Life science patents granted, by filing office in Australia
Australia: Life science patents granted, by filing office was 4,775 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by filing office in Australia, 1980–2023
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in patents.
Analysis
Australia recorded 4,775 patents for life science patents granted, by filing office in 2023.
That represents a change of down 0.4% on the previous year and down 19.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by filing office in Australia peaked at 6,518 patents in 2015 and was at its lowest, 501 patents, in 1982.
Australia ranks 6th of 70 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Life science patents granted, by filing office in Australia, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 594 patents | — |
| 1981 | 549 patents | -7.6% |
| 1982 | 501 patents | -8.7% |
| 1983 | 590 patents | +17.8% |
| 1984 | 536 patents | -9.2% |
| 1985 | 576 patents | +7.5% |
| 1986 | 859 patents | +49.1% |
| 1987 | 1,167 patents | +35.9% |
| 1988 | 1,161 patents | -0.5% |
| 1989 | 1,372 patents | +18.2% |
| 1990 | 1,795 patents | +30.8% |
| 1991 | 2,192 patents | +22.1% |
| 1992 | 2,394 patents | +9.2% |
| 1993 | 2,262 patents | -5.5% |
| 1994 | 2,022 patents | -10.6% |
| 1995 | 1,920 patents | -5.0% |
| 1996 | 1,753 patents | -8.7% |
| 1997 | 2,172 patents | +23.9% |
| 1998 | 3,440 patents | +58.4% |
| 1999 | 3,277 patents | -4.7% |
| 2000 | 3,092 patents | -5.6% |
| 2001 | 3,453 patents | +11.7% |
| 2002 | 3,281 patents | -5.0% |
| 2003 | 3,362 patents | +2.5% |
| 2004 | 3,431 patents | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 3,048 patents | -11.2% |
| 2006 | 2,840 patents | -6.8% |
| 2007 | 2,839 patents | -0.0% |
| 2008 | 3,831 patents | +34.9% |
| 2009 | 3,559 patents | -7.1% |
| 2010 | 3,860 patents | +8.5% |
| 2011 | 5,082 patents | +31.7% |
| 2012 | 5,236 patents | +3.0% |
| 2013 | 5,892 patents | +12.5% |
| 2014 | 6,079 patents | +3.2% |
| 2015 | 6,518 patents | +7.2% |
| 2016 | 5,902 patents | -9.5% |
| 2017 | 6,155 patents | +4.3% |
| 2018 | 5,171 patents | -16.0% |
| 2019 | 5,518 patents | +6.7% |
| 2020 | 5,661 patents | +2.6% |
| 2021 | 5,556 patents | -1.9% |
| 2022 | 4,792 patents | -13.8% |
| 2023 | 4,775 patents | -0.4% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 4,775 patents is above the median for high income countries, which is 28 patents, 170.5× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 790.5 patents | 501 patents | 1,372 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 2,323 patents | 1,753 patents | 3,440 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 3,274 patents | 2,839 patents | 3,831 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 5,541 patents | 3,860 patents | 6,518 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 5,196 patents | 4,775 patents | 5,661 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More science & technology data for Australia
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 112.58 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.11 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 30.07 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 3.87 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 0.0604 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 1.05 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 27,945 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 27,945 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by filing office in Australia?
- Life science patents granted, by filing office in Australia was 4,775 patents in 2023, according to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest life science patents granted, by filing office recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 6,518 patents in 2015.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by filing office recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 501 patents in 1982.
- How does Australia rank for life science patents granted, by filing office?
- Australia ranks 6th out of 70 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by filing office rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Life science patents granted, by filing office. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Patents granted within the fields of medical technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals by filing office. These patents cover a wide range of innovations, such as medical devices, diagnostic methods, genetic engineering techniques, biotechnological processes and new drugs.