Take action before key deadlines to remove or restore your attorney registration. Learn your options, required forms, and fees to avoid a lapsed registration.
What happens if you do not renew
If you do not renew your attorney registration, you have 2 options:
- Voluntary removal – You can apply to remove your registration at no cost for up to 3 years. You may then apply to restore it at any time within that period by paying the renewal and restoration fee.
- Non-payment removal – If you do not renew by 31 July, the Designated Manager will automatically remove your registration. You have until 1 September to apply for restoration, which requires payment of both the renewal fee and restoration fee.
If you do not restore your registration by the relevant deadlines, it will lapse.
Voluntarily remove your registration
You can apply to voluntarily remove your name from the register(s) for up to 3 years. During this time, you cannot work as an attorney.
To request removal, download and complete the voluntary removal form that applies to you, then email it to us.
For patent and trade marks attorneys:
For incorporated attorneys:
Restore after a voluntary removal
You can restore your registration at any time within those 3 years.
To restore, you need to:
- complete the restoration form, advising of any continuing professional education completed while off the register(s)
- pay the renewal and restoration fees.
To request restoration, download and complete the form that applies to you, then email it to us.
For patent and trade marks attorneys:
For incorporated attorneys:
Note: If you do not restore your registration within 3 years, it will lapse. You will need to go through the Board before you can restore it (see lapsed registration information below).
Restore after a non-payment removal
If you do not renew your registration by 31 July, the Designated Manager will remove you from the register(s) for non-payment. However, you may apply for restoration until 1 September of the same year.
To restore your registration, you need to:
- complete an application for restoration after non-payment
- pay the renewal and restoration fees.
Complete the following form to restore your registration:
Restore a lapsed registration
If your registration has lapsed, you must first obtain a letter of currency from the Board before applying for restoration.
The process can be costly and time-consuming, as you'll need to demonstrate current IP law knowledge, which may require completing accredited courses.
Obtain a letter of currency
You must submit a declaration to the Board for review at a scheduled meeting. They will assess whether your knowledge is current, and if approved, issue a letter of currency.
You need a letter of currency if:
- your name was removed for non-payment, and you did not seek restoration before 1 September of the same year
- you voluntarily removed your name from the register(s) and you did not seek restoration within 3 years
- your registration was removed for any other reason.
Apply for restoration
Once the Board approves your currency of knowledge, you can apply to the Designated Manager for restoration.
Your application for restoration must include:
- a completed restoration form
- the Board's approval letter confirming currency of knowledge
- the renewal and restoration fees.
Application forms for restoration
Complete the following forms to restore your registration:
Restoration fees
Your fee depends on which registrations you are restoring and renewing:
- restoring and renewing Patent Attorney incorporated registration only – $800 ($450 renewal fee and $350 restoration fee)
- restoring and renewing Trade Marks Attorney incorporated registration only – $800 ($450 renewal fee and $350 restoration fee)
- restoring one (Patent or Trade Marks) and renewing both Patent and Trade Marks incorporated registrations – $1,000 ($650 renewal fee and 1x $350 restoration fee)
- restoring and renewing both Patent and Trade Marks incorporated registrations – $1,350 ($650 renewal fee and 2x $350 restoration fees).