Gene Patent Laws in Australia

Current Patents Act introduced

Oct 1, 1990

Read the full Act here.

Australian Law Reform Commission report on gene patenting and health

Jun 29, 2004

The report said the Patents Act should not be changed to ban patents on genetic materials but suggested amendments so ethical considerations can be taken into account when granting patents.

Australian Council on Intellectual Property report

Oct 13, 2005

This report suggested a new exception to patent law for experimental uses.

Genetic Technologies tries to enforce patents over diagnostic cancer tests

Jul 11, 2008

Genetic Technologies tried to prevent hospitals and laboratories using the BRCA test for cancer. After public outcry, they withdrew their claim.

Patent Amendment (Human Genes and Biological Material) Bill introduced

Nov 24, 2010

Read the bill here.

Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into Patent Amendment (Human Genes and Biological Material) Bill

Nov 26, 2010

This inquiry was launched after concerns were raised that the bill was too broad and would have unintended side effects.

Australian Council on Intellectual Property report on Patentable Subject Matter

Dec 23, 2010

This report suggested amendments to the Patents Act so it would balance the competing interests of patent holders, people who use patented technology and Australian society as a whole.

'Raising the Bar' Bill introduced

Jun 22, 2011

This is a new attempt to amend the Patent Act so that discoveries are not patented but inventions are. Read the bill here.

Senate inquiry rejects Human Genes and Biological Material Bill

Sep 21, 2011

Read the report here.