Trademark Classes Cheat Sheet: Picking the Right Nice Classification for Your Product or Service

By Hollie Ford · 2026-04-07

There are 45 trademark classes under the Nice Classification system used in Australia — Classes 1–34 cover goods and Classes 35–45 cover services. To file a trademark application with IP Australia, you must nominate at least one class and list the specific goods or services your mark will protect within that class. Choosing the wrong class (or missing a critical one) can leave your brand exposed or result in a rejected application, so getting this step right from the start saves time, money, and legal headaches.

For a comprehensive overview, see our How to Register a Trademark in Australia.

TL;DR

• Australia uses the Nice Classification system (currently the 12th edition), which divides all goods and services into 45 classes — 34 for goods and 11 for services.
• You must nominate at least one class when filing a trademark application with IP Australia, and each additional class incurs an extra government fee.
• Most product-based businesses need 1–3 classes; choosing too few leaves gaps in protection, while choosing too many wastes money.
• The class you need is determined by what you sell or do — not what industry you're in or what your business name is.
• Common traps include filing in the wrong class entirely, using descriptions that are too broad or too narrow, and forgetting to cover future product lines.
• IP Australia's TM Headstart service can flag classification issues early, but it is not a substitute for strategic advice on class selection.
• This cheat sheet provides a plain-English summary of all 45 classes with real-world Australian product and service examples to help you self-assess before engaging a trademarks professional.

Not sure which classes you need? Get in touch with our team for a quick, obligation-free conversation about your filing strategy.

Context

Why trademark classes exist

When you apply to register a trademark in Australia, you are not simply protecting a name or logo in the abstract. You are claiming exclusive rights to use that mark in connection with specific goods or services. Trademark classes are the framework that organises those goods and services into standardised categories, so that IP Australia — and every other trademark office in the world — can assess, search, and register marks consistently.

Australia adopted the Nice Classification (named after the 1957 Nice Agreement) as its official system. The current 12th edition groups every conceivable product and service into 45 classes. This is the same system used in over 150 countries, which means getting your classification right in Australia also lays the groundwork for any future international filings.

Why this matters for product business owners

If you manufacture candles, your trademark belongs in Class 4 (candles and wax). If you also sell candle-making kits as an educational workshop, that service falls in Class 41 (education and training). Miss the second class and a competitor could legally offer workshops under your exact brand name.

"Classification is where I see the most expensive mistakes," says Hollie Ford, Registered Trade Mark Attorney (Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board). "A business owner files in one class based on a guess, pays the government fee, waits months — and then discovers their core product line isn't even covered. Fixing it means a fresh application with fresh fees and a later priority date."

The real cost of getting it wrong

The consequences of poor class selection include:

• Gaps in protection — competitors can use an identical or confusingly similar mark in the classes you failed to cover.
• Wasted fees — each additional class adds to IP Australia's government fee, so filing in classes you don't need is money down the drain.
• Delayed registration — incorrect or overly broad class descriptions trigger examination objections, adding months to the process.
• Weaker enforcement — if you ever need to oppose a competitor's mark or take action against an infringer, your rights only extend to the classes on your registration certificate.

This guide exists to bridge the gap between IP Australia's official (and often dense) classification resources and the practical decisions a product business owner needs to make before filing.

The Resource

The table below is a plain-English summary of all 45 Nice Classes with real-world examples relevant to Australian product and service businesses. Use it as a starting point to identify which classes may apply to your business — then confirm your selection with a trademarks professional before you file.

Goods classes (Classes 1–34)

Services classes (Classes 35–45)

A note from Hollie Ford: "If you sell physical products and offer services like workshops, consulting, or online courses, you almost certainly need classes in both the goods and services sections. Don't assume a single class covers everything your business does."

Want to check your classification before you file? Book a free trademark search and we'll confirm exactly which classes and descriptions suit your business.

How to Use It

Identifying the right trademark classes for your business does not require a law degree, but it does require a methodical approach. Follow these four steps before you file.

Step 1: List everything you sell (and plan to sell)

Write down every product you currently sell and every service you currently provide. Then add any products or services you plan to launch in the next 2–3 years. Be specific — "skincare" is not enough. Break it down: cleanser, moisturiser, lip balm, body oil.

Why future plans matter: You cannot add new classes to an existing registration after it is granted. If you launch a clothing line 18 months after registering your skincare brand in Class 3 only, you will need a brand-new application (and fresh fees) to cover Class 25.

Step 2: Match each item to a class using the table above

Go through your list item by item and use the reference table to identify the most likely class. Some products seem obvious (clothing → Class 25), while others are deceptive:

• Downloadable recipe e-books → Class 9 (electronic publications), not Class 16 (printed matter)
• Protein powder marketed as a health supplement → Class 5 (dietary supplements), not Class 30 (food)
• A subscription box service → Class 35 (retail services) for the service element, plus the relevant goods class for the products inside

Step 3: Check for overlaps and traps

Review your shortlist for these common traps:

Step 4: Confirm with a professional before you file

Self-assessment is a powerful first step, but classification strategy involves nuances that are not visible in a summary table. A Registered Trade Mark Attorney can:

• Verify that your chosen class descriptions align with IP Australia's accepted terminology
• Identify classes you may have overlooked (e.g., Class 35 for online retail)
• Draft descriptions that are broad enough to protect you but specific enough to survive examination
• Advise whether a multi-class application or separate applications are more cost-effective for your situation

Understanding the fees

Your class selection directly affects the cost of your application. Here is a simplified fee overview based on IP Australia's current standard filing fees:

Fees shown are government fees only (GST-free) and are current as of the date of publication. Check IP Australia's fee schedule for the latest figures. Professional fees for attorney services are separate.

Most product businesses file in 1–3 classes, meaning total government fees typically range from $250 to $750 for a direct filing. Paying for a class you genuinely need is an investment; paying for a class you don't need is waste.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many trademark classes are there in Australia?

There are 45 trademark classes in Australia. Classes 1–34 cover goods (physical products) and Classes 35–45 cover services. Australia uses the internationally recognised Nice Classification system, currently in its 12th edition, which is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Which trademark class do I need for my product?

The class you need depends on what you actually sell, not your industry label. A skincare brand files in Class 3 (cosmetics). A skincare brand that also sells vitamins needs Class 3 and Class 5 (dietary supplements). Use the reference table above to match each of your products and services to a class, then confirm your selection with a Registered Trade Mark Attorney before filing.

Can I file a trademark in multiple classes at once?

Yes. IP Australia accepts multi-class applications, which means you can cover several classes in a single filing. Each additional class incurs an extra government fee (currently $250 for a direct standard application). A multi-class application receives one registration number, which can simplify administration — but a trademarks professional can advise whether multi-class or separate applications better suit your commercial strategy.

What happens if I file in the wrong class?

If you file in the wrong class, one of two things happens. IP Australia may raise an objection during examination, requiring you to amend or refile — adding weeks or months to your timeline. Alternatively, your application may proceed and be registered, but your registration will not actually cover the goods or services you intended to protect. In the second scenario, you effectively have a certificate that does not do what you need it to do, and you will need a fresh application to fix the gap.

Do I need Class 35 if I sell products online?

In many cases, yes. Class 35 covers retail services, including "the bringing together of goods for the benefit of others" — which describes what an online store does. If you only register the classes covering your physical products, you may leave your retail service unprotected. This is one of the most commonly overlooked classes for product-based businesses.

Can I add more classes after my trademark is registered?

No. Once a trademark is registered, you cannot add new classes or expand the scope of goods and services. You would need to file a new application covering the additional classes. This is why it is important to think about your product roadmap before your first filing — covering a future product line now is significantly cheaper than filing a second application later.

What is the difference between Class 29 and Class 30 for food products?

Class 29 covers processed foods — meat, fish, dairy, preserved fruits and vegetables, oils, and fats. Class 30 covers staple foods — coffee, tea, sugar, flour, bread, pastries, sauces, condiments, and spices. If your food business spans both categories (e.g., a gourmet brand selling both cheese and crackers), you will likely need both classes.

Should I use IP Australia's TM Headstart service?

TM Headstart is a pre-filing service offered by IP Australia that gives you an early indication of whether your trademark is likely to face objections. It can flag classification issues before you commit to a full application. However, TM Headstart is a preliminary assessment — it is not a substitute for strategic advice on class selection, description drafting, or broader brand protection strategy. Many business owners use TM Headstart in addition to professional advice, not instead of it.

Ready to protect your brand in the right classes? Enquire now to speak with Hollie Ford or our trademarks team about your filing strategy — no obligation, no jargon.

• How a Melbourne Food Startup Overcame a Provisional Refusal and Secured Their Trademark in 90 Days — A real-world example of how classification issues were resolved during examination.
• How Do I Overcome a Trademark Examination Objection Based on Lack of Distinctiveness? — What to do if IP Australia objects to your mark on distinctiveness grounds.
• Why This Product Business Owner Wishes They'd Registered Their Trademark 3 Years Earlier — The true cost of waiting to file.
• 7 Reasons DIY Trademark Applications Fail (And What to Do Instead) — Common filing mistakes and how to avoid them.
• How to Register a Trademark in France from Australia — Thinking about international expansion? Your Australian class selection lays the groundwork.

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This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Trademark classification can involve complex judgements that depend on your specific circumstances. We recommend consulting a Registered Trade Mark Attorney before making filing decisions. Signify IP is an Australian intellectual property firm. Hollie Ford is a Registered Trade Mark Attorney on the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board.