Outcome
Increased innovation, investment and trade in Australia, and by Australians overseas, through the administration of the registrable intellectual property rights system, promoting public awareness and industry engagement, and advising government.
Purpose
Enabling Australians to benefit from great ideas by providing a world-leading IP system.Strategic objectives
1. Impact
1.1 Increase trust and confidence by maintaining a high-quality, customer-centric, efficient IP rights system.
We strive to maintain a world-leading, high-quality IP system that instils trust and confidence.
We continually improve our processes to reduce costs and regulatory burden for our customers to make it easy for them to use our services.
1.2 Increase awareness of the IP system.
We produce high-quality, accessible and dynamic public education and engagement resources and initiatives to make it easy for individuals and small business owners to access and understand how IP rights can benefit them.
1.3 Increase our reputation, influence and contribution to the IP eco-system.
We are a steward of the Australian IP system, known for our strong domestic and international relationships, and our focus on data-driven decision making.
We continue to collaborate across government to provide advice, support growth, and ensure fit-for-purpose trade agreements.
We influence international IP frameworks and global trading partners to create consistency and confidence for Australians entering international markets and for international exporters who bring innovative products and services to Australian consumers.
2. Customer
2.1 Increase access to and benefits from IP rights ownership.
We make it easy to access IP rights through high-quality digital services and the registration of qualified and ethical IP attorneys.
Our robust IP rights system supports owners to trade with confidence in domestic and international markets.
2.2 Increase customer experience excellence in the delivery of IP rights services.
We help our customers understand how to submit compelling applications and provide them with transparent and considered responses on examination outcomes.
We provide innovative, seamless and convenient services through channels that are modern, accessible, secure and meet the diverse needs of our customers.
3. Capability
3.1 Create and continually improve capabilities that meet the current and future needs of the IP rights system.
We understand the capabilities required to maintain a high-quality IP system and to meet evolving customers’ and stakeholders’ needs through genuine engagement and consultation.
We create value for our customers and stakeholders by investing in and leveraging the capabilities of our people, culture, technology, data, processes and policies.
3.2 Build a workplace culture that is customer centric, empowered, inclusive and risk-engaging.
Our organisational culture and staff experience empowers us to reduce threats and seize opportunities by providing the right tools and support, promoting a sense of belonging, and encouraging us to engage with risk.
4. Innovation
4.1 Increase innovation and adaptiveness in our stewardship of the IP rights system.
We promote and celebrate innovation, and we are willing to try, fail fast and apply the learnings.
We integrate innovative practices through our leadership, training and everyday work and look for opportunities to innovate through small and large changes.
4.2 Create innovative contemporary digital and data driven customer services and staff experiences.
We provide excellent customer and staff experiences through contemporary digital solutions and by using emerging technologies that automate and elevate our services.
We use data insights to drive continuous improvement in decision-making and service delivery.
Programs
1. IP rights administration and professional registration
Key activities
- Administer patents, trade marks, design rights and plant breeder's rights legislation.
- Administer the Trans-Tasman IP Attorney regime for Australian and New Zealand patent attorneys and Australian trade mark attorneys.
Performance measures
- IP Australia's timeliness, quality, satisfaction and availability commitments are met.
- Process trans-Tasman attorney registration applications within 7 working days from the date that the application complies with registration requirements.
2. Education and awareness
Key activities
- Deliver proactive outreach programs that inform and educate Australian businesses with emphasis on small and medium enterprises.
- Build and leverage partnerships with government, industry partners and universities to promote the IP system and maximise impact.
Performance measures
- Improved awareness of the IP rights system.
3. Advice to government and international engagement
Key activities
- Provide high quality advice to the government on the development of IP policy and legislation.
- Engage internationally, working with bodies such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and other IP offices to influence IP policy and practice.
Performance measures
- Provision of high-quality advice to the Australian Government on policy, legislation, ministerial correspondence and briefs.
Significant initiatives
- Progress arrangements to support the implementation of a system for registering geographical indications under the Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement to strengthen protection of regional products and unlock opportunities for Australian producers.
- Support the government’s productivity agenda for regulatory reform, to ease unnecessary compliance burdens on business and free up their time for productive and innovative activities.
- Continue to innovate with AI and Automated Decision Making (ADM) tools consistent with our risk appetite settings and in accordance with government requirements for their responsible use, enhancing our efficient and effective administration of the IP system.
- Implement our new ICT Strategy 2026–2030 to ensure that technology enables the delivery of our strategic objectives.
- Continue to explore education and outreach initiatives to support small and medium enterprises, including through the IP First Response pilot.
- Advance the First Nations Strategy to enhance partnerships, improve access to the IP system, and support the economic empowerment of First Nations peoples.
- Embed our Capability Framework, encouraging and supporting our staff to adopt an innovative learning mindset – embracing experimentation, managing risk, and adapting to change and technology.
- Mature our approach to preventing, detecting and disrupting malicious and scam activities impacting users of the IP system, enhancing confidence in the system.