What the ACCC does

  • We regulate the Franchising Code of Conduct and provide guidance about the code.
  • We take action for breaches of competition and consumer law where it serves the public interest.
  • We offer a free course Is franchising for me? to help people thinking about buying a franchise understand if franchising is for them. 

What the ACCC can't do

  • We don’t give legal advice.
  • We don’t resolve individual franchising disputes.
  • We don’t take enforcement action in response to every report we receive.

A new Franchising Code of Conduct is in effect from 1 April 2025.

We’ve prepared guidance to help franchisors understand changes under the new code and when they apply.

Where relevant, we have updated our franchising pages to reflect the changes.

About franchising

Franchising is a way of doing business. A franchisor largely controls how the franchisee’s business is run and controls the name, brand, and business system the franchisee is going to use.

Thinking about buying a franchise

Buying a franchise is a big decision. Franchising comes with risks that can be hard to spot. Franchisees also have to follow more rules and restrictions than other small business owners.

During a franchise agreement

Franchising agreements can go for a long time and there are obligations on both sides. Franchisors have obligations during a franchise agreement, including to keep franchisees informed.

When things go wrong with a franchise

It is not possible to predict what can happen during a business relationship. Franchise agreements usually go for many years. Sometimes, things can go wrong.

What the ACCC does in franchising

The ACCC is the national regulator of consumer and competition laws, including the Franchising Code of Conduct. We do not resolve individual franchising disputes or give legal advice.

Learn more about franchising

Complete our free online franchising course

We have developed a free online course to help you decide if franchising is right for you. The course lets you understand how franchising is different from other business models.

Complete the course

Subscribe to the Franchising Information Network

Keep up to date on the franchising code and other industry news.

Sign up to the Franchising information network

ACCC action in franchising

See media releases on franchising