This IP First Response website has been designed to help IP rights holders navigate IP infringement and enforcement by making it visible, accessible, and to provide information about the factors involved in pursuing different options. It does not provide legal, business or other professional advice, and none of the content should be regarded as recommending a specific course of action. We welcome any feedback via our IP First Response feedback form and by emailing us.
IP Australia offers assistance across a range of intellectual property matters and is responsible for managing applications, oppositions, renewals and the public registers. However, there are certain matters that IP Australia is not permitted to assist with. IP Australia does not provide legal, financial, or business advice. For this type of advice, you should consult a suitably qualified IP professional when considering your intellectual property needs.
General enquiries
Enquiries related to basic processes, navigation of Online services, opposition, renewal or registered IP rights, and procedures throughout the application journey are treated as general enquiries.
Enquiries that are case‑specific or require specialised knowledge or support (in line with a defined process) will be escalated internally.
You can access the general enquiry service via;
our live phone contact centre (accessed from Australia and also from overseas on a different phone number),
a live chat function from your internet browser (with a live IP Australia agent on the other end of the chat), or
submit an email to outline your question and receive a written response.
Topics which our general enquiry service can assist with;
Explaining the general intellectual property environment, including trade marks, patents, designs and plant breeders rights
Assistance with questions about accessing IP Australia’s online services and systems
Answering questions about IP processes, applications and services offered by IP Australia
Guiding you through key steps of an application’s process for your specific intellectual property rights
Assistance with understanding the processes involved in opposing someone else’s application for IP rights
General enquiries relating to fees payable to IP Australia, include fee types and amounts and how you can pay
Assistance with understanding the processes involved in defending your rights from an IP Australia opposition process
Helping you check whether correspondence you’ve received claiming to be from IP Australia is legitimate, including identifying potential scams or misleading communications.
Topics our general enquiry service cannot assist with:
Advice about what to do in your personal situation, this is the role of an attorney or lawyer. See Choosing the right IP professional | IP Australia First Response. This includes;
What you should or should not do, including what is best or safest to do
Defining if infringement has occurred
Business decisions
Dealing with enforcing or defending your IP rights, infringement issues, or other business decisions relating to your IP. Including issues involving ‘passing off’, counterfeiting, or regulating business activities.
Information about rights which are not administered by IP Australia, including copyright, trade secrets, GIs
Copyright is outside of IP Australia’s scope. The contact centre cannot assist with copyright matters. You may find useful information and avenues for assistance at;
IP Australia Customer Service Line
Availability: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm (local time, excluding public holidays).
Providing feedback about IP Australia
If you would like to provide feedback about your experience with IP Australia’s services, content, support or processes, you can submit your comments using our online feedback form.
[RS1] Contact us | IP Australia
Indigenous knowledge
Our free Yarnline service supports people to better understand Indigenous Knowledge and how intellectual property rights can help protect it. You can speak directly with a specialist or request a call back.
Availability: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm (local time, excluding national public holidays).
Phone: 1800 316 949
For journalists and the media
Dedicated contact details are available for journalists and media enquiries.
Availability: Media enquiries are handled during standard business hours, Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm.
Email: media@ipaustralia.gov.au
Phone: (02) 6283 2038
Engagement requests
If your organisation would like to learn more about intellectual property, you can organise an information session with our expert team, request educational resources, or invite us to participate in an event.
Availability: Requests are managed Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm.
Translation and interpreting
If you need translation or interpreting support, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National).
Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone: 13 14 50
Hearing and speech assistance
If you are d/Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, you can contact IP Australia through the National Relay Service (NRS).
Availability: 24 hours a day, except for Video Relay calls which operate limited hours.
Phone: 1300 651 010 (via NRS)