them to bring their innovation to Australia.

Australia has a vibrant insurtech ecosystem, Norton Rose says, and similarities between the UK and Australian insurance markets make “Down Under” a great option for insurtechs looking to expand abroad.

“The Australian insurtech ecosystem is vibrant and constantly growing,” it said. “Insurtechs generally enjoy close collaboration with locally authorised insurers.”

It notes a number of local insurers have established specialist units to invest in new technologies, including QBE Ventures and IAG Labs.

It will also be easier for senior employees to move on intra-company transfers to Australia after the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed in December. This grants visas of up to 4 years, and spouses and dependent children will also have the right to work.

“It‘s an historic deal providing even greater opportunities for insurtechs to access the Australian market,” Norton Rose said, noting both countries have also agreed to enable the free flow of data cross-border to ensure financial institutions can operate cross-border with Australia without data localisation requirements.

“This means that UK businesses are not obliged to store financial data in Australia,” it said.

The FTA also means UK companies can bid for financial and business services contracts for procurement by Australian and state governments and fewer UK investments will need to go through Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board as only investments over $1.2 billion – with some sensitive sector exceptions – will be subject to review, more than quadrupling the UK’s previous threshold.

Norton Rose also notes Australia’s regulatory sandbox allows testing of eligible financial services without holding a licence for up to 24 months, with a gross written premium limit of $5 million.

Challenges for UK insurtechs includes adapting their messaging, content, products, and services to meet the specific Australian market and potential customers, ensuring an offer meets all regulatory and legal requirements, registering an Australian Business Number (ABN), taxation and employment arrangements, setting up a bank account, and being mindful of time differences.

“The advantages are that Australia’s time zones provide excellent follow-the-sun support coverage for your customers, and can be a great stepping-stone into south-east Asian markets which are all in similar time zones to Australia,” Norton Rose said.