Trade Mark Examiner - Affirmative Measures (Indigenous)

IP Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

IP Australia is seeking a Trade Mark Examiner in Canberra to assess trade mark applications for registrability. You will research using online resources, analyse information, and apply legal tests under the Trade Marks Act 1995.

Training is provided, and you will liaise with customers, IP professionals and the public to ensure robust IP rights. The role starts at TM1 and progresses through training to TM4; candidates must be Australian citizens and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

Qualifications

• No prior IP, trade marks, or legal experience required; full training provided.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent time management and digital literacy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research using online resources and databases.
• Analyse and interpret information applying relevant tests and principles.
• Liaise with customers, IP professionals, and the public to ensure robust IP rights.
• Apply legislation and court decisions to assess registrability.

Skills

Research

Communication

Time management

Digital literacy

Tools

Databases

Job description

Trade Mark Examiners assess trade mark applications to determine if they meet the requirements for registration under the Trade Marks Act 1995. You don't need previous experience in intellectual property, trade marks or law, as full training is provided when you commence.

Trade Mark Examiners conduct research using online resources, analyse and interpret information, and apply legal tests and principles to assess whether a trade mark is registrable. Examination research tools are primarily electronic and include internal and external databases and procedural manuals. Trade Mark Examiners are required to apply and interpret the relevant legislation and court decisions.

As an Examiner, you will liaise closely with customers (including businesses and individuals), IP professionals, and the general public, to ensure the delivery of robust intellectual property rights. Examiners must also have exceptional time management skills, high levels of digital literacy, as well as clear, concise and logical written and oral communication skills.

Trade Mark Examiners commence as an TM1 (equivalent to an APS Level 4.2) but progress quickly through the training program to an TM4 (equivalent to an APS Level 5.1) You can find a detailed description of what is expected at these classifications in IP Australia’s capability framework.

This role is available on a Full-time or Part-time basis.

The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under Section 26 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner's Directions 2022. This vacancy is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

To become a Trade Mark Examiner, you must:

• be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
• be able to provide documentation as evidence to confirm your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage (evidence will only be required for candidates progressing to interview and must be provided on or before the scheduled interview date)
• be an Australian citizen at the time of application.

Looking for more information?

For more information about this role, including the type of person we are looking for, eligibility requirements and advertised locations please refer to the Candidate Kit.

Diversity and Inclusion

IP Australia celebrates and champions diversity to ensure we reflect the community we serve, and pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of all genders, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTQA+, mature aged employees and carers.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know—we will do our best to support you.

Applications close at 11:59pm (AEDT) Sunday 11 October 2026