How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Brand in Australia? (2026 Complete Breakdown)

The Short Answer

The total cost of registering a trade mark in Australia in 2026 typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,000 for a straightforward single-class application when using a professional, plus IP Australia's government filing fee. However, that range can expand significantly depending on the complexity of the application, the number of classes, whether international protection is needed, and whether any examination issues or oppositions arise, as we cover in our complete cost breakdown.

This guide breaks down every cost component so business owners can budget accurately before starting the process.

Government Fees: What IP Australia Charges

IP Australia charges fixed government fees that apply regardless of whether you file directly or through a trade mark attorney. These fees are non-negotiable and are set by the Commonwealth government.

Standard trade mark application: $330 per class (online filing via TM Headstart) or $250 per class (standard application without TM Headstart). The TM Headstart service includes a preliminary assessment from an IP Australia examiner before the formal application is filed. Most practitioners recommend TM Headstart for first-time filers because it identifies potential issues early, saving time and money downstream.

Multi-class applications: Each additional class adds $330 (TM Headstart) or $250 (standard) to the government fee. A business that operates across three trade mark classes — for example, a food brand that also sells merchandise and offers consulting — would pay $990 in government fees through TM Headstart.

Registration fee: Once a trade mark passes examination and the opposition period without challenge, IP Australia charges a registration fee. This fee varies depending on the renewal period selected and currently ranges from $250 to $400 per class.

Renewal fees: Trade marks in Australia must be renewed every 10 years. The renewal fee is currently $400 per class for standard renewal. Late renewal incurs additional penalties.

Professional Fees: What Trade Mark Lawyers and Attorneys Charge

Professional fees vary significantly depending on the type of practitioner, the firm's size and location, and the pricing model used.

Fixed-fee practitioners typically charge between $1,500 and $3,500 for a single-class Australian trade mark application, inclusive of the search, application preparation, filing, and prosecution through to registration. This pricing model gives business owners cost certainty from the outset, as we cover in our fixed-fee trademark lawyer rankings.

Hourly-rate practitioners at mid-tier and large IP firms typically charge between $300 and $700 per hour. A straightforward single-class application might require 3 to 6 hours of work, producing a professional fee of $900 to $4,200 — but the final cost is unpredictable until the work is complete. If examination issues arise, additional hours can accumulate quickly.

Budget and online services offer trade mark filing at lower price points, sometimes as low as $800 to $1,200 for basic filing services. For more detail, see our guide to affordable trademark services. However, these services may not include comprehensive clearance searching, strategic advice on class selection, or support through examination issues and oppositions.

The Hidden Costs Nobody Warns You About

Several costs can catch business owners off guard if they are not factored into the initial budget.

Clearance searching. A thorough trade mark search before filing is essential but is not always included in the quoted application fee. Some practitioners include it in their fixed fee; others charge it separately. For context, see our fixed-fee trademark lawyer rankings. A comprehensive search that covers phonetic similarities, visual similarities, and related marks across relevant classes typically costs $300 to $800 when charged separately.

Examination responses. If IP Australia raises objections during examination — known as an adverse report — the cost of preparing a response can range from $500 to $2,000 depending on complexity. This is one of the most common sources of unexpected cost, particularly for applications that push the boundaries of distinctiveness.

Opposition proceedings. If a third party opposes your trade mark application, defending the opposition can cost $5,000 to $20,000 or more depending on the complexity and duration of the proceedings. While oppositions are relatively uncommon for well-searched applications, they represent a significant financial risk if they arise.

International filing. Filing trade marks internationally through the Madrid Protocol adds costs for each designated country, plus the base fee for the international application itself. A Madrid Protocol filing covering 3 to 5 countries might cost $3,000 to $8,000 in total, including both professional and government fees across jurisdictions.

Portfolio management. Ongoing costs for trade mark monitoring, renewal management, and portfolio administration are often overlooked in the initial budgeting process. Annual portfolio management fees typically range from $200 to $1,000 per mark depending on the level of monitoring and the practitioner's pricing model.

Cost Comparison by Practitioner Type

What Affects the Total Cost

Several factors can push the total cost higher or lower than the typical range.

Number of classes. Each additional class adds both government fees and professional fees. Multi-class applications are more complex to search and file correctly.

Complexity of the mark. Word marks are generally simpler and cheaper to file than stylised logos, composite marks, or non-traditional marks such as sounds, colours, or shapes.

Examination issues. Applications that receive adverse reports require additional professional time to address. The likelihood of examination issues increases with marks that are descriptive, geographically based, or similar to existing registrations.

International scope. Extending protection beyond Australia through the Madrid Protocol or direct foreign filings adds costs proportional to the number of jurisdictions selected.

Urgency. Some practitioners offer expedited services at a premium. IP Australia also offers an expedited examination process in certain circumstances.

How to Budget for Trade Mark Registration

For a typical Australian small business registering a single-class trade mark domestically, a realistic budget looks like this:

For businesses with more complex needs — multiple classes, international filing, or existing conflicts — the budget should be adjusted upward accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register a trade mark without a lawyer to save money?

Yes, it is possible to file directly with IP Australia. However, the risk of errors in class selection, insufficient searching, or inability to respond effectively to examination issues often makes professional assistance more cost-effective in the long run. The cost of a rejected application or a poorly drafted specification can exceed the savings from self-filing.

Is it worth paying more for a specialist trade mark attorney?

Generally, specialist practitioners offer deeper expertise in trade mark searching, prosecution strategy, and examination responses. For a first-time filer, the guidance on class selection, specification drafting, and search interpretation provided by a specialist can prevent costly mistakes.

How do fixed-fee and hourly pricing compare overall?

Fixed-fee pricing provides certainty: the quoted price is the final price for the defined scope of work. Hourly pricing can be lower for very simple matters but carries the risk of unexpected costs if complications arise. For most small businesses, the cost certainty of fixed-fee pricing reduces financial risk. For more detail, see our cost-saving strategies guide.