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As a business owner, if your industry is governed by an industry code of practice, it is essential that you understand and strictly adhere to these guidelines to safeguard your reputation and ensure consumer trust. For a comprehensive overview of regulatory requirements, check out our Industry Regulations Guide.
Industry codes of practice exist across many sectors, setting the benchmark for operational standards and ethical business conduct. It is expected that your business not only complies with these codes and guidelines but also remains current with any amendments as industries evolve.
Read on to learn more about the current mandatory and voluntary industry codes of practice, how they protect both consumers and businesses, and what they mean for you in 2025.
What Is An Industry Code Of Practice?
An industry code of practice (also known simply as an industry code or guideline) sets out the best practices and standards that you are expected to follow when running your business. By adhering to these codes, you help ensure fair dealings with your customers and maintain the overall integrity of your industry.
The purpose of an industry code is to protect the interests of both consumers and businesses. These codes aim to prevent misleading practices and unsafe operations by clearly outlining what is and isn’t acceptable. To learn more about how regulatory standards can impact your business, explore our article on What Regulations Affect Your Corporation.
Industry codes are developed collaboratively by government bodies, industry groups, and public stakeholders, ensuring the guidelines reflect current market realities and consumer expectations. Regular reviews mean that many of these codes are updated periodically to address emerging trends and challenges.
Are Industry Codes Enforced?
Some industry codes are mandatory while others are voluntary. If an industry code is mandatory, every business within that sector must comply or face regulatory enforcement.
Under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), as updated for 2025, the ACCC is responsible for enforcing many of these mandatory codes. Businesses found in breach may face significant infringement notices and fines, with penalties often exceeding $10,500.
When non-compliance occurs, regulators are authorised to take swift action to maintain industry standards, ensuring that high levels of consumer protection and fair trade practices remain the norm across the board.
A few industry codes, however, are voluntary. Examples include the Food and Grocery Code and the Aged Care Voluntary Industry Code. These flexible codes allow businesses to opt in and commit to a higher standard of practice, though only signatories are bound by their provisions.
Examples Of Industry Codes
Let’s break down some popular industry codes of practice and consider what they mean for you and your business in 2025.
Industry: Franchising
Key Elements:
- The current version of the Franchising Code was updated in early 2025 to enhance transparency and fairness in franchise relationships.
- Franchisors are required to provide comprehensive information to prospective franchisees before any agreement is signed.
- Mandatory disclosure of all relevant capital expenditure must be provided in the disclosure document.
This Code is mandatory. As such, if your business is involved in franchising, strict compliance is essential. For further guidance on drafting and reviewing franchise agreements, consider our Franchise Agreement Review service.
Industry: Food and Grocery
Key Elements:
- If you are a supplier or wholesaler to a retailer that has adopted the Code, then the Code automatically applies to you.
- The Code is designed to ensure the health and safety of consumers by enforcing standards in product labelling and quality.
- Major signatories typically include retailers like Aldi, Coles, Woolworths, and Metcash Food & Grocery.
This Code is voluntary, meaning that only businesses that choose to be signatories are required to follow its guidelines.
Industry: Unit Pricing
Key Elements:
- This Code applies to grocery retailers with more than 1000 square metres of floor space, as well as select online retailers, ensuring that a minimum range of food-based grocery items is sold.
- Retailers must offer items from key categories, including bread, breakfast cereal, butter, eggs, flour, fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh milk, meat, rice, sugar, and other packaged foods.
- The purpose of the Code is to enable consumers to easily compare products by ensuring that a unit price is clearly displayed alongside the selling price.
- Unit prices should be communicated in a clear format using appropriate measurements, for example:
- Per 100 millilitres for liquids,
- Per 100 grams for items sold by weight,
- Per metre for products sold by length, or
- Per item for smaller packs, or per 100 items for larger quantities.
For further guidance on unit pricing requirements, visit the ACCC Unit Pricing Code page.
This Code is mandatory, so ensuring full compliance is crucial for all qualifying retailers.
Industry: Banking
Key Elements:
- The Banking Code aims to instil consumer trust by ensuring banks operate with honesty, integrity, and accountability.
- It mandates that banks provide high-quality services and implement responsible lending practices, while also safeguarding consumer privacy.
- Since early 2025, adherence to this Code has been mandatory for all banks operating in Australia.
For more details, see the Australian Banking Association’s booklet (while the booklet dates from 2021, many of its core principles remain relevant in 2025).
Key Elements:
- If you are a farmer growing fruit or vegetables for sale through an agent or merchant, a written Horticulture Produce Agreement is mandatory.
- Trading horticulture produce without such an agreement is not permitted.
- This Code covers unprocessed produce such as fruits, vegetables (including mushrooms and edible fungi), nuts, herbs, and other edible plants, but does not extend to nursery products.
- All parties are expected to act in good faith in their trading practices.
- The Code does not apply to businesses or individuals selling horticulture produce directly to consumers without an intermediary.
For more information on this Code, see the ACCC Horticulture Code page.
This Code is mandatory and allows the ACCC to enforce penalties and issue infringement notices for breaches.
Not Mentioned Above?
The examples above highlight some of the key industry codes that may apply to your business. However, many sectors have additional codes and guidelines in place, so it’s important to verify any specific requirements relevant to your niche.
For further insights on industry-specific legal obligations, you may want to explore our comprehensive resources such as the Business Structure Guide and our detailed article on compliance and consumer protection.
The Takeaway…?
Understanding which industry codes apply to your business is imperative to maintaining compliance and protecting your brand. By staying informed and up-to-date with the standards set out in these codes, you can avoid costly penalties and foster consumer confidence.
Failing to comply with industry codes not only risks regulatory sanctions but can also tarnish your reputation and hinder your business’s continued success. Always make it a priority to review any updates and seek professional advice if you’re unsure about your obligations.
In 2025, proactive compliance is more critical than ever. Regularly consulting with legal experts—like our dedicated team at Sprintlaw—can help you navigate these complex requirements. Whether you need assistance understanding detailed guidelines or require help with drafting tailored business agreements, our extensive resources and services are here to support you every step of the way.
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