CBN COMBINED BROKERS NETWORK LTD.

What CBN COMBINED BROKERS NETWORK LTD. does

CBN (Community Broker Network) Pty Ltd operates Australia's largest general insurance authorized broker network, comprising 900+ individual brokers and 300+ authorized representative businesses with 1000+ authorized brokers and support staff, serving over 335,000 policyholders across Australia and New Zealand. The company connects small business customers seeking general insurance with appropriate brokers through a consumer-facing iNeedCover platform and a broker-locator tool, while providing member brokers with compliance support, market access, professional development, and a community infrastructure built around The CBN Hub portal, CBN Academy, and the annual CBN SHINE Conference.

The underlying technology stack combines a proprietary broker hub portal with third-party InsureTech integrations including Insight, SCTP, and the Industry Placement Tracker, alongside a purpose-built compliance management platform for AFSL obligations and a DEFT-integrated premium payment portal for customer billing. Brokers access 300+ insurance markets, many exclusive and not available to the public, enabling $1.08 billion in gross written premium placed annually through the network.

The business model rests on three revenue streams: insurance broker commissions on policies placed through the network, recurring network membership and authorization fees paid by brokers for access to compliance, market access, and support resources, and transaction-based premium funding services. The GTM motion is primarily channel-driven through the 900+ authorized broker representatives, augmented by direct-to-consumer acquisition via iNeedCover. The company operates offices in Melbourne (headquarters), Perth, and Adelaide, is incorporated in Victoria, and operates as part of the broader Steadfast network. It holds Great Place to Work and Carbon Neutral certifications and is a 2026 ANZIIF AR Network of the Year finalist.

Name

CBN COMBINED BROKERS NETWORK LTD.

Legal name

Community Broker Network Pty Ltd

Website

https://cbn.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CBN operates Australia's largest general insurance authorized broker network, connecting 900+ brokers with small businesses through its iNeedCover platform while providing compliance, technology, and professional development support across Australia and New Zealand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insurance Broker Network

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (52421), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Broker-Dealer / Registered Representative Networks (FSAEACAG)

Keywords

• Insurance broker network
• General insurance brokerage
• Insurance compliance services
• Insuretech platforms
• Professional broker development

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Insurance Broker Commissions: CBN generates revenue through commissions earned on insurance policies placed through its network of brokers. Brokers access exclusive markets and place insurance on behalf of clients, with commissions shared between the broker and network.
2. Network Membership/Authorization Fees: Insurance brokers pay fees to be part of the CBN authorized representative network, gaining access to compliance support, professional development, market access, and network resources.
3. Premium Funding Services: Brokers can offer premium funding services to clients as part of their service offering, with associated revenue sharing.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Community Broker Network (CBN) operates Australia's largest general insurance authorised broker network, comprising over 900 brokers and 300+ authorised representative businesses. The network provides authorised brokers with compliance support, access to 300+ insurance markets, professional development through CBN Academy, and operational tools via The CBN Hub. Customers are served through the iNeedCover platform, which matches small business owners with appropriate CBN brokers for tailored insurance solutions.

Product overview

CBN COMBINED BROKERS NETWORK LTD. operates as a network of authorized insurance brokers rather than a traditional software product company. The core offering is the CBN Broker Network—the largest general insurance authorized broker network in Australia—comprising over 900 individual brokers and 300+ authorized representative businesses. This network is supported by the customer-facing iNeedCover platform, which matches small business customers with suitable CBN brokers based on their industry and risk profiles. For brokers, the CBN Hub serves as the central portal providing access to professional development through CBN Academy, industry updates, networking events, and operational resources. The ecosystem also includes a Broker Partnering Service for business continuity support and a Premium Payment Service for insurance billing through DEFT integration. The network serves over 335,000 policy holders and places $1.08 billion in gross written premium through access to 300+ insurance markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iNeedCover: Online platform helping small business customers find their perfect insurance fit from CBN's network of 900+ Brokers
• The Hub
• CBN Academy

Products and services

• iNeedCover Online customer-facing platform that helps small business customers identify key risk exposures and connects them with the most suitable CBN-authorised insurance broker for their industry and coverage needs.
• CBN Broker Network Australia's leading general insurance authorised broker network providing member brokers with market access, compliance support, professional development, and shared resources to deliver tailored insurance solutions to small business customers.
• Broker Partnering Service Continuity-of-service offering in which CBN's team steps in to maintain client portfolios when member brokers face busy periods, illness, or need time off, ensuring uninterrupted client service.
• Premium Payment Service Insurance premium payment service powered by the DEFT platform that allows CBN customers to pay their premiums via bank transfer or credit card through an integrated payment portal.
• The CBN Hub Central broker portal providing member brokers with industry updates, professional development resources, networking opportunities, and operational tools to support daily client service.
• CBN Academy Professional development platform offering on-demand courses, webinars, mentoring programs, and biannual community development days to equip member brokers with industry-leading insurance skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1.08 billion in gross written premium placed through exclusive markets
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• SteadfastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Broker Network is part of Australasia's largest general insurance broker network. Through CBN, brokers gain access to the resources and exclusive markets of the Steadfast network. This partnership provides scale advantages, market-leading innovation, and stronger position to secure best insurance solutions at competitive prices.
• National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBN is a member of NIBA, the peak body of the insurance broking profession in Australia. This membership provides professional recognition, industry advocacy, and connection to broader insurance broking standards and practices.
• Foodbank AustraliasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBN partners with Foodbank Australia to help communities in times of disaster. The network's Charity Challenge events have raised significant funds for Foodbank, including $40,000 in 2023 for food relief.
• TracesupportingOthersCBN partnered with Trace to become a carbon-neutral organisation. Trace helped measure carbon emissions of buildings and travel, and CBN offsets through certified carbon credits and tree planting.
• TaptminorOthersCBN transitioned from printed business cards to digital business cards through Tapt, supporting sustainability initiatives.
• DEFTsupportingTechnology or IntegrationDEFT provides the premium payment portal used by CBN for insurance premium payments. Customers can pay by bank transfer or credit card through the DEFT platform.
• Huma Charity ChallengesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert guides for CBN's annual Charity Challenge treks, including Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail and Larapinta Trail in Alice Springs, supporting Indigenous community programs.
• Insurance Industry PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance industry partners are core to CBN's network strength. Partners include leading insurers and underwriting agencies that empower brokers to find best coverage. CBN works with high-calibre partners who help deliver high-quality insurance solutions across diverse risk appetite.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PSC Insurance Group: PSC is an Australian-headquartered specialty insurance broker that has grown via acquisition of brokerages across the region. Comparable to CBN in targeting commercial and specialty insurance distribution through a network of broker offices.
• AUB Group: AUB Group is an ASX-listed Australian insurance broker network and equity partner to brokerages, very comparable to CBN's authorised representative model. Both aggregate independent brokers to achieve scale in market access and placement capacity.
• Hub International: Hub International is a North American insurance brokerage that has built scale through acquiring and networking independent brokerages. Closely comparable to CBN's model of supporting a network of regional brokers with shared resources and market access.

Broad incumbents

• Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Australia): Gallagher is a global insurance brokerage and risk management firm with significant Australian operations. Overlaps with CBN in serving general insurance placements for commercial and SMB clients, but at much larger scale with broader international resources.
• Allianz Australia: Allianz Australia is a major general insurer that distributes through broker networks including CBN. As a carrier-side incumbent, it shapes market access terms and is a critical partner/competitor dynamic for any broker network.
• Marsh (Australia): Marsh is a leading global insurance broker and risk advisor with strong Australian operations. Competes with CBN for placement of complex commercial insurance risks and shares the same insurer partner ecosystem.
• Suncorp Insurance: Suncorp is a major Australian general insurer distributing through broker and direct channels. While primarily a carrier rather than broker network, its multi-channel strategy directly competes with broker-mediated distribution models like CBN's.
• Steadfast Group: Steadfast is Australasia's largest general insurance broker network and the affiliated parent/partner network of CBN. Both operate authorised broker network models placing premium through shared insurer relationships across Australia and New Zealand.
• Aon (Australia): Aon is one of the world's largest insurance brokers with a substantial Australian presence serving commercial clients. Comparable to CBN in general insurance placement and risk advisory, though operating as a single global firm rather than an aggregated authorised representative network.
• Insurance Australia Group (IAG): IAG is Australia's largest general insurer and a key carrier partner to broker networks including CBN. It is a counterparty in the placement chain rather than a network competitor, but materially shapes the broker distribution landscape.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cbrokernetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-broker-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/communitybrokernetwork

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CBN COMBINED BROKERS NETWORK LTD.