Online Trade Mark Filing
& Registration in Australia
File your trade mark online with Joi. Simple, fast and Australian-focused. The modern way to protect your brand with confidence.
Joi is an independent online trade mark filing platform operated by Inventico Pty Ltd. We are not IP Australia and not a law firm.
Key Takeaways
- You can file a trade mark yourself online from $635 (inc. GST & gov fees)
- Registration typically takes 7-9 months with IP Australia
- Australian trade marks only protect you in Australia
- Wrong class selection = no protection for your business
- Pre-filing search reduces rejection risk significantly
Table of Contents
What Is a Trade Mark?
A trade mark is a sign used to distinguish your goods or services from others. In Australia, trade marks are governed by the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) and administered by IP Australia.
Standard Trade Mark
Used to distinguish your goods or services. This is the most common type.
Series Trade Mark
For variations of the same mark that differ only in non-distinctive matters (e.g., colour, price).
Certification Trade Mark
Indicates goods/services meet certain standards (quality, origin, material) certified by the owner.
Collective Trade Mark
Used by members of an association to distinguish their goods/services from non-members.
Defensive Trade Mark
For well-known marks registered for goods/services not actually used, to prevent connection.
Why Register a Trade Mark?
Unregistered trade marks rely on limited common law rights and are far harder (and costlier) to enforce. Registration gives you powerful, nationwide protection. These rights are enforceable through Australian courts once your trade mark is registered.
Exclusive Rights
Exclusive right to use your mark for registered goods/services across all of Australia under s.20 Trade Marks Act 1995
Nationwide protection from filing dateLegal Enforcement
Sue for infringement, seek injunctions, and claim damages. Unregistered marks require proving reputation
Statutory remedies under s.126Commercial Asset
Registered trade marks are assignable, licensable, and can be recorded as intangible assets on your balance sheet
Bankable IP asset® Symbol Rights
Only registered marks can use the ® symbol. Using it on unregistered marks is a criminal offence under s.151
Legal authority markerPriority Date
Your rights date back to filing, not registration. This priority blocks later applications for similar marks
First-in-time advantageExpansion Foundation
Australian registration supports Madrid Protocol applications for international protection in 130+ countries
Global protection pathwayHow Trade Mark Registration Works
The Australian trade mark process follows these core steps. Joi streamlines each phase to reduce delays and increase your chances of success.
Joi is built and reviewed by an Australian registered trade marks attorney with Australian trade mark filing experience. Joi guides you through the official IP Australia process and is not a law firm or a government body.
Conduct a Trade Mark Search
Search existing Australian trade marks to ensure your brand name or logo is available and not already registered by someone else.
This ensures your filed application is complete and reduces risk of refusal or costly opposition proceedings.
You'll know whether your proposed trade mark has potential conflicts before investing in the application.
Joi searches 2M+ Australian trade marks in seconds
Choose Your Trade Mark Classes
Select the Nice Classification classes that cover your goods and services. There are 45 classes - 34 for goods and 11 for services.
Filing under wrong classes means no protection for your actual business activities.
Your trade mark will be protected for the exact goods and services you provide or plan to provide.
Joi guides you to select right coverage without legal jargon
Prepare Your Application Details
Gather your applicant details, trade mark representation (word mark or logo), and goods/services descriptions.
Accurate information at this stage prevents costly amendments and delays later.
You'll have everything ready for a complete, error-free submission to IP Australia.
Joi validates your entries in real-time to catch errors
Complete the Online Filing with Joi
Submit your application through Joi's guided online platform. Filing takes just 5-10 minutes with Joi's streamlined process.
Your application is filed directly with IP Australia and you receive immediate confirmation.
You'll have an official application number and priority date protecting your brand from that moment.
Joi files directly with IP Australia in plain English
Start your filing nowWhat Happens After You Submit
IP Australia examines your application within 3-4 months. If accepted, it's advertised for 2 months for potential opposition.
If issues arise during examination, you have 15 months to respond to objections.
After a clear examination and opposition period, your trade mark proceeds to registration.
Joi's pre-filing checks reduce likelihood of objections
Registration & Ongoing Protection
Your trade mark is registered with 10 years of exclusive nationwide protection, renewable indefinitely.
You can now use the ® symbol and enforce your rights against infringers.
Your brand is legally protected across all of Australia with enforceable exclusive rights.
Your brand is now legally protected Australia-wide
Ready to Protect Your Brand?
Filing your trade mark online with Joi takes just 5-10 minutes. Our guided process ensures you complete every step correctly, from initial search through to submission with IP Australia.
Start Your Application NowLearn more about specific topics:
Timelines & Costs
Understanding the official IP Australia fees and registration timelines helps you plan your brand protection strategy. These are the current government fees as of 2025.
Timeline
How long trade mark registration takes in Australia
Trade mark registration in Australia typically takes 7-9 months from filing to registration if there are no issues. Here's the breakdown:
* Timelines may vary based on IP Australia's examination workload and any objections raised
View official IP Australia timeframesCosts
Trade mark registration cost Australia
Filing with Joi starts from $635 for your first class (inc. GST). Additional classes are discounted at $175 service fee each (50% off). This includes Joi's service fee and IP Australia's government fee.
Common Mistakes
And how Joi helps you avoid them
Filing Without Searching First
Objection under s.44 (similar existing marks) - most common refusal ground. Wasted $250+ filing fees
Joi searches 2M+ Australian trade marks before filing
Selecting Wrong Classes
No protection for your actual goods/services, or objections from marks in overlapping classes
Joi guides Nice Classification selection based on your business
Descriptive or Generic Names
Objection under s.41 (not capable of distinguishing). IP Australia rejects marks that describe the goods
Joi flags descriptiveness and distinctiveness issues pre-filing
Incomplete or Incorrect Details
Formalities objections delay examination. Incorrect applicant details may invalidate the registration
Joi validates applicant details and application completeness
What Is Joi?
Joi is an online trade mark filing platform operated by Inventico Pty Ltd (ABN 40 679 675 935), an Australian company. Joi helps Australian businesses file trade mark applications directly with IP Australia - reducing complexity, cost, and the risk of errors.
Joi is not IP Australia and is not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice. For complex matters, consult a registered trade marks attorney.
Inventico Pty Ltd
ABN 40 679 675 935
Joi vs Traditional IP Firms
See the difference that technology and Australian expertise make
| Feature | Traditional IP Firm | Joi |
|---|---|---|
| Filing Process | Email/call back, manual forms | Self-service, file in 5-10 minutes |
| Professional Fees | $1,500 - $3,000+ per application | Transparent platform fee + gov fees |
| Trade Mark Search | 3-7 days for report | Instant results from 2M+ marks |
| Communication | Legal jargon, billable time | Plain English, no hourly rates |
| Class Selection | Attorney-directed | Guided self-selection with explanations |
| Target User | Complex, contested matters | Straightforward first-time filings |
Joi is ideal for:
International Protection
Protecting your brand overseas
Important: Australian trade marks only protect your brand within Australia. For international protection, you have several options:
- Direct filing - File separate applications in each country
- Madrid Protocol - File one international application to designate multiple countries
- Regional systems - EU Trade Mark (EUTM) covers all EU member states
Joi focuses on Australian trade mark filing. For international protection, we recommend consulting with a registered trade marks attorney to formulate a filing strategy that minimises costs and risks before filing. You can book a free strategy session with Syed Mosawi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about trade mark filing in Australia
Written & Reviewed By Experts
This content is created and reviewed by qualified intellectual property professionals
Syed Mosawi
Registered Trade Marks AttorneySyed is an Australian registered trade marks attorney with expertise in trade mark filing, prosecution, and IP strategy. He founded Inventico to make professional-grade trade mark protection accessible to Australian businesses of all sizes.
Content Review Statement: This page has been written and reviewed by Syed Mosawi, a registered Australian trade marks attorney. The information provided is accurate as of the last review date and aligns with current IP Australia procedures and the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth). This content is educational and does not constitute legal advice.
Last reviewed: January 2025
Australian-Focused
Built exclusively for Australian trade mark law and IP Australia procedures
Attorney Reviewed
Content reviewed by a registered Australian trade marks attorney
Legally Aligned
Follows the Trade Marks Act 1995 and IP Australia examination standards
Transparent
Clear disclaimers, no hidden fees, educational-first approach
About This Platform
Important information about Joi
Joi is operated by Inventico Pty Ltd, an Australian intellectual property technology company. Joi is built and reviewed by an Australian registered trade marks attorney with Australian trade mark filing experience.
We are not IP Australia. IP Australia is the Australian Government agency responsible for examining and granting trade mark rights. Joi is an independent filing platform that guides you through the official IP Australia process.
We are not a law firm. Joi provides an online platform to assist with trade mark filings in Australia and does not provide legal advice. For complex matters, oppositions, or legal disputes, we recommend consulting with a registered trade mark attorney. You can book a meeting with Syed Mosawi directly. View the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Register.
Trusted by Australian Businesses
"As a start-up founder, I really value transparency and speed, and Joi delivered both. Simple to file without the usual confusion."
Andrej
Co-founder, Dezigner.ai
Start Your Online Trade Mark
Filing with Joi
If you're serious about protecting your brand in Australia, Joi provides a modern, digital-first way to file trade marks properly - without unnecessary friction.
From $635 per class (inc. GST & IP Australia fees)
Built by
Inventico Pty Ltd
Designed for Australian businesses