IP Australia: Australian IP Report 2026
On 6 May 2026, IP Australia released its annual report, the Australian IP Report 2026.The Report provides insight into intellectual property (IP) activity and how businesses respond to the economy, including how trade marks and patents are being used in Australia. The Report also considers how IP is used to support investment, scale, and differentiation across domestic and international markets.
This article aims to provide an overview of the key trends and takeaways relevant to our commercial clients in Adelaide, South Australia, and China. The full report by IP Australia can be accessed here. Where useful, we also note practical considerations such as conducting trade mark searches and patent searches.
Key Trends
The Report showed strong intellectual property activity across Australia in 2025. Trade mark applications reached a new record high and patent applications were steady.
Trade Marks
There were 97,345 trade mark applications in 2025, a +13.3% increase over the previous year.
Of these applications, 57.4% were filed by residents and 14.8% by Chinese applicants, respective increases of +15.1% and +20.6% over the previous year. The remaining were filed by other non-residents.
The classes with strongest growth were:
- financial services (+25.1% increase);
- construction services (+24.0% increase); and
- scientific and technological services (+23.4% increase).
There were 2,905 South Australian trade mark applications in 2025, a +6.1% increase over the previous year. Within the state, the number of trade mark applications per 1,000 businesses increased from was 17.22.
Patents
There were 30,348 standard patent applications in 2025, a -0.5% decrease from the previous year.
Of these applications, 9.3% were filed by residents and 9.7% by Chinese applicants, respective increases of +9.0% and +13.4% over the previous year. The remaining were filed by other non-residents.
The technology fields with strongest growth were:
- control (+18.5% increase);
- It methods for management (+15.6% increase); and
- electrical machinery apparatus energy (+12.9% increase).
There were 131 South Australian patent applications in 2025, a +6.5% increase over the previous year. Within the state, the number of patent applications per 1,000 businesses was 0.78.
Key Takeaways
IP Australia links trade marks to revenue expansion and labour productivity gains, and associates patents with improvements in technological capability and production efficiency. The trends could suggest changes in market competition.
For Businesses
Businesses operating within classes experiencing strong growth may wish to consider their current intellectual property strategy. This may include completing trade mark and patent searches and checking existing registrations for gaps in protection. Consulting intellectual property lawyers may help streamline searches and applications.
For Foreign and Chinese Applicants
Foreign applicants, particularly Chinese applicants, may wish to consider their intellectual property strategy before entering the Australian market. This may include developing an intellectual property strategy and filing trade mark and patent applications. Speaking with intellectual property lawyers early may help align filings with commercial goals.
For Businesses in Adelaide, South Australia
Businesses in Adelaide, South Australia may wish to consider whether their existing trade mark and patent registrations align with their future plans. This may be relevant where a business is developing new technology or seeking investment.
How Wadlow Solicitors Can Help
Wadlow Solicitors can assist with intellectual property matters including strategy and risk reviews; completing trade mark searches and patent searches; and filing applications to register trade marks and patents.
We can provide advice and representation with regards to intellectual property disputes involving trade mark and patent registrations.
Our team includes intellectual property lawyers, trade mark lawyers, and patent lawyers.
For over 45 years, Wadlow Solicitors has helped individuals and companies overcome adversity. We provide comprehensive legal services in Adelaide's CBD, cultivating dedicated and lasting client relationships. Contact Wadlow Solicitors or call (08) 8212 2955 to schedule an appointment.
