Ad rules
What we check before an ad goes live, and what gets one declined.
Last updated 13 November 2026
How review works
Step 1
You submit your ad
Check it against the rules below first. The form warns you about common problems as you type.
Step 2
A person checks it
Every ad is reviewed before it goes live. Paid plans are reviewed once they're paid for.
Step 3
It goes live, or we tell you what to fix
If it's declined, your account page shows which rules it broke. Fix it and resubmit. Paid ads are refunded less a $10 review fee.
The rules
An ad that breaks any of these is declined, or taken down if it's already live.
Rule 1: It must be genuine and not misleading
Only advertise a real business, franchise, broker service or idea that you're entitled to advertise. Don't overstate figures, hide important problems or pretend to be someone else.
Applies to: Every ad
Rule 2: Key details must be complete and add up
Give the location, industry, price (or price on application) and a proper description. Revenue, profit and rent should be realistic and consistent with each other.
Applies to: Business listings, Franchises
Rule 3: No bait pricing
Show the real asking price or investment range. A price like $1 to get attention, or a price you won't accept, will be declined.
Applies to: Business listings, Franchises
Rule 4: No illegal or restricted businesses
No illegal goods or services, unlicensed gambling, illegal tobacco or vapes, pyramid schemes or multi-level marketing recruitment. Licensed businesses must hold the licences they need.
Applies to: Every ad
Rule 5: No offers of investment to the public
Don't offer shares, equity, profit-shares or promised returns to the public, or ask people to invest. Selling a whole business, or a part of it to one buyer, is fine.
Applies to: Every ad
Rule 6: No phone numbers, emails or links in the ad text
Buyers contact you through the enquiry form, and replies come straight to you. Keep contact details out of the title, description, photos and video.
Applies to: Business listings, Pitches
Rule 7: Photos and videos must show the real thing
Use your own photos and video of the actual business or idea. No other people's watermarks, no stock images passed off as yours, and nothing offensive.
Applies to: Business listings, Franchises, Pitches
Rule 8: Don't copy other ads
Write your own words and use your own photos. Copying another ad's text or images will be declined.
Applies to: Every ad
Rule 9: One ad per business
Don't list the same business, franchise or idea more than once. Edit your existing ad instead.
Applies to: Every ad
Rule 10: Brokers must be licensed and authorised
If you're selling a business for someone else, you need the licence your state requires and the owner's permission to advertise it.
Applies to: Business listings, Broker profiles
Rule 11: Franchise ads come from the franchisor
Only the franchisor, or someone they've authorised in writing, can advertise a new franchise opportunity.
Applies to: Franchises
Rule 12: No offensive or discriminatory content
No language or images that are offensive, harassing or discriminate against people, including in who you'll sell to or work with.
Applies to: Every ad
Extra rules for pitches
Pitches are for new business ideas looking for co-founders, partners, mentors, customers or feedback. On top of the rules above that apply to every ad (including rules 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12), a pitch must follow these:
Rule 13: A pitch must be about a business idea
Pitches are for new business ideas looking for co-founders, partners, mentors, customers or feedback. Not for selling a product, recruiting into a scheme or advertising an existing business.
Applies to: Pitches
Rule 14: The pitch video must explain the idea
The video should show you explaining the idea clearly, with sound and picture that work. Don't use music, footage or logos you don't have the rights to.
Applies to: Pitches
Why pitches can't ask for investment: offering shares or returns to the public is regulated in Australia, and NextOwner isn't a licensed crowd-sourced funding platform. If someone you meet through a pitch wants to invest, get legal and financial advice first.
Seen an ad that breaks the rules?
Press Report this ad at the bottom of the ad. We check every report. For anything else, contact us.
These rules sit alongside our terms of use and refund policy.