FOR IP PROFESSIONALS

Qualified people

A qualified person (QP) is an expert in a particular plant group, accredited by us to certify applications for plant breeder's rights (PBR). QPs oversee the comparative trial and help you to provide evidence that a variety is distinct, uniform and stable.

Categories of QP - consultant and non-consultant

There are two categories of QP, consultant and non-consultant. A list of QP's are available in the Plant Varieties Journal.

Consultant QPs

Consultant QPs are accredited to act as consultants to PBR applicants.

QPs may consult on choice of comparative varieties, experimental design, management regime, data collection, statistical analysis, photography and preparation of the description of the variety.

The applicant retains the QP on a mutually agreed basis and pays the QP for services rendered.

Non-consultant QPs

Non-consultant QPs are accredited to certify applications for which they are the breeder, owner or authorised agent or an employee of the breeder, owner or authorised agent.

QPs' involvement in applications

QPs help guarantee that applications for PBR are technically rigorous. They complement our examiners in ensuring that PBR grants are legally sustainable in the event of infringement and subsequent litigation.

Nominating a QP

All applications for PBR must nominate a QP. This is done using a QP1 Nomination of a Qualified Person form. This form guides applicants and their QPs in determining what functions the QP will play in the preparation of the application.

When you are notified that your nomination of a consultant QP is acceptable, you should again consult the QP when planning the rest of your application for PBR.

QPs - certify applications

The nominated QP must certify each application by completing the QP2 Certification by the Qualified Person form. This form outlines which functions the QP undertook or supervised in relation to the application.

Becoming a QP

If you wish to become a QP, you should contact us in writing, providing the following:

full contact details
current employment details
qualifications
relevant experience
species or group of species for which accreditation is sought
the geographical area in which you are able to act as a QP
three referees' contact details
whether consultant or non-consultant status is being sought
the accreditation fee

QP accreditation is ascribed by us to individuals. It is not transferable to other people within a company or institution.

The QP accreditation process includes workshops covering the principles, practice and developments of the PBR application process. These workshops are advertised in the Plant Varieties Journal.

For more information, read the handout from the qualified persons workshop 2011 PDF [2356KB]