Franchise Law Briefing

10 June 2026

• ACCC – Unfair Business Practices Guidance
  10 June 2026 • www.accc.gov.au (Australia)
  The ACCC sets out the Australian Consumer Law protections against unfair business conduct, which are directly relevant to how franchisors deal with franchisees and how franchise businesses interact with consumers.

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• ACCC Commences Federal Court Proceedings Against Microsoft for Misleading Conduct
  10 June 2026 • www.accc.gov.au (Australia)
  The ACCC has taken Microsoft to the Federal Court for allegedly misleading millions of Australian consumers over Microsoft 365 subscriptions, showing the regulator is actively enforcing the Australian Consumer Law.

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• Barbeques Galore to Close – Up to 500 Jobs Lost
  9 June 2026 • The Age – Business (Australia)
  The collapse of a rescue deal for Barbeques Galore means the chain will close and up to 500 jobs will be lost, underscoring the financial pressures facing retail franchise and chain business models.

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• Tax Fraud Warning for SMEs as EOFY Approaches
  10 June 2026 • Inside Small Business (Australia)
  Legal experts are warning small businesses, including franchisees, not to underreport sales during the end-of-financial-year period, with tax fraud reports expected to spike.

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• SME Spending Slows as Cost Pressures Intensify
  10 June 2026 • Inside Small Business (Australia)
  Data shows SME growth has eased through the quarter as cost-of-living and operational pressures build, pointing to a tighter trading environment for franchise operators.

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• Chemist Warehouse Owner Eyes $14 Billion Boots UK Acquisition
  10 June 2026 • The Age – Business (Australia)
  Sigma Healthcare/Chemist Warehouse is looking at a $14 billion acquisition of UK pharmacy chain Boots, a deal that would fall under the ACCC’s new mandatory merger notification regime and could reshape pharmacy franchising internationally.

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