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If your business deals with goods or services and is thinking about registering a trademark, it is important that you understand the trademark classes in Australia. In 2025, with the market continually evolving and digital commerce on the rise, having a clear grasp of these classes remains a key element in protecting your brand.
As a business owner, entrepreneur or innovator, knowing how to correctly register your trademark is imperative – it not only secures exclusive rights to your brand assets but also strengthens your market position in today’s competitive environment. For further guidance on this process, you might want to read our business set up resources.
There are 45 trademark classes in Australia, all designed to cover the broad range of goods and services available. Let’s break them down in detail.
First Up, What Is A Trademark?
A trademark is much more than just a logo – it is a unique identifier that distinguishes your business’s goods or services from those of your competitors.
It protects your brand by granting you exclusive rights to use, license and sell your mark, thereby preventing others from capitalising on your reputation. For a deeper understanding of intellectual property differences, check out our trademark vs copyright guide.
Contrary to popular belief, a trademark is not just a logo. A trademark can be a:
- Logo
- Letter
- Number
- Word
- Phrase
- Sound
- Smell
- Shape
- Picture
- Movement
- Type of packaging
A trademark can also be a combination of the above elements.
Some other important points to note about trademarks include:
- A trademark is not a business name, company name or domain name.
- A trademark is not a design. For example, the flying kangaroo on the tail of Qantas is a trademark, not merely a design element.
- Trademarks must be actively used – if unused, they may be removed to prevent registration solely for speculative purposes.
Some examples of popular trademarks include:
- The Vegemite logo
- The R.M. Williams logo
- The ABC logo
- The Weetbix cereal box
- The Google logo
- The Nike tick
Trademark Classes in Australia
Australia continues to maintain its 45 trademark classes, now divided into two broad categories:
- Goods: Classes 1 – 34
- Services: Classes 35 – 45
In accordance with Intellectual Property Australia, each trademark class is detailed below. This comprehensive breakdown is essential for ensuring that you apply for protection under the correct category. For additional insights, you might also find our guide to starting a business from home useful when setting up your new venture in 2025.
Goods
| Class 1 | This class applies to chemicals for use in: • Industry, science and photography • Agriculture, horticulture and forestry |
| Class 2 | This class includes: • Paints, varnishes, lacquers • Preparations for use as coatings, both decorative and protective |
| Class 3 | Class 3 includes: • Cosmetics and perfumes • Personal hygiene items (non-medical) and general cleaning preparations |
| Class 4 | This class relates to goods such as: • Industrial oils, greases and lubricants • Fuels, illuminating and scented substances, including candles and wicks |
| Class 5 | Class 5 covers a wide range of goods, particularly those relating to: • Pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary preparations • Baby diapers, dietary supplements and infant food and beverages • Sanitary items for medical purposes and disinfectants |
| Class 6 | This class deals with unworked and semi-worked common metals, alloys and ores. |
| Class 7 | Includes power-driven machines, machine tools, motors and engines. |
| Class 8 | Class 8 comprises hand-held tools used for tasks such as drilling, shaping, cutting and piercing. Examples include hammers, non-electric drills and chisels. |
| Class 9 | This class includes electronic equipment, scientific instruments, IT products, safety equipment and computer software. |
| Class 10 | Encompasses surgical, medical, dental and veterinary instruments, prosthetic devices and supportive bandages. |
| Class 11 | Relates to goods such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, freezing equipment, lightbulbs and lamp shades. |
| Class 12 | This class covers machines used for transport of people, animals or objects by land, air or water – for example, aeroplanes, bicycles and cars. |
| Class 13 | Includes firearms, ammunition, explosives and pyrotechnical products. |
| Class 14 | Class 14 is dedicated to jewellery, watches, clocks and stopwatches. |
| Class 15 | This class covers musical instruments, their parts and accessories. |
| Class 16 | Involves paper, cardboard, books and materials for printing and bookbinding. |
| Class 17 | Includes goods used for insulation and items like fireproof seals, heat insulating materials and metallic foils. |
| Class 18 | Encompasses goods for the transport of personal items, such as suitcases, walking sticks and umbrellas. |
| Class 19 | This class includes non-metallic building materials such as stone, cement, marble, glass, plaster, as well as cement blocks and concrete fences. |
| Class 20 | Relates to furniture – including beds, cabinets, desks – as well as mattresses and pillow cases. |
| Class 21 | Encompasses containers and small hand-operated utensils for household and kitchen use, including dishes, bowls and drinking glasses (note: cutlery falls under Class 8). |
| Class 22 | This class is for textile materials such as cotton, wool and string. |
| Class 23 | Includes yarns, threads and rubber/elastic threads used for textile purposes. |
| Class 24 | Contains fabrics intended for traditional textile uses – for example, curtains, flags, handkerchiefs and wall hangings. |
| Class 25 | Covers clothing, footwear and headgear. |
| Class 26 | Includes lace, embroidery, ribbons, various pins (such as lapel pins), artificial flowers, hair decorations and false hair. |
| Class 27 | Relates to floor coverings and wallpapers. Note that items like tiles intended for building may fall under Class 19 instead. |
| Class 28 | This class includes games, sporting instruments and even Christmas trees. |
| Class 29 | Encompasses food products of animal or vegetable origin that have been prepared or preserved, but does not include fresh vegetables (which are in Class 31). Meat, milk and dried foods fall here. |
| Class 30 | Includes plant-origin products such as coffee, tea, rice and grains. Foods like pizza and sandwiches are classified here, as dough and bread are the dominant ingredients. |
| Class 31 | Encompasses agricultural products not prepared for human consumption, live animals and plants, as well as natural flowers and trees. |
| Class 32 | This class covers non-alcoholic beverages (except milk, tea, coffee, and chocolate-based drinks). The only alcoholic beverage included is beer. |
| Class 33 | All alcoholic beverages other than beer are categorised under Class 33. |
| Class 34 | Includes tobacco and tobacco-based products, matches, lighters, ashtrays and e-cigarettes. |
Services
| Class 35 | Includes advertising, business management, organisational and administrative services, and office functions. |
| Class 36 | Covers financial, monetary, banking and insurance services, as well as real estate affairs. |
| Class 37 | Encompasses construction, installation, repair services, mining, and oil and gas drilling. |
| Class 38 | Relates to telecommunication services. |
| Class 39 | Includes transport, packaging and storage of goods, as well as travel arrangements. |
| Class 40 | Covers treatment of materials, recycling of waste and trash, and food and drink preservation. |
| Class 41 | Relates to education, training, entertainment, sporting and cultural activities. |
| Class 42 | Includes scientific and technological services, design and development of computer hardware and software, as well as quality control and authentication services. |
| Class 43 | Covers food and drink services and temporary accommodation. |
| Class 44 | Encompasses medical services, veterinary services, hygienic and beauty care, and various agricultural-related services. |
| Class 45 | Relates to legal services, security services for protecting property and individuals, and personal social services for those in need. |
Each trademark class is very specific, and sometimes a product or service might appear to fit into one category when it actually falls into another. It is essential to thoroughly review the relevant descriptions and, if necessary, consult with a professional to ensure you’re registering under the correct class. In today’s digital landscape of 2025, precise classification not only fortifies your legal protection but also aids in avoiding costly disputes in the future.
A great example of this is beer – while many assume it falls under the alcoholic beverages category (Class 33), beer is actually classified in Class 32 alongside non-alcoholic beverages.
When determining which class your trademark falls within, it is important to be vigilant. For more details on each trademark class, please visit Intellectual Property Australia. You can also explore our comprehensive guide on starting a business in Australia to ensure your overall legal setup is robust.
Need More Help?
Knowing which trademark class your good or service falls into is crucial to ensure that you correctly register and utilise your trademark – a step that is even more vital in the fast-paced market of 2025.
In today’s digital age, registering your trademark supports not only physical product protection but also safeguards your online presence. If you’re still unsure about which class your trademark falls into, our expert team is here to help. We can assist you with robust trademark registration and guide you through the entire process. Additionally, if you require advice on general business set up, please visit our Business Set Up section or our guide to starting a business from home.
If you’re worried that you still don’t know which class your trademark falls into, we’re here to help. Our experienced lawyers specialise in intellectual property protection and can also offer broader business advice through resources like our Small Business Lawyers page. Reach out to our team for a free, no-obligation chat at team@sprintlaw.com.au or call 1800 730 61.
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