EPO and IP Australia PCT Pilot Programme

IP Australia News

Published March 1st, 2026

Detected March 21st, 2026

Summary

IP Australia and the European Patent Office (EPO) are launching a two-year pilot program starting March 1, 2026. Under this program, Australian applicants filing international patent applications can choose the EPO as their International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority.

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What changed

IP Australia and the European Patent Office (EPO) are launching a two-year pilot program commencing March 1, 2026, allowing Australian applicants to designate the EPO as their International Searching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). This initiative enables Australian innovators to leverage the EPO's services for their international patent applications filed with either IP Australia or the World Intellectual Property Organization as the receiving office.

This pilot offers Australian applicants potential benefits, including an accelerated route to European patent protection, bypassing supplementary searches when entering the European regional phase, and a 75% reduction in European regional phase examination fees if international preliminary examination is requested with the EPO. The program aims to provide Australian customers with greater choice in protecting their inventions internationally.

What to do next

Review eligibility criteria for the PCT pilot program.
Evaluate the benefits of designating the EPO as ISA/IPEA for international patent applications.
Consider fee reductions for European regional phase examination if international preliminary examination is requested.

Source document (simplified)

EPO and IP Australia to launch PCT pilot programme starting 1 March 2026

Australian innovators will be able to choose the EPO as their International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority.

IP Australia Director General Michael Schwager and European Patent Office President António Campinos.
Credit: European Patent Office.

The President of the European Patent Office (EPO), António Campinos, and the Director General of IP Australia, Michael Schwager, today announced that under a two-year pilot programme starting on 1 March 2026, Australian applicants will be able to designate the EPO as their International Searching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

The programme will be open to applicants filing their international applications either with IP Australia or with the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization as Receiving Office.

EPO President Campinos said: “This marks a significant milestone in our close collaboration with IP Australia and reflects the trust placed in the quality of our work. The EPO takes great pride in being appointed as an ISA for Australian applicants. We remain fully committed to delivering the highest standards of service to innovators from Australia and around the world.”

IP Australia Director General Schwager said: “Australia’s IP system plays a crucial role in making the economy more productive, resilient and sustainable. The PCT/ISA pilot programme is an important development in our wide-ranging partnership with the EPO, and aims to provide choice for Australian customers in their journey to protect their inventions.”

Benefits for applicants

By choosing the EPO as their ISA , Australian applicants can benefit from an accelerated route to high-quality European patent protection. With an international search report from the EPO, these applicants can bypass the supplementary search when entering the European regional phase, saving time and cost. They will also receive a 75% reduction in European regional phase examination fees if they requested international preliminary examination under PCT Chapter II with the EPO.

The EPO’s international search report provides a solid basis for taking informed decisions on whether to enter the European phase and national phases before other offices. Once granted, a European patent can be validated in all 39 EPO member states and in seven additional extension or validation states. As an alternative or in addition to validating the European patent in individual countries, the patent proprietor can request unitary effect, resulting in a Unitary Patent that provides uniform patent protection in 18 EU Member States.