At the end of the day, ATOs are offering a service be it Integrated or Modular.
No one is compelled to go down the Integrated route. It is more expensive, probably quicker.
You sign a contract, hand over the loot in stages, front end loaded to help with their cash flow. No one compels you to sign it. Two willing parties who do so due to the benefits derived by doing so.
The magic words for the ‘buyer’ are DUE DILIGENCE and CAVEAT EMPTOR.
Do not sign unless you wish to be legally bound.
Some refer to the larger schools as “puppy farms”; some say you are “just a number”; the “sausage factory” turning out the product.
If everything stays on track, everyone is happy. It can turn sour when delays occur and targets are not met for what ever reason.
As for M’learned friends, this might well turn out to be a ‘target rich environment’