The joint trans-Tasman registration regime

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Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand

The joint trans-Tasman registration regime

A joint registration regime ensures that patent attorneys in New Zealand and Australia have the necessary skills to provide services in both jurisdictions.

Patent attorneys in New Zealand and Australia are registered under a joint registration regime which allows them to practice in both countries. This joint regime is overseen by the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board and the Designated Manager, who are responsible for administering the regulatory and disciplinary regimes for patent attorneys.

The joint regime ensures that patent attorneys have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to provide competent advice on patents. The key features of the joint registration regime are set out in a 2013 Bilateral Arrangement.

Arrangement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand Relating to Trans-Tasman Regulation of Patent Attorneys [PDF, 94.1KB]

The Bilateral Arrangement was amended in 2024, following a number of changes to legislation in Australia that resulted in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal being replaced by the Administrative Review Tribunal.

Letter confirming Australian legislation changes [PDF, 64 KB]

Letter acknowledging Australian legislation changes  [PDF, 70 KB]

This joint registration regime is implemented through the following legislation:

New Zealand

Australia 

Designated Manager

The trans-Tasman patent attorneys register is maintained by the Designated Manager.

The Designated Manager is responsible for registering patent attorneys under the joint regime, among other activities. The Designated Manager may also suspend or cancel a person’s registration under certain circumstances, such as where:

  • the patent attorney has failed to meet continuing professional education requirements (minimum of 10 hours per annum)
  • the patent attorney has failed to renew their registration in a timely manner
  • the trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Disciplinary Tribunal has ordered that the registration of a patent attorney be suspended or cancelled following a determination of professional misconduct or unsatisfactory professional conduct.

For more information on the Designated Manager role, including registration requirements and processes, please visit the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Regulation website.

The Designated Manager — Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Regulation

Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board

The Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board (TTIPAB) is an Australian statutory body responsible under the joint registration regime for, amongst other things:

  • approving the academic qualifications required to become a patent attorney
  • the knowledge requirements for patent attorneys
  • the accreditation of courses for patent attorneys that satisfy knowledge requirements to become registered
  • the granting of exemptions from knowledge requirements
  • the professional conduct of patent attorneys.

This includes disciplinary matters such as:

  • receiving and investigating complaints about patent attorneys
  • inquiring into the conduct of patent attorneys
  • commencing disciplinary proceedings against patent attorneys before the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Disciplinary Tribunal.

The TTIPAB is required to report annually to the Australian Minister responsible for administering patents; and the New Zealand Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

For more information on the TTIPAB, its functions and its composition, please visit the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Regulation website.

The Board — Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Regulation

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