What we've done
We've undertaken a number of activities to help improve our PBR system.
Case studies
We've heard that real life case studies can be helpful for people to understand the benefits of a PBR, and how it can apply to their business. To help you gain a greater insight into what they are and how they work, we've created some engaging case studies as educational resources.
PBR Search
In May 2023 we launched a new look and feel Australian PBR Search.
List of reform activities
The following tabs explore various reports and activities we've undertaken as part of the PBR reform program. We encourage you to explore the details of the activity including reports and summaries.
In April 2025 we updated the PBR Manual of Practice and Procedure, replacing the old version. Since then, we have continued to update the manual to support ongoing improvements to PBR services and processes.
The new PBR Manual provides clear and detailed guidance for IP Australia staff examining PBR applications, helping to improve the consistency and efficiency of examination services.
It includes practical examples of PBR principles and serves as a consolidated source of technical information for IP rights professionals. The manual is actively maintained and is updated as PBR processes, systems and guidance evolve.
In 2022 we commissioned reports to explore the evidence base for changes to the PBR legislation.
Purpose: The reports cover the following topic areas:
- information notice scheme
- exhaustion of PBR
- harvested material
- labelling requirements
- plant variety names and synonyms
- essentially derived varieties (EDVs).
Released: 2022.
Workshops with Qualified Persons
In November and December 2022, more than 40 Qualified Persons (QPs) attended workshops with us to discuss the current processes in PBR and ideas for the future.
Read the workshop outcomes and findings report
The report presents the findings from workshops that were focused on testing our research findings directly with QPs, capturing feedback and perspectives from QPs, and working with them to explore ideas for the future.
In November 2025, more than 70 QPs attended workshops with us to discuss current PBR processes, receive training and guidance, and explore future improvements to PBR digital services.
The workshops provided training and information for QP, shared key updates on PBR reforms, and sought feedback on proposed digital service improvements, including a proof of concept for the new QP portal.
Read the QP training and information workshops November 2025.
Between October 2021 and early January 2022, we held 70 interviews with people and businesses directly involved in plant breeding or playing a role in the broader plant breeding ecosystem.
At the same time, the team had another 30 targeted conversations with people and organisations who had different connections with the PBR system.
- Purpose: The report provides a snapshot of the feedback and consultation, summarising a wide variety of perspectives and concerns.
- Released: 2022.
We partnered with Swinburne University's Centre for Transformative Innovation to conduct research about the economic impact of PBR. The research found:
- Purpose: We wanted to get a better understanding of the users of Australia's PBR system and economic impact of PBR.
- Released: 2022.
We partnered again with Swinburne University’s Centre for Transformative Innovation to conduct a survey focused on the costs of pursuing a PBR and how PBR incentivises investment and commercialisation of new plant varieties.
- Purpose: Understanding the economic impact of plant breeder's rights in Australia and review the costs and economic benefits of PBRs in Australia (summary).
- Released: 2023.
The report of this study and a visual summary, are now available.
In 2022 we commissioned reports to explore the evidence base for changes to the PBR legislation.
Purpose: The reports cover the following topic areas:
- information notice scheme
- exhaustion of PBR
- harvested material
- labelling requirements
- plant variety names and synonyms
- essentially derived varieties (EDVs).
Released: 2022.
Between October 2021 and early January 2022, we held 70 interviews with people and businesses directly involved in plant breeding or playing a role in the broader plant breeding ecosystem.
At the same time, the team had another 30 targeted conversations with people and organisations who had different connections with the PBR system.
- Purpose: The report provides a snapshot of the feedback and consultation, summarising a wide variety of perspectives and concerns.
- Released: 2022.
Director General’s Australasian Plant Breeding Conference speech
Watch our Director General, Michael Schwager, present a review of PBR, intellectual property and the agricultural economy at the 2022 conference.
What we are working towards
There is a lot of work to do!
We're continuing to make improvements to your overall experience with us. This includes reviewing and improving our forms and correspondence and the way we communicate with you throughout the PBR application, grant and renewal processes. As we progress, we’ll continue to focus our work on:
- administration of the PBR system
- forms and correspondence
- improving the customer experience
- updating information technology systems
- PBR education and awareness.
We’d like to thank all our stakeholders that have engaged with us and contributed to the research phase of our reform program. Your involvement has helped shape our research and reform priorities moving forward.
If you’d like to learn more about our PBR work, get in touch with our PBR reform team.