Design rights class trends and lead filers

Class trends: design activity intensifies in durable consumer goods

In Australia, designs are classified into 32 product categories using the Locarno Classification.¹ Within product categories, growth in filings suggests where design-based competition may be intensifying.²

Furnishings and transport filings remain elevated

Furnishings (895 applications) and transport (811) remained the largest classes in 2025, consistent with the previous year. Furnishings filings have doubled since 2020, with growth driven by firm-level portfolio expansion.  

Despite a decline in filings in 2025, transport remains elevated relative to 2020 levels. In recent years, higher filings in this class have been largely driven by ongoing product development in vehicles including electric cars. Filings for complementary products, such as those in machine parts and battery technology have also increased, up by 118.5% and 46.7% respectively since 2020. 

These class-level movements reflect product upgrading in durable consumer goods and transport — sectors exposed to both domestic demand and international trade dynamics. 

Figure 4.4

Top 5 design classes for volume of design filings in 2025, and classes with strong growth and decline³

Domestic and international profiles diverge

Resident filings are more concentrated in:

• tools and hardware
• building units and construction elements.

Non-resident filings are more heavily weighted toward:

• household goods
• electronics.

This divergence between resident and non-resident filings reflects the structure of the Australian economy. Domestic design activity remains closely linked to construction, specialised manufacturing and branded retail. Non-resident activity reflects Australia’s integration into global consumer product markets.

Chinese-origin filings now account for 59% of filings for machines not elsewhere specified, primarily home appliances. These filings have previously been concentrated among US and Australian applicants but nearly tripled from China in 2024.

These patterns underscore the dual role of the design system: supporting domestic product capability while protecting global brands operating in the Australian market. 

Lead filers: new domestic and international entrants

International leaders

Significant change has occurred from previous years among international lead filers, with a number of large US multinationals entering the list for the first time (Figure 4.5).

Intercontinental Great Brands (Mondelez) led with 192 applications, driving US growth in foodstuffs.

Other major entrants included:

• Yeti Coolers, a cooler and drinkware manufacturer
• Skechers USA, a footwear and apparel company
• SharkNinja, a home appliance manufacturer.

These firms operate in consumer goods sectors where visual differentiation is central to brand and product positioning.

Miss Amara (a rug producer) and Beijing Roborock Technology (autonomous cleaning devices) also ranked among the top filers. Miss Amara originated in Australia and now operates from Hong Kong.  

Figure 4.5

Top domestic and international applicants for design rights in Australia, 2025

Domestic leaders

The activity of domestic lead filers appears to reflect household spending trends.

ABS data show, for 2024 and 2025, above-average growth in household spending in clothing and household furnishings.⁴

Design applications from innovators in these sectors dominated the list of lead filers in 2025, including:

• Jeweller Tatjana Petreska, who returned as lead filer with 88 applications.
• Clothing companies Zimmerman Wear and Magi Enterprises.
• Furniture companies Fido Home, Jardan Australia, Temple & Webster, and Koala and Tree.
• Other household item companies Voltex Electrical Accessories, Concept Architectural System, and Raven Products.

Endnotes

1. For details about the Locarno System, see https://www.wipo.int/classifications/locarno/en/
2. J Heikkilä and M Peltoniemi, ‘Great expectations. Learning the boundaries of design rights’, Research Policy 2019 48(9): 103795.
3. High volume classes are defined as classes above the mean for total applications received in 2023.
4. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Monthly Household Spending IndicatorFebruary 2026, ABS Website, accessed 14 April 2026.