How to become a Patents Examiner
Investigates and reports on patent applications to assess their compliance with the requirements of the Patents Act.
Main tasks
- Examines patent applications to determine their compliance with the Patents Act
- Assesses whether patent applications provide an adequate technical description of the invention
- Assesses whether the patent rights sought are justified and match the invention's technical description in the patent application
- Reviews technical specifications, drawings and other supporting documents to ensure they meet the necessary standards
- Conducts searches of online databases to identify similar patents that are held in Australia and overseas
- Prepares reports and recommendations on patent applications to the patent applicant or the applicant's legal representative
- Collaborates with patent attorneys and inventors to clarify technical aspects of the invention, and address any queries or objections
Ways in
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $113,828 a year
- About 57,100 people work in this job group now, and about 72,300 are projected by 2035. (+26.6%)
- AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.
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Questions people ask
How much does a Patents Examiner earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $113,828 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Patents Examiner a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 27% by 2035, from about 57,100 to about 72,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Patents Examiner?
Usually. 91% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Patents Examiner?
AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04