What the ACCC does

  • We regulate the Franchising Code of Conduct and provide guidance about the code.
  • We provide guidance materials for franchisees and franchisors about code obligations.
  • We take reports about alleged breaches of the code or misconduct affecting your business. You can report a potential breach to the ACCC.
  • We conduct compliance checks on franchisors and can start an investigation about a franchise system.

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.

New franchising code rules

A new Franchising Code of Conduct was introduced on 1 April 2025. Some rules in the new code apply from 1 November 2025. Changes cover:

  • disclosure of significant capital expenditure
  • the specific purpose fund
  • reasonable opportunity to make a return on investment
  • compensation for early termination
  • restraint of trade clauses.

We’ve prepared guidance to help franchisors understand the changes under the new code and when they apply. Where relevant, we have updated and added information about the changes to franchising pages.

The franchising code

The franchise agreement

The franchise agreement

The franchise agreement is a contract. It sets out the rights and responsibilities of the franchisor and franchisee.

Ending a franchise agreement

Franchise agreements usually operate for a limited time. Franchisees need to think ahead about what happens when the franchise agreement ends.

Information and disclosure obligations under the code

The information statement

The franchisor must give the statement to prospective franchisees. It highlights issues to think about before becoming a franchisee.

Specific purpose funds

It’s common for franchisors to require franchisees to pay money on an ongoing basis for a specific common purpose, such as marketing fees. There are rules to follow.

Supply arrangements and restrictions

Franchisors must disclose supply arrangements, which are when they control who a franchisee can get their supplies from, what they can sell, or who they can sell to.

Significant capital expenditure

The franchise disclosure document must include information about significant capital expenditure that is required by the franchisor.

Relationships under the code

Acting in good faith under the code

Parties must act in good faith in their business dealings with each other. This includes those who enter, or propose to enter, into a franchise agreement.

Resolving franchising disputes

As there is often a power imbalance between franchisors and franchisees, the code sets out what they must do when there's a dispute.

Finding out about franchising

Before you sign a franchise agreement

Buying a franchise is a big decision. Find out as much as you can beforehand from legal advisors, the franchisor, and current and past franchisees.

Franchise disclosure register

Use the register for free to find franchise information. Franchisors must create a profile and publish information.

Franchising free course

Our free online course ‘Is franchising for me?’ is a great starting point if you're thinking about buying a franchised business.

Subscribe to the Franchising Information Network

Keep up to date on the franchising code and other industry news. Receive updates by email through the network.

Sign up to the network

Guidance in other languages

We provide guidance about buying and running a franchise in other languages:

For a complete list of guidance in other languages, see our Other languages section.

ACCC in franchising

The ACCC is responsible for compliance and enforcement of the franchising code. We conduct franchising compliance checks and takes action to enforce the law. We also educate franchisors and franchisees.

See media releases on franchising