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.

We're working hard to process your trade mark requests. Check our monthly update to find out what we're currently working on.

We're busy processing applications for both Australian and international trade marks.

Application type  We're currently examining applications filed in
Domestic January 2024
International (other) January 2024
International (Madrid) February 2024
Expedited (requested) February 2024
Converted TM Headstart February 2024

 

We're actively processing pre-application (TM Headstart) service requests.

Type  Current approximate response time 
TM Headstart request 2.8 business days

 

We're also working on requests related to trade mark oppositions and hearings.

Type  Current approximate response time
Process of statement of grounds and particulars (SGP) 2 weeks from filing
Decision without a hearing 2 months from request
Allocation of written submission hearing date 10 months from request
Allocation of oral hearing date 10 months from request
Hearing decision issued 3 months from hearing

 

These response times are current as of 2 January 2024. 

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.

We're actively processing your patent application and expect to update the turn around time monthly. Here's what we're currently working on.

Patent subject area  Current response time We're currently examining applications filed in
CHEM 1 - Biotechnology 20 months June 2022
CHEM 2 - Chemical Compounds 12 months February 2022
CHEM 3 - Bio-therapeutics 25 months January 2022
CHEM 4 - Polymers and Applied Chemistry 10 months April 2023
CHEM 5 - Pharmaceuticals 16 months October 2022
ELEC 1 - Physics 10 months April 2023
ELEC 2 - Electronics and Communications 9 months May 2023
ELEC 3 - Computing 10 months April 2023
ELEC 4 - Data Processing and Measurements
10 months April 2023
MECH 1 - Mechanical Engineering 13 months January 2023
MECH 2 - Construction and Mining 14 months December 2022
MECH 3 - Process Engineering 11 months March 2023
MECH 4 - Medical Devices 11 months March 2023
MECH 5 - Packaging and Appliances 12 months February 2023


These response times are current as of 4 March 2024. We update this information monthly.

Design right service levels

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

  • Issue 85% of formalities reports on new applications 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.

Related content

Our customer promise

As part of our commitment to creating a world-leading IP system, customers are the core of everything we do. Our customer service charter outlines our customer commitment.

Contact us

We're here to help. If you have questions, comments, feedback or complaints, you can get in touch with us in a way that suits you.  

Enforce Renew

Manage my IP

Once you've registered your IP (intellectual property), it's up to you to manage and maintain it.