Country Guide
Trade marks in Australia
Asia-PacificUpdated 16 Feb 2026

Trade mark registration in Australia

Practical, business-first guidance — fast to scan, easy to act on.

Start trade mark checkGet a filing quote

Snapshot

Jump to FAQs
Office
IP Australia
Exam + register
Timeline
Exam ~3–4 months
Registration ≥7.5 months
Opposition
2 months
From acceptance published
Costs
$250/class
$400/class (custom) · renewal $400/class

Australia trade mark registration overview

Registering a trade mark in Australia protects your brand name, logo and other identifiers for the goods and services you sell. Applications are filed with IP Australia and are drafted per class under the Nice Classification.

Key topics: examination reports, acceptance/publication, opposition, class coverage, renewals and non-use rules.

Registration process

1

Filing

Submit your application to IP Australia

2

Examination

IP Australia reviews your mark (~3–4 months)

3

Acceptance

Mark accepted and published for opposition

4

Opposition

2-month window for third-party objections

5

Registration

Trade mark registered (≥7.5 months from filing)

Choose your path

Start here if you want the fast, practical answer.

Quick context: These FAQs cover the practical questions people ask most about Australian trade marks — searching, picklist vs custom specs, examination reports, opposition timing, fees, renewals and non-use.

FAQs

Short answers, then you act.

Getting started
Search, opposition and fees.
How do I search before filing in Australia?
Search the Australian Trade Mark Search for exact matches and close variants (spelling, sound, meaning). Also check the market (web, socials, marketplaces) for real-world conflict risk.
What are the official filing and renewal fees?
Standard online filing is $250 per class using the picklist (and $400 per class without the picklist). Renewal is $400 per class via online services (other payment methods cost more), and late renewal adds $100 per month (or part month) during the 6-month grace period.
How long does it take?
You'll usually receive an examination outcome before registration. Registration cannot occur until at least 7.5 months after the priority date (usually filing date). Timelines vary with objections and opposition.
What is the opposition period in Australia?
A notice of intention to oppose must be filed within 2 months from the day acceptance is published. (Extensions are possible but not automatic.)
Filing routes
National vs Madrid, priority, and objections.
Madrid vs Australian national filing: which is better?
Madrid can reduce admin if you're covering multiple countries. If Australia is the key market, a direct Australian filing can be simpler and gives clearer control over your goods/services wording.
Can I claim priority?
Usually yes — typically within 6 months of the earlier filing. Make sure the mark and goods/services line up and have the documents ready.
If IP Australia objects, how long do I have to fix it?
If a report issues, you generally have a prescribed period to get the application accepted. Deadlines can be extended in some cases, but don't rely on it — treat the first report as the start of the clock.
After you file
Renewal, non-use, and enforcement.
Renewals: what do I need to do?
Australian trade marks last 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely in 10-year blocks. There's a 6-month grace period after the due date, with a $100/month late fee.
Non-use removal: when does it become a risk?
Non-use removal commonly focuses on a continuous 3-year non-use period (ending one month before the non-use application). Older registrations can have different timing rules. Keep proof of use early and continuously.
If someone copies me, what's the practical first move?
Start with evidence, then check whether they are pending/accepted/registered. Oppose if within the acceptance publication window; otherwise consider invalidity or non-use removal and use platform takedown options.
Get a filing quoteTalk to an advisor
Next step
If you're unsure which option fits, start with a clearance search and we'll recommend the right filing approach (picklist vs custom, classes, and risk).

Need a quick answer?

Tell us your mark + classes. We'll point you to the right path.

Ask a trade mark questionRequest a clearance search

This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.