You need to file your Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application within 12 months of filing your provisional or overseas patent application.
Before you apply
To prepare your application, you will need to:
- have your provisional application or overseas patent application
- know the patent specification that you are applying for.
How to apply
There are three ways to file a PCT application. You can:
- file using WIPO's ePCT system
- file using our online services
- post a paper application to us.
From 1 July 2021, there will be changes to how you can file for international patents with us. Our online services will no longer support PCT applications from 30 June 2021. This means that applications must be filed through WIPO's ePCT system from 1 July 2021. We will continue to support payments for international and ePCT transactions in online services.
If you would like to learn more about filing PCT applications through ePCT, please see our guide to filing an international application.
Please note that you will need to file your PCT application with a recognised Receiving Office. The Receiving Office will check and process your application according to the PCT and regulations. We are the Receiving Office for Australian applicants. To choose Australia as a Receiving Office, at least one applicant for the invention must be a resident of Australia.
Need help?
To learn how to register for WIPO's ePCT system and get started, please see WIPO's Applicant Guide.