Government Response to the Fairness in Franchising Report

The Parliamentary Joint Committee’s Fairness in Franchising report revealed a range of problems in the franchising sector. Franchising regulation needs reform to restore confidence in the sector.

In response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee’s report, the Australian Government will:

• double the penalties that apply for breaches of the Franchising Code
• strengthen dispute resolution options by introducing conciliation and voluntary binding arbitration
• improve disclosure relating to supply arrangements, marketing funds, exit arrangements and significant capital expenditure
• introduce a public register of franchisors to increase transparency in the sector
• develop a franchising website to make it easier for both franchisors and franchisees to access information and support
• prohibit franchisors unilaterally imposing significant capital expenditure on franchisees during the term of an agreement

An inter-agency Franchising Taskforce consulted with the franchising sector on the Parliamentary Joint Committee’s report. See the Taskforce’s Issues Paper, Consultation Paper and submissions on our Consultation hub.

Read more

• Read the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services’ Fairness in Franchising report

Contact us

Email SmallBusinessFranchising@industry.gov.au