06/08/2026
🚨 Franchisors, your Disclosure Document is calling and it wants an update.
Every year, franchisors need to update their Disclosure Document within 4 months of the start of their financial year. For most, that's a hard deadline of 31 October 2026.
While you're at it, here's your compliance checklist:
✅ Return on Investment: Franchisees now need a genuine, reasonable shot at recouping their investment
✅ Significant Capital Expenditure: Rationale, amount, timing, risks and benefits must all be disclosed
✅ Specific Purpose Funds: Contributions and spending need to be transparent and reported
✅ Franchise Disclosure Register: Must be updated by 14 November 2026 (penalties up to $198,000 for missing it)
And don't stop there. While your Disclosure Document is open, it's worth revisiting your:
📌 Privacy policies (especially if you're using AI or automation)
📌 Consumer-facing terms, pricing and marketing (Unfair Trading Practice reforms land 1 July 2027)
📌 Website terms (ACL penalties doubled in March)
📌 Franchise agreement (does it still match how your system actually runs?)
📌 AML/CTF obligations (the net has widened — are you caught?)
Getting this wrong doesn't just cost money. It costs time, stress and reputation, and regulators are watching this space closely.
The good news? You don't have to do this alone.
📞 Get in touch with BDC Law today and let's get your documents sorted before the deadlines catch up with you.
Bruce McFarlane
