Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities in 2025 submitted by IP Australia

Please provide links to your website where the requested information can be found in English, French, or Spanish.  Alternately, you may provide text responses instead of URLs if desired.  If the information is not available on your website in an ATR language, then please provide text.

URLs in responses should meet the following requirements:

  • Link to pages with information in English, Spanish, or French
  • The URL will remain stable over time (at least three years, preferably more)
  • Goes to the specific information requested, not to a general homepage
  • If the URL goes to a long PDF document such as an annual report, please indicate which sections or pages contain relevant information.
  • Provide additional instructions for using the URL if needed. For instance, if the page requires the user to login first, or if the requested information requires selecting certain options or filters on the page that can not be included in the URL. 

I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN PATENT INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of patent information activities and expected time frames for their realization

IP Australia’s Corporate Plan contains several strategic objectives and significant initiatives relevant to patent information activities. The initiatives include the following:

  • A new ICT Strategy 2026-2030 was delivered in November 2025 and details activities under 5 key themes (engagement; innovation; enablement; workforce; operations) to support IP Australia’s vision to become a world leading IP system through modern, intelligent and trusted technology.
  • AI and Automated Decision Making (ADM) tool development, governance and risk management.
  • Assess options for disclosure of source in Australia's patent system, following the conclusion of the WIPO Treaty on IP, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge.
  • Mature our approach to preventing, detecting and disrupting malicious and scam activities impacting users of the IP system, enhancing confidence in the system.

In 2025, IP Australia continued our ongoing efforts to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and exporters to make the most of their ideas in domestic and foreign markets. Our patent policy work focused on contributing to the Australian Government’s productivity agenda and using our influence to shape international IP developments, through WIPO and with other IP offices abroad.

  • New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies and plans mentioned above, short description:  aims, partners, tasks

People + Technology + Efficiency (P+T+E) Program: This program was established to explore opportunities for further innovation in a rapidly changing technology ecosystem. Projects under the P+T+E Program contribute to several objectives of the Corporate Plan, and are intended to keep IP Australia efficient, relevant, and flexible in how services are delivered customers and stakeholders. The P+T+E Program comprises four projects. One of these projects involved a discovery and ideation process to identify new AI use cases for patent and trade mark application processing and examination. The program also involved oversight of implementing our whole-of-government requirements for responsible AI use.

Interactive FER Summary (IFS): IFS is an AI use case progressed under the P+T+E program. It has recently commenced development following a successful proof of concept. IFS is focused on improving foreign examination report (FER)–based examination, and is designed to gather, extract, summarise and present FER information in an interactive format for examiners. The intended benefit is to reduce manual document handling, improve navigation of relevant FER content, and support a more integrated examination workflow. Early testing demonstrated benefits of reduced task complexity, ease of use, and efficiency.

ANSERA-based Search (AbS): IP Australia has adopted the EPO’s AbS tool as its primary patent search tool. The AbS tool was adopted in October 2025 and replaces IP Australia’s use of the ‘EPOQUE’ search tool from January 2026 onwards. AbS allows IP Australia to continue to effectively search patent and non-patent literature collections ensuring delivery of national and international search and examination obligations. Quality has been assured through a comprehensive implementation project including developing examiner proficiency in the new tool, refining best practice and conducting campaign reviews.

Product Management: During 2025, IP Australia commenced implementation of a business-led product operating model to strengthen collaboration between business and technology functions and support the ongoing development and improvement of IT products for IP rights.

  • Main areas of patent information activities and related information and communication technology (ICT) practices which were in the focus of attention last year

Analytics: In 2025, IP Australia’s IP Analytics published interactive patent analytics reports on digital health diagnosis, computing, records, resources, therapies and communications published between 2010-23.

Structured Patent Specifications (SPS): The SPS project was established in 2024 to ensure IP Australia would meet the new requirements under WIPO’s PCT Administrative Instructions for Minimum Documentation, and in doing so, maintain our certification as an International Search Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examination Authority (IPEA). The product provides Australian patent specifications that are published from 1 January 2026 onwards in a structured, machine-readable and searchable format in accordance with WIPO Standards ST.96 and ST.36.

Patent Administration Uplift (PAU): This project started in December 2024 and is set to run until the end of November 2027. Its purpose is to transition all patent administration tasks from our legacy Patent Administration and Management System (PAMS) to a new system called the Patents Administration Workbench (PAW). The PAW is speeding up processing times by reducing manual work and automating high-volume, low risk, and repetitive processes where possible. It will also improve our cybersecurity posture and enable quick and easy system improvements. The project will be integrated with WIPO DAS API V1 in February 2026 enabling administrative efficiencies and positioning the agency for modernised WIPO DAS exchanges and ST.92 compliance by July 2028.

The team is using an agile delivery methodology to continuously release improvements at regular intervals instead of one ‘big bang’ release. Working in close consultation with the IP Rights Administration Teams, new features continue to be released every 7 weeks to production.

  • Statistics:  changes in terms of application filings and grants with respect to previous year;  trends or areas experiencing rapid changes

Item

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

National Applications — Direct filing

10,100

9,259

8,587

8,578

9,026

8,164

PCT Applications — National phase entry

20,248

21,228

22,943

23,716

23,384

21,138

Granted standard patents

19,555

19,276

15,573

16,406

17,155

17,776

  • Other matters and useful links (URLs):  annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.

Latest news: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/news-and-community/news

Australian IP Report, statistics and analytics: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-and-research/professional-resources/data-research-and-reports

II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PATENT INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • Information and support provided by the Office to applicants regarding filing on paper and/or e-filing (instructions, seminars, etc.) – URLs

IP Australia provides information on its website to support applicants filing patents:

IP Australia also provides further support through the contact centre or online enquiry channels. Applicants are also invited to utilise WIPO information resources, including the PCT Applicant’s Guide. See in particular:

  • Availability of the application dossier in electronic form

The patent application dossier is available via the Australian Patent Search (https://ipsearch.ipaustralia.gov.au/patents/).

  • Classification2, preclassification3 (if applicable), reclassification4   activities; classification system used (e.g., International Patent  Classification (IPC)), matters concerning indexing of patent information

Since 1970, IP Australia has been classifying direct filings, Paris Convention route AU applications and PCT applications for which IP Australia is the ISA using the International Patent Classification (IPC) scheme for publication. Since January 2019, IP Australia has also been classifying filings with Australian and New Zealand priority or no priority, and PCT applications for which IP Australia is the ISA using the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) scheme. CPC and IPC classification is fully integrated with the patent case management system, Rights in One (RIO) for Patents Workbench.

The RIO Classification system utilises an internally built machine learning-based system, Patent Auto Classifier (PAC), to broadly pre-classify classification tasks for distribution to examination sections. Classification tasks with multiple technology areas are distributed to multiple technology sections in parallel, and classifiers can refer tasks to other technology areas for further classification as required. The latest version of CPC and IPC schemas are used for classification in the system, and CPC symbols are automatically concorded to IPC symbols. PAC is retrained annually following the IPC scheme update that occurs on 1 January each year.

The system performs automated administrative CPC reclassification when there is an updated CPC version. For symbols that cannot be reclassified automatically, it flags them for intellectual reclassification. Classifiers use a 'Maintain Classification' function to carry out intellectual reclassification within two years of the scheme change. This function may also be used to otherwise update or correct the classification of an application.

In addition, RIO Classification was built with the capacity to automatically transfer CPC classification data to the European Patent Office (EPO) patent database when the applications are officially published.

The following table shows the number of IPC and CPC classifications applied by IP Australia in 2025:

Item

Number of applications

IPC (CPC + IPC-only) classifications

7,864

IPC-only classifications

3,346

CPC classifications

4,518

  • Abstracting, reviewing, and translation of the information contained in patent documents

Examiners redraft applicant-prepared abstracts of direct filings and Paris Convention route AU applications when they are found to be deficient to an extent that they are unable to fulfil their function or not submitted at filing. The abstracts of PCT national phase applications are not reviewed as these have been thoroughly evaluated in the international phase.

  • Other activities 

IP Australia’s IP Analytics team analyses patent data on specific technology fields and provides insights to users through interactive visualisations and written reports. IP Australia uses this capability to add value to its International-Type Search reports (under PCT Article 15(5)) by including a dedicated patent analytics component. In addition, patent analytics reports are provided on request to government agencies and publicly funded researchers.

III. SOURCES OF PATENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • Main types of publications of the Office (patent applications, full text, first pages, abstracts, bibliographic data, granted patents, etc.), medium (on paper, on CDs, online – URLs)

The number of patent documents published in 2025 in the Australian Official Journal of Patents (AOJP) was:

  • patent applications open to public inspection (AU-A) = 9,175
  • patent applications advertised accepted (AU-B) = 20,610

Note: The AU-A figure includes standard patent, and innovation patents made open to public inspection (OPI) either pre-grant or at grant (does not include National Phase Entries).

The AU-B figure includes standard patent acceptances and innovation patent certifications. The AOJP can be accessed at: https://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/ols/epublish/content/olsAvailablePatentPDFs.jsp

  • Official Gazettes:  main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online – URL), etc.

Official notices and changes to office procedures are published in the AOJP. These official notices, and many other patent related notices (including the Manual of Practice and Procedure), are also put directly on the IP Australia website under the Patent notices section: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/news-and-community/official-notices#als_e=0&als_iptags=Patents

The AOJP and the Supplement to the Official Journal of Patents have been combined from 2018 and can be found at: http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/ols/epublish/content/olsAvailablePatentPDFs.jsp

  • Information products and patent document collections (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external collections and databases

IP Australia uses commercial search tools EPO AbS, STN and GenomeQuest to search databases such as EPODOC, DWPI, full text patent databases and many non-patent literature databases. Examiners also use free patent and non-patent literature databases available on the internet.

IP Australia has developed and used various internal examination tools including Family Member Analyser (FMA), Automatic Preliminary Search Tool (APST) and RIO for Patents, Citation Manager utilising various databases and tools such as WIPO CASE, DOCDB, PatentScope, EPO’s Open Patent Services, USPTO’s Open Data Portal and Derwent to assist examiners with searching patent information.

IP Australia publishes the Patent Manual of Practice and Procedure at https://manuals.ipaustralia.gov.au/patent to assist with examination.

  • Information products and patent document collections (coverage, medium, etc.) available to external users, conditions of access (e.g., free of charge, subscription, etc.)

The following databases and information are available through the IP Australia and the Australian Government Data website:

IP Australia continues to share patent information with various organisations including WIPO and European Patent Office, with bibliographic data, IPC/CPC classification, documents and citations of Australian & PCT applications to enrich shared international patent information databases.

  • Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.)

IP Australia provides the Patent Supplemental Journal in XML format. This includes Legal Status Data.

Note: Interested parties may also download the Patent Supplemental Journal in XML format from the secure FTP server in line with the weekly journal publication dates. It is also freely available on the Patent Supplement Downloadable Journals web page: http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/ols/epublish/content/olsAvailablePatentPDFs.jsp

As noted above, IP Australia provides a WIPO ST.27-based Legal Status API, released in 2022 and available on IP Australia’s API Developer Portal (https://portal.api.ipaustralia.gov.au/s/apis).

  • Other sources 

No comment provided.

IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PATENT INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the Office:  general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements

IP Australia uses commercial search tools EPO AbS, STN and GenomeQuest to search databases such as EPODOC, DWPI, full text patent databases and many non-patent literature databases. Examiners also use free patent and non-patent literature databases available on the internet.

IP Australia has developed and used various internal examination tools including FMA, APST and RIO for Patents (for workflows), Citation Manager utilising various databases and tools such as WIPO CASE, DOCDB, PatentScope, EPO’s Open Patent Services, USPTO’s Open Data Portal and Derwent API to assist examiners with searching and examining patent applications.

Other tools include:

  • Online Services: An interactive cloud-based website designed for self-filers to file applications and manage existing IPRs: https://portal.ipaustralia.gov.au/login
  • Business 2 Business (B2B) API channel: Allows professional IP service providers to submit applications and manage IP rights via APIs https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-and-research/Professional-resources/APIs.
  • Order Management Workbench (OMW): An internal web-based interface which allows IP Australia to register and manage customer service requests along with their associated financial details in a single system. It supports tracking, processing, and maintaining these requests while ensuring continuity of business operations and data integrity. It is a bespoke java application.
  • DocGen: The primary corporate platform for the generation of customer correspondence. In runs on Intelledox and is in the implementation stages of transitioning to the cloud based version, SmartIQ. It is integrated with RIO and the Online customer portal.
  • Patent Application Management System (PAMS): The primary tool for managing examiner workflow in the national phase. It is a bespoke, Unix/Java-based web application.
  • Australian Patent Search: This is IP Australia’s public and free-of-charge patent search engine, accessible at https://ipsearch.ipaustralia.gov.au/patents/. It allows inventors, industry and researchers to access patent applications filed and granted in Australia. The tool includes a modernised user interface, quick and structured search types, and 24/7 availability.

The Office's publication system provides the following functions:

Online Services and B2B via API IPR application and management tools are cloud based.

IP Australia’s legacy systems have been moved off-premises and moved into offsite, commercial, shared data centres and high available containerised architecture has been applied to majority of critical business applications.

  • Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office

IP Australia uses enterprise laptops with Windows 11 Operating system and MS365 office productivity tools.

Legacy systems have been moved off-premises and moved into offsite, enterprise, shared data centres and high available containerised architecture have been applied to majority of business-critical applications.

  • Internal databases:  coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources

The primary business system is the Unix / Java application PAMS which runs in an environment which includes Sun Solaris, Amazon RDS for Oracle, J2EE, BEA WebLogic, and Amazon S3. It is being iteratively replaced with RIO for Patents Workbench, which is an enterprise solution comprising bespoke Vue.JS single-page web application and PEGA case management integrated using MuleSoft APIs and utilising a number of existing and new on-premises and cloud-based technologies. The legacy Oracle database has been migrated to AWS Cloud. RIO for Patents New Applications product connects and exchanges up-to-date bibliographic data and documents with WIPO’s ePCT for applications requesting to enter AU national phase.

Full specifications of all non-PCT designated AU-A, AU-B and AU-C patent specifications are available using the Australian Patent Search and via IP Australia’s patent specification bulk data product. Bibliographic data is available both through the Australian Patent Search and via the Patent Bulk Specification data product.

CPC Classification data is provided regularly to the European Patent Office (EPO) using their Web services API and is integrated into their DOCDB collection. The EPO also uses the Patents Journal and Bulk Specification products to represent a full bibliographic collection of Australian patent data within their DOCDB and INPADOC products.

WIPO CASE also has near real-time access to the Australian register, citations, bibliographic data and patent specifications through a series of APIs.

  • Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file:  file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file

The purposely built examination tool FMA allows AU patent examiners to access the latest electronic search file especially examination reports from other offices on the on-demand basis by connecting to Clarivate’s Derwent API, WIPO CASE, PatentScope and USPTO ODP databases.

The APST allows examiners to perform an automated initial search based on limited bibliographic data (applicant and inventor names, IPC and CPC symbols). The tool provides access to published patent specifications (via Clarivate’s Derwent API) as well as providing secure access to internal unpublished specifications held by the office (national and PCT applications).

  • Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)

The administrative team at IP Australia also use the same RIO system for management of electronic records, administrative support and workflow.

The previously mentioned PAU project, as detailed under section 1 above, is establishing the PAW to replace the legacy PAMS, thereby speeding up processing times by reducing manual work and automating high-volume, low risk, and repetitive processes where possible.

  • Other matters

No comment provided.

V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF PATENT INFORMATION

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • Patent library:  equipment, collection management, network of patent libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign patent libraries

All Australian Patents records/documents are handled in accordance with Office procedures set down under Australian Law and archiving practices.

Australian Patents data is searchable using the Australian Patent Search: https://ipsearch.ipaustralia.gov.au/patents/

Australian Patents data is searchable on the EPOs Espacenet: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/

Australian Patents data is searchable on WIPO’s Patentscope: https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/search.jsf

  • Publications related to different business procedures and patent information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.

IP Australia provides useful tools and information on a wide range of information related to intellectual property via IP Australia’s website (http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/) including:

IP Australia provides guidelines and resources on how to search existing patents in Australia and internationally at https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/patents/search-existing-patents.

  • Office’s initiatives on providing foreign patent information in the local language(s) (e.g., machine translation tools, translation of abstracts)

No comment provided.

  • Cooperation with universities, research centers, technology and innovation support centers, etc.

Engagement activities are targeted into the following groups:

  • Government Departments and Agencies: Commonwealth and State based programs that engage with IP Australia’s target audience. These often use a Business Advisor network who have been trained in ‘Introduction to IP’.
  • Universities: early career researchers, undergraduate and industry collaborations, working with accelerator programs, undergraduate innovation courses, and higher degree programs.
  • Peak Industry Bodies: industry associations that represent small and medium enterprises; providing objective information that can be channelled through the associations, leveraging any Business Advisor networks they have.
  • Direct: IP Australia provides webinars and resources designed for self-service on IP Australia’s website and promoted through social media and newsletters, aimed at the end-user/self-filer.
  • Indigenous: IP Australia has a dedicated set of resources including videos, fact sheets and a call-back service — Yarnline — to support Indigenous business owners engaging with the IP system.

Overview of primary engagement activity types:

  • Sponsorships and Partnerships: IP Australia works with a network of partners across government, industry and university sectors to multiply messaging, leverage networks and embed information in these channels to uplift awareness, knowledge and capability in IP. Partnership activities may include:
    • co-hosted virtual or in person information sessions
    • live or in person panel discussions
    • bespoke articles published in partner newsletters and/or on social media channels
    • education links and materials embedded in partner websites.
  • Hybrid Presentations and Workshops (30-45 minutes): Live sessions hosted by IP Australia Public Education staff which include:
    • pre-sessions survey (to understand audience profile)
    • welcome and introduction
    • short presentation by a subject matter expert (experienced IP examiner)
    • Q&A
    • links to relevant online education resources
    • post sessions survey (to understand attendee satisfaction and areas for improvement).
  • Social Media and Newsletter: IP Australia engages with our audiences via digital platforms to support IP Australia policy and consultation activities, IP trends and analysis report publications, to highlight and correct misconceptions and to educate. Platforms include LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and email newsletter (monthly).
  • Event Attendance: participation at relevant industry and government events for face-to-face engagement with small business owners and professional services individuals supporting small businesses:
    • trade stand/booths
    • A5 and business card size collateral with QR codes linking to online education resources
    • presentations and panel participation to demonstrate relevance of IP for business, IP within the innovation ecosystem, IP analytics for Government policy development, IP trends to support small business growth (success)
    • working with incubation hubs, accelerator programs and relevant conferences/expos, IP Australia provides information and demonstrates relevance of IP for start-ups and early-stage businesses
    • developing new content targeted at educating start-ups and early-stage business on commercialisation, exporting and IP protection for digital innovations/inventions.

Ongoing promotion is conducted via social media, email subscription newsletters and proactive message multiplier networks such as peak industry bodies and other government organisations.

IP Australia takes a strategic approach to engagement with small business by establishing a partnership network across government, universities and industry associations, leveraging their networks and the credibility they have in IP Australia’s target audience of start-ups and small to medium enterprises.

IP Australia is planning to release a limited series of podcasts to deliver IP education in plain English targeted at small business, start-ups and entrepreneurs. The 4-part series will cover:

  • Introduction to Intellectual Property (IP) and why it matters to small businesses
  • Registering your trade mark to protect your business identity
  • Making sense of patents and protecting your invention
  • Registering your patent and what comes next.
  • Education and training:  training courses, e learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.

See Hybrid Presentations and Workshops (30-45 minutes) above.

Please also refer to comments in previous section.

  • Other activities 

SME Patent Case Management: SMEs can connect with an IP Australia subject matter expert through this program at no extra cost. Case Managers assist SMEs through all stages of the patent application and examination process.

VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF PATENT INFORMATION

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • International exchange and sharing of patent information in machine-readable form, e.g., priority documents, bibliographic data, abstracts, search reports, full text information

International exchange of patent information can be done using IP Australia’s patents bulk data products: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-and-research/Professional-resources/bulk-data-requests

The Australian Patent Search API allows public users to search for Australian patents and retrieve data displayed on the Australian Patent Search website. The API Developer Portal can be accessed at https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-and-research/professional-resources/apis.

On the API Developer Portal, IP Australia also publishes a Patents Legal Status API. This was designed to allow WIPO’s International Bureau and other international IP Offices to retrieve the statuses of Australian patents and applications, as compliant with WIPO Standard ST.27 – Recommendation for the Exchange of Patent Legal Status Data. The dataset provides internationally aligned status codes for comparison across jurisdiction and IP Right type. Some data points do not align precisely with Australian law and as such are an estimate and/or have not been populated.

The WIPO CASE API provides a RESTful interface for the retrieval of FERs from multiple jurisdictions. IP Australia leverages this platform to programmatically access digital patent search and examination documents to support the examination process.

IP Australia is engaged with the Committee of WIPO Standards (CWS) and participates in the development and application of standards for IP Offices to exchange data in automated, machine-readable ways. IP Australia is also involved in various non-CWS task forces, workshops and projects.

Key activities include:

  • PCT Minimum Documentation: IP Australia has a dedicated project team to ensure our documentation and Patent Authority File complies with the new requirements under WIPO’s PCT Administrative Instructions forMinimum Documentation, and in doing so, maintain our certification as an ISA and IPEA. Australian patent specifications published from 1 January 2026 onwards will be available to IP Offices upon request in a structured, machine-readable and searchable format in accordance with WIPO Standards 96 and WIPO ST.36.
  • Digital Transformation Task Force (CWS): IP Australia is preparing to transition to the new structured package for patent priority documentation defined in WIPO Standard ST.92, and to adopt the WIPO Digital Access Service (DAS) API for exchanging this documentation.
  • Sequence Listings Task Force (CWS): IP Australia employs the WIPO Sequence Suite Validator tool and accepts new sequence listings compliant with ST.26. Preparations are underway to ensure IP Australia and its customers are prepared and informed regarding version 2.0 of ST.26 entering into force on 1 July 2027.
  • Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to patent information

IP Australia’s IP Analytics and Office of the Chief Economist participate in the OECD IP Statistics Taskforce.

IP Australia’s IP Analytics actively participated in WIPO Patent Analytics Community of Practices which started in November 2023.

Vancouver Group

Established in 2008, the Vancouver Group (VG) brings together the IP Offices of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom to share information and experience on issues relevant to mid-sized IP offices.

  • The VG Searching Working Group (VG-SWG), formed in March 2018, promotes collaboration among patent search specialists to improve search quality. Its completed work includes search tools and databases, search quality, training, collaboration workshops and comparing search manuals. The last search workshop concluded in 2024.
  • In recent years, all three offices have explored or adopted new search platforms, with collaboration focused on sharing information and evaluating different search tools.
  • Future discussions will focus on broader policy and operational issues for IP Australia, the UKIPO and CIPO, including AI and digital transformation.
  • Operational discussions may cover new ways of working, business-led IT, management and change management, and digital transformation.

2024-2026 Bilateral Work Plan with the European Patent Office (EPO)

The work plan details on-going cooperation activities between IP Australia and the EPO. Cooperation areas include:

  • exchanging information and best practices on examination, quality and training
  • exchanging information on quality management systems, including ISO9001:2015
  • increasing the use of the bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway arrangement
  • IP Australia patent examiners participating in EPO Academy training
  • Cooperative Patent Classification engagement to improve classification accuracy, efficiency and quality, and CPC data transmission
  • activities provide for exchanges on customer experience improvement processes, use of AI in office operations, patent and legal event data, and on research and patent policies.
  • Assistance to developing countries

IP Australia has assisted developing countries through the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) Implementation Support Program. Notably, IP Australia contributed to consultation for the ‘Human Resources Competency Framework for AANZFTA IP Services’ led by the Philippines which supports capacity building for IP offices in the ASEAN region.

Through Australia-WIPO Funds in Trust (FiT) program, Australia has provided capacity building to women entrepreneurs and SMEs in the Pacific and ASEAN regions. The training provided enhanced their understanding on the benefits of IP and supported them to build an IP business strategy.

  • Other activities

No comment provided.

VII. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WIPO STANDARDS CONCERNING PATENT INFORMATION

Note:  For each Standard listed below, please enter one of the following values: 

  • "Fully implemented"
  • “Partially implemented”
  • "On implementation phase"
  • "Planning to implement"
  • “On assessment phase”
  • "No plan to implement"

Implementation Status Definitions

"Fully implemented"

The WIPO Standard has been implemented in a manner compliant or compatible with the Standard.

"Partially implemented"

The WIPO Standard has been implemented in part.  The Office practice aligns with some, but not all, requirements of the Standard.

"On implementation phase"

The decision to implement the WIPO Standard has been made and it is currently being deployed, configured, or integrated into systems and workflows.

"Planning to implement"

The decision to implement the WIPO Standard has been made;  planning activities (resource allocation, timeline development, technical design) are underway before actual implementation begins.

"On assessment phase"

The WIPO Standard is under active evaluation to determine its feasibility, technical requirements, costs, benefits, and alignment with organizational needs before making an implementation decision.

"No plan to implement"

The WIPO Standard has been reviewed and there is currently no intention or plan to implement it.


WIPO Standard ST.1:  Recommendation concerning the minimum data elements required to uniquely identify a patent document

Fully implemented

IP Australia follows ST.2, ST.3, ST.6, ST.9, and ST.16.


WIPO Standard ST.2:  Standard manner for designating calendar dates by using the Gregorian calendar

Fully implemented

IP Australia's public search tools for each IP right represent dates according to this Standard.


WIPO Standard ST.3:  Recommended standard on two-letter codes for the representation of states, other entities and intergovernmental organizations

Fully implemented

IP Australia follows WIPO ST.3 and applies these two-letter codes as appropriate.


WIPO Standard ST.6:  Recommendation for the numbering of published patent documents

Fully implemented

IP Australia uses 10-digit numbering for patents. See detailed examples of numbering practices in Part 7.2.2 of WIPO Handbook.


WIPO Standard ST.8:  Standard recording of international patent classification (IPC) symbols on machine-readable records

Fully implemented

IP Australia represents IPC symbols according to the Standard and stores data in a format fully compatible with converting it into ST.8 format as required.


WIPO Standard ST.9:  Recommendation concerning bibliographic data on and relating to patents and SPCs

Fully implemented

IP Australia applies INID codes according to the Standard. These can be found in the Australian Official Journal of Patents.


WIPO Standard ST.10:  Published patent documents

No plan to implement

IP Australia publishes the Australian Official Journal of Patents, which includes information on any changes; however, some of the formatting required in ST.18 is not fully adopted.


WIPO Standard ST.10/A:  Format (margins, size) of patent documents

Partially implemented

IP Australia has minimum formatting requirements for patent applications, but does not specify dimensions on the first page of the application.


WIPO Standard ST.10/B:  Layout of bibliographic data components

Partially implemented

IP Australia implements ST.6, ST.9, and ST.16, which are referenced by ST.10/B.


WIPO Standard ST.10/C:  Presentation of bibliographic data components

Partially implemented

IP Australia does not follow the numbering format proposed by ST.10/C, which refers to ST.13. IP Australia does not implement ST.13, but follows ST.6 instead.


WIPO Standard ST.10/D:  Guidelines on physical characteristics of patent documents particularly relevant to reproducibility and legibility of such documents

No plan to implement

IP Australia has minimum requirements for submission of patents in relation to physical characteristics of paper, but these are limited to being presented in A4 size white paper with matte finish. Aside from paper size, IP Australia’s specifications do not align with ST.10/D.


WIPO Standard ST.11:  Recommendation on the minimum of indexes to be inserted in patent gazettes or published in association with patent gazettes

Partially implemented

IP Australia follows the ST.19 requirements listed as part of ST.11, but there is no plan to implement ST.20 at this stage.


WIPO Standard ST.12:  Guidelines for the preparation of abstracts of patent documents

Partially implemented

IP Australia follows most of the requirements outlined in ST.12A, but does not have a plan to implement ST.12B or ST.12C.


WIPO Standard ST.12/A:  General guidelines for the preparation of abstracts of patent documents

Partially implemented

IP Australia follows requirements similar to those under the PCT and outlines guidelines similar to those in ST.12/A, except for the 250 maximum word limit requirement.


WIPO Standard ST.12/B:  Guidelines for the preparation of categorized patent abstract

No plan to implement

IP Australia does not require a structured abstract, as recommended in ST.12/B.


WIPO Standard ST.12/C:  Guidelines for the physical characteristics of separately published abstracts in selective dissemination of information (SDI) presented in the form of card files

No plan to implement

IP Australia provides publicly available data in the patent search tool, but this does not align with physical cards of records outlined in ST.12/C.


WIPO Standard ST.13:  Recommendation for the numbering of applications for industrial property rights (IPRs)

No plan to implement

For patents, IP Australia uses 10-digit numbering instead of 15-digit numbering.


WIPO Standard ST.14:  Recommendation for the inclusion of references cited in patent documents

Fully implemented

IP Australia implements ST.3, ST.6, ST.16, ST.9, and follows date format according to ST.2.


WIPO Standard ST.15:  Guidelines for the wording of titles of inventions in patent documents

No plan to implement

IP Australia provides general guidelines on the wording of titles, but these are not as prescriptive as those outlined in ST.15.


WIPO Standard ST.16:  Recommended standard code for the identification of different kinds of patent documents

Fully implemented

IP Australia publishes patents information in the Australian Official Journal of Patents, which includes lists of different types of patents.


WIPO Standard ST.17:  Recommendation for the coding of headings of announcements made in official gazettes

No plan to implement

The Australian Official Journal of Patents does not make reference to specific coding for headings.


WIPO Standard ST.18:  Recommendation concerning patent gazettes and other patent announcement journals

Partially implemented

Not all recommendations are followed; for instance, 8.d (the first and last numbers of applications are not indicated in the cover of the Australian Official Journal of Patents).


WIPO Standard ST.19:  Recommendation for the publication of indexes issued yearly/half-yearly/quarterly by industrial property offices

Partially implemented

IP Australia broadly follows the recommendations of ST.19 but does not follow ST.17 or ST.20.


WIPO Standard ST.20:  Recommendations for the preparation of name indexes to patent documents

No plan to implement

IP Australia is undertaking a project to improve the quality of its customer data. ST.20 and/or ST.93 may enter assessment phase in future.


WIPO Standard ST.21:  Recommendation concerning the reduction of volume of priority documents as filed with industrial property offices

No plan to implement

IP Australia has a preference for digital data interchange.


WIPO Standard ST.22:  Recommendation for the authoring of patent applications for the purpose of facilitating optical character recognition (OCR)

No plan to implement

IP Australia has specific formatting requirements that align with the margin recommendations of ST.22; however, these requirements have not been designed with ST.22 in mind or with the purpose of improving digitisation of patent documentation with OCR.


WIPO Standard ST.25:  Standard for the presentation of nucleotide and amino acid sequence listings in patent applications

Fully implemented

Implemented for applications filed before ST.26 came into effect.


WIPO Standard ST.26:  Recommended standard for the presentation of nucleotide and amino acid sequence listings using XML  (extensible markup language)

Fully implemented

IP Australia fully implements ST.26 as a mandatory standard and plans to implement the new revisions by July 2027.


WIPO Standard ST.27:  Recommendation for the exchange of patent legal status data

Fully implemented

ST.27 legal status information is available via IP Australia's Legal Status API.


WIPO Standard ST.31:  Recommended standard coded character sets for the exchange of machine-readable records of patent documents

No plan to implement

IP Australia does not use code representation according to this Standard.


WIPO Standard ST.32:  Recommendation for the markup of patent documents using SGML (standard generalized markup language)

No plan to implement

IP Australia primarily uses JSON, and XML as required.


WIPO Standard ST.33:  Recommended standard format for data exchange of facsimile information of patent documents

No plan to implement

IP Australia has a preference for digital data interchange.


WIPO Standard ST.34:  Recommendation concerning the recording of application numbers in electronic form for the exchange of bibliographic data

No plan to implement

There is no plan to change numbering procedures at this stage.


WIPO Standard ST.35:  Recommended standard format for data exchange of mixed-mode published patent document information on reel-to-reel and IBM 3480/90 cartridge tapes

No plan to implement

IP Australia has a preference for digital data interchange.


WIPO Standard ST.36:  Recommendation for the processing of patent information using XML (extensible markup language)

Fully implemented

Where applicable, ST.36 recommendations are followed, noting implementation of ST.96 as well.


WIPO Standard ST.37:  Recommendation for an authority file of published patent documents

Fully implemented

IP Australia provides a text-based Authority File in accordance with v3 of ST.37.


WIPO Standard ST.40:  Recommendation concerning making facsimile images of patent documents available on CD-ROM

No plan to implement

IP Australia has a preference for digital data interchange.


WIPO Standard ST.50:  Guidelines for issuing corrections, alterations and supplements relating to patent information

Partially implemented

IP Australia does not stamp “correction, corrected version, corrigendum” on republished specification in national applications. Other aspects of the Standard are implemented.


WIPO Standard ST.90:  Recommendation for processing and communicating intellectual property data using web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

Partially implemented

APIs developed by IP Australia default to JSON as the request and response data formats. As needed, external interactions provide XML and follow WIPO Standards including ST.90.


WIPO Standard ST.91:  Recommendations on digital three-dimensional (3D) models and 3D images

No plan to implement

This is not implemented for patents at IP Australia; drawings in applications are received in 2D.


WIPO Standard ST.92:  Recommendations on the data package format for the electronic exchange of priority documents

Planning to implement

In 2026, IP Australia's priority document exchange mechanisms will change in preparation for ST.92. Patent documentation will be sent via WIPO DAS API v1.0 and retrieved via WIPO DAS Portal.


WIPO Standard ST.96:  Recommendation for the processing of intellectual property information using XML (extensible markup language)

Fully implemented

IP Australia publishes ST.96-compliant PCT Minimum Documentation for the 1 January 2026 front-file.


WIPO Standard ST.97:  Recommendation for processing of intellectual property data using JSON

Partially implemented

Industry standards and IP Australia naming standards are followed for most JSON payloads. IP Australia follows ST.97 when the output is for WIPO/International Bureau consumption for ST.27 Legal Status API v.2.


VIII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS

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1.Classification is allotting one or more classification symbols (e.g., IPC symbols) to a patent application, either before or during search and examination, which symbols are then published with the patent application.

2. Preclassification is allotting an initial broad classification symbol (e.g., IPC class or subclass, or administrative unit) to a patent application, using human or automated means for internal administrative purposes (e.g., routing an application to the appropriate examiner).  Usually preclassification is applied by the administration of an office.

3. Reclassification is the reconsideration and usually the replacement of one or more previously allotted classification symbols to a patent document, following a revision and the entry into force of a new version of the Classification system (e.g., the IPC).  The new symbols are available on patent databases.