Small businesses should be aware there are changes to some codes of conduct.
- The remade Food and Grocery Code of Conduct started on 1 April 2025. It is now a mandatory code.
- Changes to the Franchising Code of Conduct started from 1 April 2025, with a transition period between 1 April and 31 October 2025 for some of the new rules.
Key topics
Find the latest details on the supermarkets inquiry which is examining pricing practices and relationships along the supply chain.
You can charge a surcharge for paying by card, but it must not be more than what it costs your business to process that payment type. Find out more about the card surcharge rules.
Understand when you do and don't need to give a refund, repair or replacement for products or services, and which solution may apply for different scenarios.
Small business toolkit
To make sure you know your rights and responsibilities when dealing with customers, competitors, and suppliers we’ve developed a small business toolkit. The toolkit can help make sure you’re complying with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, and the Australian Consumer Law.
Competing fairly and trading with other businesses
When dealing with other businesses, it’s important to understand the rules to make sure competition and contracts are fair.
Treating customers fairly
There are rules in place to make sure your business treats customers fairly when they purchase goods or services from you.
Pricing and promoting your business
You should be honest in your dealings and not make misleading claims about your products or services when advertising and selling your goods and services.
Latest news for small business
Sign up to the Small Business Information Network
Do you run a small business or advise small businesses? Keep up with all the latest news and events by joining the ACCC’s Small Business Information Network (SBIN).
Codes of conduct
Whether you are buying into a franchise, running or ending one. We can help you through the franchising code of conduct. Changes to the code start 1 November 2025.
If you're supplying products to supermarkets, they must follow the food and grocery code of conduct for how they treat you. Changes to the code start 1 April 2025.
Your small business may be part of other industry codes such as dairy, horticulture or wheat. Find out how you need to comply.
Report an issue
Do you have an issue affecting your business or franchise?
If you've experienced unfair, anti-competitive or misleading conduct, you can report it.
How ACCC helps small business
Our current priorities include unfair contract terms and making sure the protections of competition and consumer laws and industry codes of conduct are applied.
Understand the role and services of the ACCC. Find out what we can and can't do to help protect your small business.
The committee brings together industry and government members to discuss laws impacting small business and franchising.
Useful ACCC websites
Product safety is Australia's consumer product safety regulator. Find out about mandatory standards for products, banned and recalled products and how to sell safe products.
The National Anti-Scam Centre is on a mission to make Australia a harder target for scammers. Learn about the types of scams and how to protect your small business from scams.