ACCC New Small Businesses Resources

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has unveiled a new online resource hub to better support small businesses and franchisees across Australia. The updated business page is designed to help small business owners understand their rights and responsibilities when engaging with customers, suppliers, and competitors.

A key feature of the page is the Small Business Toolkit, which offers guidance on trading fairly and complying with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and Australian Consumer Law. The ACCC continues to protect small businesses by investigating anti-competitive behaviour and taking enforcement action when the law is breached.

Recent regulatory changes are also highlighted, including updates to key industry codes:

• The Food and Grocery Code of Conduct became mandatory on 1 April 2025.

• Changes to the Franchising Code of Conduct also began on 1 April 2025, with a transition period running through 31 October 2025.

The resource hub covers a wide range of essential topics:

• Card surcharge rules

• Refund, repair, and replacement obligations

• Fair trading and competition practices

• Advertising, pricing, and consumer rights

Additionally, the ACCC’s supermarkets inquiry is ongoing, examining pricing strategies and supply chain relationships within the grocery sector.

Whether you’re navigating new code changes or looking to ensure compliance with consumer law, the ACCC’s updated resources are a valuable tool for running a fair and successful small business in Australia.