Guides credited to the editorial team are researched and written by FranchiseScope with AI assistance, then checked against primary sources such as the ACCC, the Franchising Code of Conduct and federal legislation. They are general information, not legal or financial advice, and are updated when the rules change. Spotted an error? Tell us through the contact page and we will correct it.
Guides written
What your franchisor can't do: 12 rules in the Franchising CodeOld Code or new Code? How to tell which Franchising Code governs your agreementThe 2025 Franchising Code: what changed for buyersThe franchise 14-day rule: what restarts the clock and when deposits must be refundedBuying a second franchise unit: when disclosure and cooling-off can be waivedCan my franchisor make me refurbish? The four lawful routes to forced capexCan a franchisor change the franchise agreement? What it can change and what it must discloseUnfair contract terms in franchise agreements: the clauses the ACCC keeps flaggingFranchisee associations: your right to organise and the $10 million penalty tierCan a franchisor be liable for wage underpayment? Worker exploitation and the CodeBeyond the marketing fund: specific purpose funds under the Franchising CodeCan franchisees waive the marketing fund audit? The 75% vote explainedWhat can franchise marketing fund money pay for? Admin costs, salaries and company storesRefused a renewal? When a post-term restraint of trade stops workingFranchise termination on 7 days' notice: the grounds you can and can't disputeHow to end a franchise agreement lawfully: breach notices, no-fault exits and exit proposalsSelling your franchise: the 42-day consent rule and reasonable grounds to refuseEnd-of-term notices: the 6-month rule and what your franchisor must tell youFranchise mediation and arbitration: what both sides must doThe 1 November 2025 Franchising Code changes: a franchisor's transition checklistDisclosing significant capital expenditure: how to identify, estimate and word itThe pre-signing capex conversation (s47): how to run it and prove it happenedA reasonable chance to earn back the investment: setting term length under s44Early-termination compensation clauses: market exit, network cuts and going onlineThe franchise fund compliance calendar: 4-month statements, audits and 30-day deliveryThe franchise information statement: meeting the 7-day deadlineIndependent advice statements: legal, business and accounting sign-offs before signingDisclosure document deadlines: the 4-month annual update and on-request updatesMaterially relevant facts: the 14-day notice rule with a $10 million penalty tierFranchisor solvency statements and financial reports: getting disclosure item 21 rightFranchise supplier rebates: what the disclosure document must revealFormer franchisee contacts: churn tables, contact details and the 14-day privacy noticeThe Franchise Disclosure Register's integrity questions: convictions, judgments and insolvencyFranchise Disclosure Register penalties: what five infringement notices teachThe ACCC now runs the Franchise Disclosure Register: what changed in 2025 and 2026Franchisor record keeping: the 6-year rules and the ACCC's 21-day document demandFranchising Code penalties in 2026: $218,400 per breach and the $10 million tierACCC infringement notices for franchisors: how they work and how to respondACCC franchising enforcement, 2015 to 2026: the cases and the lessonsUltra Tune's $1.5 million contempt fine: what court-ordered compliance demandsNew car dealerships and the Franchising Code: notices, wind-down plans and buy-backsFranchising in Australia by the numbers (2026): which figures to trustIs franchising growing in Australia? What the data actually showsThe Schaper review of the Franchising Code: what it found and what changedFranchise complaints in Australia: what the ACCC data showsFranchise disputes in Australia: how common they are and why estimates range from 0.2% to 33%Do franchises fail less than independent businesses? The honest answerWhat is the most profitable franchise in Australia? Why the question misleadsNew, small or established franchise systems: what the data says about riskWhat happens if your franchisor goes broke? Brand churn and insolvency checksBuying a cleaning franchise in Australia: models, costs and checks (2026)Guaranteed income cleaning franchises: how the offers work and what to checkBuying a mowing or garden franchise in Australia: what it costs and what to checkBuying a coffee franchise in Australia: kiosk vs cafe vs coffee vanBuying a fast food franchise in Australia: costs, leases and the numbers to testBubble tea, frozen yoghurt and dessert franchises in Australia: trend or durable business?Buying a gym franchise in Australia: 24/7 gyms vs boutique fitness studiosBuying a pet services franchise in Australia: grooming, dog walking and pet careLaundromat franchises in Australia: what to know before you buy a semi-passive businessMobile and van-based franchises in Australia: costs, territories and what to checkBuying a courier franchise in Australia: runs, rates and the contract to checkBuying a childcare franchise in Australia after the 3 Day Guarantee: what changed and what to checkHome care franchises in Australia under Support at Home: what buyers need to knowNDIS franchises in Australia: registration, pricing and the checks to makeBuying a tutoring franchise in Australia: centres, online models and working with children checksAutomotive service franchises in Australia: workshops, tyres and mobile mechanicsConvenience store, fuel and postal franchises in Australia: margins, hours and leasesRetail franchises in Australia in 2026: leases, stock and the online questionHealth and allied health franchises in Australia: registration, referrals and the economicsB2B and IT services franchises in Australia: selling to businesses as a franchiseeReal estate franchises in Australia: licensing, commission splits and franchise feesSolar, battery and EV charging franchises in Australia: licences, rebates and risksHow to write a franchise business plan for a bank loanBuying a franchise when interest rates are rising: a 2026 stress testFranchise loan repayments: what $50,000, $100,000 and $250,000 cost each monthHow much deposit do you need to buy a franchise? Equity, LVR and securityCan you use your super or an SMSF to buy a franchise?Vehicle and equipment finance for franchisees: leases, chattel mortgages and taxPaying yourself from a franchise: owner's wage, break-even and the first yearGrants and support for buying a franchise in Australia: what actually existsFranchises under $10,000: what you can really get for the moneyBest franchises under $100,000: a framework for choosing, not a rankingHow to use the Franchise Disclosure Register before you buyReading franchise reviews, forums and Reddit: how to separate signal from noiseHow to find franchises for sale near you, and vet themHalf-price franchise resales: red flags and the questions to askWhat's negotiable in a franchise agreement (and what usually isn't)Who owns the goodwill in a franchise? Exit value, forced sales and non-renewal40 questions to ask a franchisor before you buyHiring your first staff as a franchisee: awards, wages and complianceFranchising rules by state: what differs across AustraliaAI in franchising: what buyers should ask about tech, data and costsBuying a franchise for a visa or PR in Australia: the 2026 positionFranchising for new migrants: opportunities, protections and the data gapWomen in franchising in Australia: what's measured and what isn'tFranchises for young entrepreneurs: buying a franchise under 30 in AustraliaBest franchises for beginners: how to choose when you've never run a businessFranchising after the ADF: a guide for veteransRegional franchise opportunities in Australia: territories, demand and staffingPros and cons of owning a franchise in Australia: the honest listFranchise vs vending machine business: which is the better small investment?Best franchise categories for 2026: how to tell a fad from durable demandWhen is the best time of year to buy a franchise?