Designs (Approved Means for Paying a Fee) Determination 2026

Designs (Documents and Evidence) (Proceedings) Instrument 2026

Designs (Means and Form of Filing Documents) Instrument 2026

The Registrar of Designs, by way of non-legislative instruments, may:

- determine the means for filing a document with the Designs Office,

- give a direction specifying the form in which a document is to be filed,

- give a direction in relation to the filing of evidence in connection with a matter arising under the Designs Act,

- determine the means for paying a fee, and

- determine the formalities requirements in relation to a complete application.

IP Australia has published 3 instruments on our website in preparation for their commencement on 1 September 2026.

The instruments set out the requirements in relation to:

- the approved and preferred means of paying fees: Designs (Approved Means for Paying a Fee) Determination 2026

- the means and form of filing evidence documents: Designs (Documents and Evidence) (Proceedings) Instrument 2026

- the means and form of filing documents: Designs (Means and Form of Filing Documents) Instrument 2026

The instruments change the requirements that presently apply in relation to these matters in the following manner:

- The approved means for paying a fee now includes debit card as an approved means of payment (via Visa or Mastercard) and removes EFTPOS and accounts for selected services as options.

- The means and form for filing documents in proceedings involves no substantive amendments.

- The means and form of filing documents instrument updates our mechanism for alternative lodgement where there is an outage in our digital lodgement systems. Our Alternative Lodgement Process involves the use of facsimile (see Declaration for use of emergency fax). Furthermore, we now designate a USB drive as an official physical means for filing.

Copies of the instruments can be found at IP legislation in Australia.

The Designs Examiners' Manual of Practice and Procedure is available for users if they are uncertain what requirements apply to their situation.

For more information, please contact the Trade Marks and Designs Group at MDB-TechnicalHub@ipaustralia.gov.au.

Source: IP Australia　Date of original: 24 August 2026　Original link: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/news-and-community/official-notices/updated-design-instruments-aug-2026　Licence: Content sourced from IP Australia and used under CC BY 4.0.