6 Laws Changing for Australian Business Owners in 2026 — What Franchise Buyers Need to Know Before July

Most people researching a kids franchise opportunity spend weeks comparing fee structures and territory sizes.

Very few stop to ask: what’s about to change in Australian business law — and is the franchise I’m buying ready for it?

Six significant regulatory changes are rolling out across 2026. Some kick in July 1. Others land in October and December.

Every single one affects how much it costs to run a small business in this country — and every franchise buyer should understand them before they sign anything.

This post is based on a recent Courtside Conversations episode by Little Boomers Basketball founder, Emile Koorey.

Watch the Full Episode:

What Most Business Owners Are Focused On

They are watching their revenue.
Dialling in their marketing.
Managing their team.

That is fair. But most are not watching the regulatory landscape carefully enough — and several changes coming in the next six months are quietly going to eat into profits for any business that is not prepared.

Here is exactly what is changing, and what it means if you are thinking about owning a franchise.

Change One: Payday Super Kicks In July 1

Right now, Australian business owners pay superannuation at the end of each quarter. From July 1, 2026, that changes entirely.

Under Payday Super, every time you process a payroll, super must be paid at the same time. Weekly payroll? Weekly super. Fortnightly payroll? Fortnightly super. The money that used to sit in your account for up to three months now has to go out the door with every single pay run.

“You need to start budgeting for Payday Super happening July 1, 2026.” — Emile Koorey

The practical impact is cash flow. For any business — franchise or otherwise — that collects revenue monthly, the timing mismatch between income in and super out can create real pressure if you have not planned for it. If you are considering a franchise right now, this is one of the first conversations to have with your accountant.

Change Two: The Minimum Wage Is Going Up

From July 1, the national minimum wage moves from $24.95 to approximately $25.95 per hour — a 3 to 4% increase as announced by the Fair Work Commission.

On its own, that is manageable. But layered on top of Payday Super, it compounds. Both changes are landing in the same part of your business at the same time: labour costs. For any franchise owner running coaches and part-time staff, that is real money leaving every week from day one.

The businesses that feel this least are the ones who adjusted their pricing before July — not after.

Change Three: Card Surcharges Are Being Banned From October 1

From October 1, 2026, Australian businesses will no longer be allowed to pass merchant fees onto customers via a surcharge on credit or debit card transactions.

That 1 to 2% surcharge you see at the coffee shop, the booking platform, the checkout screen? Banned. Businesses must either absorb that fee themselves or build it into their pricing.

“This is very big. I think all businesses in Australia need to really lift up their prices to take into account this merchant fee.” — Emile Koorey

For Little Boomers Basketball, a 2% merchant fee has historically been charged at the point of online booking. The network has already increased its pricing across the board to absorb this change ahead of October. Franchisees entering now are stepping into a model that has already been adjusted — not one that still needs to be.

Change Four: Google Review Rules Have Changed

This one catches a lot of local business owners by surprise.

Google updated its review collection policy earlier this year. You are no longer allowed to ask customers for a review while they are on-site or at your venue. You are also not allowed to pay staff or give them a bonus for collecting reviews. Doing either puts those reviews at risk of being removed entirely from your Google My Business profile.

For a franchise owner whose local visibility depends on ranking in Google Maps, losing a bank of hard-earned reviews is a serious setback.

The compliant approach is simple: all review requests must happen after the customer has left your premises, via an automated follow-up message or email. Build that system in from the start.

Change Five: The Privacy Act Now Applies to Small Businesses

Previously, businesses under $3 million in turnover were exempt from the Privacy Act. That exemption is going.

If your business collects any customer data — names, emails, card details, phone numbers — you must update your privacy policy to comply with the new regulations before December 10, 2026.

Most well-run franchise systems will have a templated policy ready. But if you are considering a franchise, it is worth asking the question directly: has head office already updated this across the network?

Change Six: Capital Gains Tax Is Changing

This is the one that directly affects the long-term value of owning a franchise — and the one that matters most if you are thinking about your five-year plan.

When you sell a business in Australia, you pay capital gains tax on the profit. The rules are changing, and you will pay more on exit than you would have under the previous structure.

“One of our franchises came in five years ago, purchased for $30,000, and sold it for $120,000. That is value they added over those five years.” — Emile Koorey

Under the new CGT rules, you would keep less of that gain. Understanding the exit before you sign — not three years in — is the difference between a financial plan that works and one that surprises you on the way out.

Emile’s advice is clear: speak to your accountant before signing anything, and factor in CGT, assignment fees, and training fees as part of your exit model from day one — you’ll understand why when you read Can You Really Sell Your Franchise?

What This Means If You Are Considering a Little Boomers Basketball Franchise

Here is the thing most people do not think about when researching a franchise: these changes do not disappear because you bought into a system. They apply to every business in Australia, full stop.

What changes is whether you are navigating them alone.

Little Boomers Basketball has already increased its pricing across the network to account for Payday Super, the wage rise, and the merchant fee ban. Franchisees entering now are not walking into a model that needs adjusting — they are walking into one that has already been adjusted.

That is what a well-run franchisor does. It watches the regulatory environment, adapts before the deadline, and protects the people running the business on the ground.

For anyone who has ever felt like they were left to figure things out alone in a corporate role, that kind of proactive support is exactly what changes the experience of owning a franchise when you read Franchise Numbers for Dummies (No Business Degree Required).

Emile covers topics like this every week on his YouTube channel — because he believes informed franchisees build stronger businesses, and stronger businesses build a stronger network.

Common Mistakes People Make

“Not Factoring Payday Super Into Your Cash Flow”

From July 1, super must be paid every time you run payroll, not quarterly. Many business owners underestimate how this affects cash flow and don’t adjust their forecasts before buying a franchise.

“Thinking the Minimum Wage Increase Is Too Small to Matter”

A small wage increase can have a much bigger impact when combined with higher super contributions. Looking at these changes together gives you a more accurate picture of your labour costs.

“Continuing to Apply Card Surcharges After October 1”

The rules around card surcharges are changing. Failing to update your payment process could leave your business non-compliant.

“Ignoring the New Privacy Law Requirements”

Privacy legislation is changing, and businesses need to ensure their policies and processes are up to date. Waiting until the deadline can create unnecessary compliance risks.

“Assuming Google Reviews Will Always Stay Online”

Many businesses ask customers to leave reviews while connected to the same on-site Wi-Fi. Google may remove these reviews if they appear inauthentic, so it’s important to understand best practice before asking.

“Planning Your Exit Without Understanding Capital Gains Tax”

Selling a franchise isn’t just about finding a buyer. Understanding how capital gains tax could affect your final return is an important part of planning from day one.

“Waiting Until After Signing to Speak to an Accountant”

Many financial questions are easier to answer before you commit. Speaking with your accountant early can help you understand the real costs, tax implications, and long-term profitability of the business.

“Assuming the Franchisor Has Handled Every Compliance Requirement”

A good franchisor provides support, but franchisees still have responsibilities. Ask what systems are in place and what compliance obligations remain yours to manage.

Key Takeaways

• Payday Super begins July 1: super must now be paid every payroll cycle, not at the end of the quarter
• Minimum wage is rising to approximately $25.95 per hour from July 1 — budget for it before then
• Card surcharges on credit and debit cards are banned from October 1 — review your pricing structure now
• Google review requests on-site are against policy — build a compliant post-visit follow-up instead
• All businesses collecting customer data must update their privacy policy before December 10, 2026
• Capital gains tax changes mean you will pay more when you sell — factor this into your plan from day one
• A franchise system that has already adapted its pricing for these changes offers real, practical protection
• Speaking to an accountant before signing any franchise agreement is not optional — it is essential

FAQ: Common Questions People Ask

Do these changes apply to franchise owners, or just independent businesses?

They apply to every business in Australia — franchise or not. The difference is whether your franchisor has already done the work to adapt the model ahead of time.

Ask any franchisor you are considering: have you adjusted pricing and systems for the July 1 changes?

Little Boomers Basketball has already increased prices — does that mean I would be charging parents more?

Yes — but that is exactly the point. Prices were adjusted across the network ahead of these changes to protect franchisee margins.

Entering after that adjustment means you are not the one wearing the cost difference while trying to get off the ground.

How do I make sure my cash flow can handle Payday Super?

Start with your accountant before you sign anything. Model your weekly and fortnightly payroll outgoings with super included from day one. If you are considering a Little Boomers Basketball franchise, you can also raise this directly on your Discovery Call — the support team can walk you through what it looks like in practice.

If capital gains tax is changing, is now a bad time to buy a franchise?

The opposite argument can actually be made. Building equity now — while rules are still transitioning — means you have time to plan your exit well. The long-term value of a franchise territory does not disappear because of a tax change. It just means planning ahead with the right advice, rather than being caught off guard at the end.

How do I know if the franchisor I am considering has actually prepared for these changes?

Ask directly. A franchisor worth considering should be able to tell you specifically what they have changed — pricing, payroll systems, compliance policies — ahead of each deadline. Vague reassurances are not enough. Ask for the specifics.

Keen to Learn More?

If you want to understand how a Little Boomers Basketball franchise is structured — including what head office manages versus what you manage, and how the network handles regulatory changes like these — the franchise overview page is the right place to start.

Emile also shares practical business insights every week on his YouTube channel, covering everything from financial performance to what to look for in a franchisor before you commit to anything.

If this post raised questions about how these changes would affect your own plans — that is exactly the kind of thing worth working through before you sign, not after.

If you want to understand exactly what a Little Boomers Basketball franchise would look like in your hands — including the numbers, the timing, and how the model holds up against changes like these — book a free Discovery Call with Emile.

The call is free, there is no pressure, and it is just a conversation to find out if this fits your life.