A method for making soft magnetic material includes: a first heat treatment step applying a temperature of at least 400 deg C and less than 900 deg C to metal magnetic particles (10); a step for forming a plurality of compound magnetic particles (30) in which said metal magnetic particles (10) are surrounded by insulation film (20); and a step for forming a shaped body by compacting a plurality of compound magnetic particles (30). This provides a method for making soft magnetic material that provides desired magnetic properties.
