Office of the Chief Economist
The Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) provides economic evidence and advice to inform intellectual property (IP) policy, improve understanding of the IP system’s role in a changing economy, and support effective administration of IP rights.
The IP system exists to support social value and economic wellbeing. IP Australia contributes to this objective not only through efficiently administering IP rights, but also by advising government on policy. Policy development in the IP system is inherently iterative – integrating data, research and stakeholder experience, targeted reform, evaluation and calibration. Maintaining this discipline ensures the system evolves coherently as technologies, markets and the global trading environment changes.
Against this background, the OCE’s research program is focused on several priority areas.
Productivity and the performance of the IP system
Consistent with the government’s agenda to lift Australia’s productivity, the OCE is expanding analysis of how the IP system contributes to firm performance, productivity and economic growth. This includes research on how IP rights influence a firm's entry, scaling and participation in international markets, as well as the role of IP in supporting innovation-driving productivity improvements across the economy.
Evaluating major reforms to the IP system
A key priority is evaluating the economic effects of major reforms including Intellectual Property Laws Amendments (Raising the Bar) Act 2012, which narrowed the scope of patent protection available in Australia. Forthcoming research for IP Australia shows how stronger patentability standards have increased innovation through greater competition in some technology fields. Understanding the impact of these reforms helps inform ongoing debates about patent system design.
Looking forward, with partners we are examining whether further adjustments to Australia’s legal tests and practices may be warranted to improve economic outcomes.
Thanks to our partners at Motu Economic and Public Policy Research in New Zealand, EPFL (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), and Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, for their ongoing dedication to this work.
Patents and emerging technologies
The OCE is continuing research on the economic effects of patents for computer implemented inventions and software-related technologies. Firms in these fields operate in fast-moving markets and dense patent landscapes, raising questions about how best to incentivise innovation while minimising barriers to competition. Forthcoming research examines how patenting behaviour and examination practices affect competitive dynamics and technology development in these fields.
Regulatory design and system integrity
IP Australia is applying an economic and evidence-based lens to regulatory issues affecting the operation and accessibility of the IP system. Current issues of focus include how access and use of the IP system is changing through the impact of digital tools and platforms. This research focuses on identifying market failures, weighing costs and benefits of different policy instruments, and ensuring that policy responses are proportionate and evidence-based.
Indigenous Knowledge and participation in the IP system
A further priority is improving understanding of how the IP system supports Indigenous economic participation and the protection of Indigenous Knowledge. In collaboration with research partners, the OCE is developing evidence to inform Australia’s consideration of the Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge – an international framework that, once implemented, will help increase transparency in the patent system and promote the fair use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People's traditional knowledge.
In collaboration with The University of Melbourne’s Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership, the OCE is examining the commercial value of trade marks for Indigenous businesses, and the potential economic role for trade marks containing Indigenous Knowledge.
For new publications and reports, visit IP Australia’s website. To discuss opportunities for collaboration, email chiefeconomist@ipaustralia.gov.au.
Data and Analytics
The Data and Analytics (D&A) team is the primary point of contact for cross-cutting questions requiring IP data and analyses from multiple sources within IP Australia and globally. D&A offers a patent analytics service and a data ‘front door’ service to external stakeholders for addressing data-related queries across different IP rights. This service provides open data products and services covering IP filings in Australia. The data is used by university researchers, government departments and agencies and attorneys to aid research and policy decision-making. Users can access these services by contacting data@ipaustralia.gov.au.
Building upon past achievements, in 2026 D&A will explore opportunities to further enhance data products and services, aiming to make IP data more accessible to the innovation ecosystem.
IP Rights overview
The IP Rights Overview is a tool designed to provide a user-friendly platform for accessing IP Australia’s open dataset IP RAPID. This tool continues to supplement the annual IP Report by offering weekly self-serve updates and insights for our stakeholders.
IP RAPID
The Data Front Door and Analytics team, located within D&A, provides data products and services covering IP filings in Australia. The same data that underpins this report is available to university researchers, government departments and agencies and attorneys, to support research and policy decision-making. For access to these services, email data@ipaustralia.gov.au.
IP Australia has an open data policy, with data on IP rights filings available to the public through the IP Refreshed Automated Product for Information and Data (IP RAPID). IP RAPID is refreshed weekly and provides access to over 100 years of information. In this one-stop shop for administrative data, users can research the classification of IP rights, linkages between Australian and international IP rights, and IP transfers between parties. Our open data products are available at data.gov.au.
Support for critical technologies and National Reconstruction Fund
During 2025 D&A continued to support the Department of Industry, Science and Resources Critical Technologies Hub. This work aims to ensure that Australia’s critical technology policies are balanced, effective and evidence-based as part of the Australian Government’s Action Plan for Critical Technologies. The team also provided patent analyses on National Reconstruction Fund priority areas for a Department of Education evaluation of research commercialisation policies and programs. Other federal departments and agencies were supported with patent analytics on technologies of national interest, including quantum technologies, robotics technologies and critical mineral extraction and processing.
Additionally, the D&A team provided over 800 international-type search patent analytics reports at no cost to Australian patent applicants who requested an international-type search for their inventions in 2025. These analytics reports offer a global snapshot of trends and activities related to the technology, helping shape the applicants’ IP strategy.
IP analytics service
The IP analytics service uses global patent data to derive insights and business intelligence on innovation trends, market profiles, areas of competition and collaboration, and commercial opportunities in specific technology areas. This information aids policy and decision-makers across government in making well-informed, data-driven decisions. Agencies can request IP analytics services by emailing analytics@ipaustralia.gov.au.
IPAVentures
IPAVentures is IP Australia’s innovation capability team. It applies a rigorous and disciplined methodology to research, ideate, prototype, validate and deliver innovative ventures that support the vision of a world-class IP system that promotes prosperity for Australians.
During 2025, IPAVentures progressed IP First Response, a pilot digital service designed to help Australian small to medium businesses (SMEs) understand and navigate options when facing potential IP disputes. This includes both IP rights holders seeking to address suspected infringement and businesses who are accused of infringement. The service aims to minimise distress and confusion by proving clear, structured guidance at an early stage.
Alongside IP Australia’s existing services, IP rights holders can use IP First Response to:
- find clear, step-by-step information on common enforcement pathways
- learn about potential costs, risks, and outcomes
- inform themselves about how they could choose to address the issue.
The IPAVentures team, though IP First Response, is also exploring how digital technologies can support SMEs to navigate complex government information. This includes improving the accessibility and usability of authoritative IP content, and making information available in open, machine-readable formats. By doing so, IP Australia is helping ensure trusted, government-sourced information is discoverable in emerging AI systems increasingly used by businesses to seek guidance.