TrademarksHubThe worldwide trademark network
Feed

Country guide · Updated October 2026

Trademark registration in Australia

Who registers trademarks in Australia, what it costs, how long it takes and what foreign owners need — with links to the official sources and IP firms that can file for you.

Find a trademark firm in Australia

Quick answer

Trademarks in Australia are registered with the IP Australia (IPA); the official standard application using the picklist fee is AUD 250 per class, and third parties can oppose within 2 months from advertisement of acceptance. A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed. Australia can be designated through the Madrid System.

Checked against official sources on 11 October 2026 · see sources

Office
IPA
Official fee
AUD 250 / class
Madrid Protocol
Member since 2001
Opposition
2 months from advertisement of acceptance
Protection
10 years from filing date
Multi-class filing
Allowed

Featured trademark firms in Australia

Your firm here Reach brand owners looking for trademark help in Australia. Get featured →

Featured places go to the firms with the highest monthly bid. Bid for a place →

Official fees in Australia

Official feeAmount
Standard application using the picklist (per class)
online filing		AUD 250
Standard application without the picklist (per class)
online filing, own description of goods/services		AUD 400
Series trade mark application using the picklist (per class)AUD 400
Series trade mark application without the picklist (per class)AUD 550
Postal application (per class)AUD 450
TM Headstart request (per class)
optional pre-application assessment		AUD 200
TM Headstart conversion to standard application (per class)AUD 130

Official office fees only (schedule as of 2026-10). Official fee schedule. Professional fees of a local firm are extra — compare fixed-fee packages.

How to register a trademark in Australia

  1. Search the Australian Trade Mark Search database for earlier identical or similar marks.
  2. Choose between a standard application and the optional TM Headstart pre-assessment service.
  3. File online through IP Australia's online services portal, listing goods/services by class (the picklist lowers the fee).
  4. An IP Australia examiner examines the application, usually within 3 to 4 months of filing.
  5. If accepted, the mark is advertised on the Australian Trade Mark Search and is open to opposition for two months.
  6. If unopposed (or the opposition fails), the mark is registered; the earliest possible registration is about seven months after filing.

Examination, publication and opposition

  • Examination: IP Australia examiners examine the application on absolute and relative grounds, usually within 3 to 4 months of filing.
  • Publication: Acceptance is advertised in the Australian Official Journal of Trade Marks, available through the Australian Trade Mark Search.
  • Opposition period: 2 months from advertisement of acceptance
  • Typical timeline: At least 7 months from filing to registration if there are no objections or oppositions (IP Australia).

Protection, renewal and use

  • Term: 10 years from the filing date, renewable.
  • Late renewal: 6 months after expiry, with an additional late fee
  • Use requirement: a registration can be challenged after 3 years of non-use.
  • Rights system: mixed.

Filing from abroad

  • Local agent: Applicants must have an address for service in Australia or New Zealand; foreign owners normally appoint a local trade marks attorney or agent.
  • Power of attorney: No power of attorney is generally required to be filed.
  • Language: English

Firms on TrademarksHub that cover Australia can act as your local agent — see firms.

Madrid Protocol

Australia is a member of the Madrid System (in force since 2001). You can designate it in an international application filed through your home office, or file a national application directly. A local firm can advise which route is cheaper for your classes and timeline.

Trademark classes

Nice Classification (45 classes); IP Australia publishes a pre-approved goods/services 'picklist' that attracts a lower fee. One application can cover several classes. Not sure which classes you need? See all 45 classes or classes by business type.

How Australia compares

Guides: registering in any country · costs by country · Madrid

Good to know in Australia

  • Using IP Australia's goods/services picklist reduces the application fee to AUD 250 per class (AUD 400 per class without it).
  • TM Headstart lets applicants get an examiner's preliminary assessment before committing to a full application.
  • Ownership of a mark can be based on prior use, so an earlier user may defeat a later application or registration.
  • A registered mark can be removed for non-use if it has not been used for a continuous period of three years.

Questions

How much does it cost to register a trademark in Australia?
IP Australia's official fee for a standard online application is AUD 250 per class using the picklist, or AUD 400 per class with your own description of goods/services.
How long does trademark registration take in Australia?
Examination usually takes 3 to 4 months, and a mark cannot be registered sooner than about seven months after filing because of the two-month opposition period.
Is Australia part of the Madrid Protocol?
Yes. The Madrid Protocol has been in force for Australia since 11 July 2001.
How long does an Australian trademark last?
Registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed for further 10-year periods, with a 6-month late-renewal grace period.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Australia?
Yes, but it must provide an address for service in Australia or New Zealand, usually through a local trade marks attorney.