As soon as you show a genuine interest in a franchise, franchisors must tell you about the risks and rewards of franchising by giving you as soon as practicable an Information Statement (in the form set out in the Code). The ACCC has translated this into Hindi, Chinese simplified and Chinese traditional.

The franchisor must also give you the documents listed below at least 14 days before you sign an agreement or make a non-refundable payment. This means you have at least 14 days to read them, you can take more time if you need it.

• The Franchising Code of Conduct is an industry code that all franchisors and franchisees have to follow. The franchisor has to give you a copy of the Code.
• A disclosure document is a document with information about the franchise. It should include information from the franchisor to help the franchisee make a reasonably informed decision about whether to buy the franchise. Certain information must be included even if it might make someone decide not to buy the franchise.
• The franchise agreement (in its final form).

When reading these documents and getting independent advice look out for:

• any supply restrictions on where you can buy essential goods for your franchise, for example, coffee beans for a café franchise.
• the purchase price of the franchise (the franchise fee) and what it costs you to run the franchise (wages, electricity, rent and others).