You can make a patent application to IP Australia by following the patent application process in Australia. You have to file for either a ‘provisional patent application’ lasting for 12 months, followed by a ‘complete patent application’ or straight away by filing a ‘complete patent application’. ‘Provisional patent application’ is required to be filed for 12 months to ensure that the patent is still required for the new invention or creation and someone else has not been granted patent for the similar invention. It is important to avoid any public disclosure of the invention prior to filing a patent application, as this may jeopardise your ability to obtain valid patent protection. Provisional application is advantageous as it gives opportunity to add new features or material to the disclosure for the further development to the invention during that 12 months period. Time is of the essence in case of a patent application. The patent granted is enforceable. In the event of two competitors applying for similar patent, IP Australia gives priority on ‘first come, first serve’ basis.