Intellectual property management in WA Health

Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the human intellect, the rights to which are protectable by law, and that can have financial value.

IP is recognised as an intangible asset that can potentially be exploited for economic benefit. As such, it aligns with the WA Health Financial Management Manual definition of an asset as being a resource controlled by a WA Health entity, from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the health entity. Future economic benefits can be in the form of cash, cash equivalents or the potential to provide goods and services to achieve the health entity’s objectives.

Policies

The revised WA Health Intellectual Property Policy (MP 0156/21) was released on 10 February 2025. The policy specifies processes that must be followed for the management of IP by WA health system entities (Health Service Providers and the Department of Health).

The Western Australian Government intellectual property policy 2023 (external site) provides guidance to WA Government agencies in relation to the creation, protection, management, use and disposal of IP. This policy applies to activities utilising Western Australian Government resources which are undertaken by agencies and their employees, contractors, grant or funding recipients, researchers, collaborative organisations, and commercial bodies under the control of agencies.

Resources

The Western Australian Government Intellectual Property Policy: Agency Toolkit (external site) assists WA Government agencies in understanding and implementing the requirements of the WA Government IP Policy.

Following the revision of the WA Health Intellectual property policy in 2025, work is underway to develop a suite of resources to support staff in key aspects of IP management in the different entities of the WA health system, including a content review of existing IP webpages. In the interim, general queries related to the management of IP in the WA health system can be directed to the Office of Medical Research and Innovation. 

More information

Office of Medical Research and Innovation
Email: DOH.OMRI@health.wa.gov.au
Postal address:
Office of Medical Research and Innovation
Department of Health
PO Box 8172
Perth Business Centre 6849