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How to apply
A step-by-step guide to registering and certifying your design.
Why search before applying?
Your design must be 'new' and 'distinctive'. By completing a search, you can compare your design to others and check if your own design has already been published.
You should search on the:
- internet, including social media
- IP search databases, Australian and international.
As part of the examination process, we'll also perform extensive searches. If we find your design or a design too similar to yours, we'll let you know.
Check the IP search databases
IP search databases are online resources you can use to find details about IP rights filed by others.
The Australian Design Search database contains details for design applications and registration. It offers multiple ways of searching for a design – by numbers, owner's name, product name, classification, images or advanced search.
We'll also check other IP databases for images that are similar to your design. Any images published on these databases could be relevant, even if they're not registered as a design right.
Australian Trade Mark Search Australian Patent Search
International IP search databases
Conducting your own research will help you understand what designs already exist.
But, searching and interpreting prior designs is a specialised skill and can be complex. So, you may want to reach out to an IP expert to help you.
