Timeliness

We're committed to creating an effective, efficient and accessible intellectual property (IP) system. Our service levels are guided by our customer commitments, so you know when to expect your request to be processed.  

Trade mark service levels

As a part of our commitment to customer service, we'll:

  • Issue 85% of first reports on new applications in 13 weeks and 95% in 18 weeks
  • Complete 95% of Headstart Part 1 assessments in 5 days and 97% in 7 days
  • Respond to correspondence relating to your application within 4 weeks
  • Issue a decision following a hearing within 3 months.

Patents service levels

As a part of our commitment to customer service, we'll aim to:

  • Issue a first report for a standard patent within 12 months
  • Issue a first report for an expedited patent examination within 8 weeks
  • Respond to correspondence relating to your application within 20 working days
  • Issue a decision following a hearing within 3 months
  • Issue 85% of international search reports (for one invention) in 10 weeks and 95% (for all search requests) in 12 weeks
  • Issue 85% of international-type search reports (for one invention where the original request is compliant) in 6 weeks and 95% (for all search requests from receiving a compliant request) in 8 weeks.

Design right service levels

As a part of our commitment to customer service, we'll:

  • Issue 85% of first reports from registration requests in 8 weeks and 95% in 9 weeks
  • Issue 85% of first reports from examination requests in 13 weeks and 95% in 16 weeks.

Plant breeder's right service levels

As a part of our commitment to customer service, we'll:

  • Issue 85% of initial examination reports in 8 weeks
  • Issue 85% of further examination reports in 4 weeks.