During 2025–26, IP Australia delivered strong performance across the intellectual property (IP) rights system while responding to record demand in applications.
We processed 98,187 trade mark applications and 10,366 design applications, while continuing to meet our key service commitments across patents, trade marks, designs and plant breeder's rights.
Our investments in digital services, technology and customer experience supported improvements in how customers access and use the IP system. This included:
- the launch of our new Qualified Persons portal, creating a more streamlined way to manage technical evidence for plant breeder's rights applications and examinations
- the redesign of our homepage and improved website navigation to make information easier to access
- the upgrade of our contact centre systems to provide customers with more efficient support at first contact.
Throughout the year we built awareness, capability and confidence in the IP system through targeted education, partnerships and outreach including:
- Our HerIP initiative, which reached more than 600 women through partnerships and awareness activities designed to help more women understand and engage with IP.
- working with the Indigenous Knowledge Panel and First Nations communities to improve access to and confidence in the IP system for First Nations businesses progressing our First Nations Strategy 2025–2030.
- piloting an AI-powered service through IP First Response to help small businesses, creators and innovators better understand IP protection and enforcement issues.
We strengthened the capability and governance needed to adopt emerging technologies responsibly and support a world-leading IP system. This included launching our strategic position on AI to support the responsible, innovative and accountable use of AI across our services.
Read the full Annual Report 2025–26.