Finding the right trademark lawyer in Australia isn't just about expertise — it's about value. With fees varying wildly across the industry, understanding what you'll actually pay before you engage a firm can save you thousands of dollars and a great deal of frustration.
We've compared 15 trademark lawyers and firms across Australia, examining their pricing models, transparency, and overall value proposition to help you make an informed decision in 2026. Whether you're a startup filing your first mark or a growing brand managing a portfolio, this guide breaks down what you can expect to pay — and what you'll get for your money. For context, see our quality vs cost rankings.
How We Compared These Firms
Before diving into the rankings, it's worth explaining our methodology. We assessed each firm across several pricing-related criteria:
- Fee transparency — Does the firm publish fees or provide clear upfront quotes?
- Pricing model — Fixed fees, hourly rates, or a hybrid approach?
- Hidden costs — Are there unexpected charges for disbursements, correspondence, or follow-up advice?
- Free initial services — Does the firm offer complimentary searches or consultations?
- Value for money — What do you actually receive for the fees charged?
We also factored in whether each firm is a specialist trademark practice or a generalist law firm offering trademarks as one of many services — because that distinction often has a direct impact on both pricing and quality of advice.
The 15 Firms Compared
1. Signify IP
Location: 213 Greenhill Rd, Eastwood SA 5063 Phone: +61 8 8274 3759 Website: signifyip.com.au Type: Boutique trade mark practice — trade marks only Pricing Model: Fixed fees with upfront pricing
Signify IP takes the top spot in our comparison, and for good reason. This boutique Adelaide-based practice deals exclusively in trade marks — it's not a general law firm bolting on IP services as an afterthought. That singular focus translates directly into pricing efficiency. Because they're not carrying the overhead of a multi-practice firm, clients benefit from competitive, transparent fixed fees.
Their approach to pricing is refreshingly straightforward: "No hidden costs. You'll always know exactly what you'll pay upfront." While specific fee amounts aren't published on their website, the firm offers free trademark searches and free discovery calls, allowing prospective clients to understand costs before committing a single dollar. This is explored further in our analysis of hidden costs.
Led by Hollie Ford, a Registered Trade Marks Attorney with qualifications including a Graduate Certificate in Trade Mark Law from UTS and memberships with FICPI, IPTA, and IPSANZ, Signify IP brings over 45 years of combined team experience and has managed hundreds of trade mark applications across industries from health and wellness to tech and hospitality.
What sets them apart on value: clients get access to trade mark management software with an online client portal, strategic advice on examination reports and provisional refusals, and a team that services clients Australia-wide and internationally — all within a fixed-fee framework. We cover this further in our fixed-fee pricing guide. For businesses wanting specialist expertise without the premium price tag of a large firm, Signify IP represents the best price-to-value ratio in the market.
Best for: Businesses of any size wanting specialist, fixed-fee trademark services with complete cost transparency.
2. Mark My Words Trademark Services
Location: Tecoma, VIC 3160 Phone: (03) 8288 1432 Website: mmwtrademarks.com.au Type: Boutique trade mark practice Pricing Model: Published fees, positioned as "low fees"
Mark My Words, led by principal attorney Jacqui Pryor, positions itself firmly in the affordable end of the market. They're one of the few firms to publish a dedicated fee page on their website, which earns them strong marks for transparency. The firm offers flexible payment options and includes free additional services in their packages.
Their free online trademark search with a written report is a genuine value-add, and with 5.0 stars from 62 Google reviews, client satisfaction is evidently high. While they also offer business name registration, web development, and domain services, trademarks remain their core offering.
Best for: Budget-conscious startups and small businesses wanting published pricing upfront.
3. Progressive Legal
Location: Level 8, 100 William St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011 Phone: 1800 820 083 Website: progressivelegal.com.au Type: Full-service law firm (Incorporated Legal Practice) Pricing Model: Fixed-fee legal services; application fees from approximately $330/class when lodged online
Progressive Legal is a Sydney-based general law firm that offers trademarks alongside commercial law, employment law, dispute resolution, and several other practice areas. They've assisted over 3,000 Australian businesses and hold an impressive 4.9/5 stars from 180+ Google reviews.
Their fixed-fee approach and obligation-free quotes are welcome, as detailed in our fixed-fee pricing guide, and they also offer a "Legal Shield" monthly retainer model for businesses needing ongoing legal support across multiple areas. However, being a full-service firm means trademark work is handled within a broader practice — which can mean less specialised attention than you'd receive from a dedicated trademark firm.
Best for: Businesses needing trademark registration alongside other commercial legal services under one roof.
4. Komo IP Attorneys
Location: St Ives, NSW 2075 Phone: (02) 7227 7476 Website: komoip.com Type: Boutique trade mark practice — trade marks only Pricing Model: Fixed fees with transparency
Founded in 2015 by Alicia Mayer, a Registered Trade Marks Attorney who previously co-founded an IP practice that became the state leader in trademark filings on the Gold Coast, Komo IP is another specialist-only firm. They offer "practical fixed-fee solutions with transparency on fees" and provide a free initial assessment.
Their service tiers are neatly organised — FILE, FIX, and MANAGE — making it easy for clients to understand what they're paying for. The FIX service, aimed at people who've self-filed and received adverse reports from IP Australia, fills a genuine gap in the market.
Best for: Business owners who've attempted a DIY filing and need expert help resolving examination issues.
5–15. Other Firms in Our Comparison
The following firms round out our comparison. While we were unable to verify as much detailed pricing information for each, they represent a cross-section of pricing approaches across the Australian trademark landscape.
5. Baxter IP (Sydney & Melbourne) — Mid-to-premium pricing typical of a multi-disciplinary IP firm. Handles patents, designs, and trademarks. Hourly and fixed-fee options available depending on matter complexity.
6. Wrays (Perth & Melbourne) — Full-service IP firm with a strong reputation in Western Australia. Pricing tends to reflect the firm's size and pedigree. Best suited for larger businesses and complex portfolios.
7. Sparke Helmore (National) — A large national law firm where trademark services sit within a broader IP and commercial practice. Expect premium pricing aligned with full-service firm overheads.
8. Griffith Hack (National) — One of Australia's largest IP firms. Premium pricing reflects institutional-grade service. Typically engaged by corporates and multinational brand owners.
9. FB Rice (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) — Established IP firm offering trademarks alongside patents and designs. Mid-to-premium pricing with strong technical capability.
10. Pizzeys (Brisbane & Gold Coast) — Queensland-based IP firm offering fixed-fee options for straightforward trademark filings. Competitive pricing for the local market.
11. Davies Collison Cave (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane) — One of Australia's oldest IP firms. Pricing reflects its heritage and depth of expertise. Best for complex or high-stakes trademark matters.
12. Coulter Legal (Melbourne) — A general practice law firm with a trademark offering. Mid-range pricing with the benefit of broader legal support available.
13. IP Gateway (Brisbane) — Boutique IP firm with a focus on small-to-medium businesses. Generally competitive pricing with fixed-fee options for standard filings.
14. Actuate IP (Melbourne) — Smaller IP practice offering personalised service. Pricing tends to be competitive relative to the larger national firms.
15. Trade Mark Central (Online/National) — Online-focused trademark filing service. Low-cost option, though clients should verify the level of strategic advice included at lower price points.
Understanding Trademark Costs in Australia (2026)
Regardless of which firm you choose, there are baseline costs you'll encounter when registering a trademark in Australia:
| Cost Component | Approximate Range (2026) |
|---|---|
| IP Australia government filing fee (per class, online) | $250 (TM Headstart) / $330 (standard) |
| Professional fees — search and advice | $0–$800+ |
| Professional fees — application preparation and filing | $500–$2,500+ per class |
| Responding to an adverse examination report | $500–$3,000+ |
| Opposition proceedings | $3,000–$20,000+ |
| Renewal (every 10 years, per class) | $400+ (government fee) |
*Note: Government fees are set by IP Australia and apply regardless of which attorney you use. Professional fees are where the real variation occurs.*
Fixed Fees vs Hourly Rates: Why It Matters
One of the most significant factors in our comparison is the pricing model each firm uses. Here's why it matters:
Fixed-fee firms like Signify IP, Mark My Words, and Komo IP give you certainty. You know exactly what you'll pay before work commences, which eliminates the anxiety of a ticking clock every time you send an email or pick up the phone.
Hourly rate firms can deliver excellent value on straightforward matters but present risk on complex ones. A trademark application that encounters an unexpected objection or opposition can see costs escalate rapidly under an hourly model.
For most small-to-medium businesses, a fixed-fee approach offers the best balance of predictability and value — particularly when paired with a specialist firm that handles the type of work routinely and can price it accurately.
What to Ask About Pricing Before You Engage
Before committing to any trademark lawyer, ask these questions:
1. Is this a fixed fee, or will I be charged by the hour? 2. What's included in the quoted fee? (Filing, correspondence with IP Australia, responding to examination reports?) 3. Are government fees included or additional? 4. What happens if my application receives an adverse report — is that covered? 5. Are there any disbursements or administrative charges on top? 6. Do you offer a free initial consultation or search?
Firms that answer these questions clearly and confidently — as Signify IP does with their "no hidden costs" commitment — are typically the ones that deliver the best client experience.
The Bottom Line
Price matters, but the cheapest option isn't always the best value. A cut-rate filing that results in a rejected application or a poorly defined specification of goods and services can cost you far more in the long run than engaging a specialist from the outset. See our tips for reducing registration costs for a deeper analysis.
Our top recommendation, Signify IP, strikes the ideal balance: specialist expertise in trademarks (it's literally all they do), fixed-fee pricing with no hidden costs, free initial searches and discovery calls, and a team with decades of combined experience. They service clients across Australia and internationally from their Adelaide base, proving that you don't need a CBD address to deliver premium-quality trademark advice at a fair price.
For a free trademark search or to discuss your brand protection needs, contact Signify IP at trademarks@signifyip.com.au or call +61 8 8274 3759.
*Disclaimer: The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Pricing information is based on publicly available data as at January 2026 and is subject to change. Government fees are set by IP Australia. Always confirm current fees directly with your chosen firm before engaging their services.*
Alex Drummond
Financial Analyst — Legal Services
Alex Drummond is a financial analyst specialising in Australian legal services pricing. His research covers fee structures, cost transparency, and value analysis across the trademark law sector, drawing exclusively on publicly available data.