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Trade Mark Classes: A Guide to the 45 Categories

Jurisdiction: Australia. Reviewed 27 October 2026.

The Nice Classification organises trade mark goods and services into 45 classes: goods in 1–34 and services in 35–45. The classification is updated, so old class lists should not be used as filing specifications without checking the current terms.

How to choose

Describe the actual goods or services you supply and use IP Australia’s classification tools. A class number is not protection for everything within that class. You may need several classes, and generally cannot broaden a filed application by adding new goods or services.

A brief orientation to the 45 classes

These are shorthand examples, not official class headings or a complete list of permitted terms.

  1. Industrial chemicals
  2. Paints and coatings
  3. Cosmetics and cleaners
  4. Oils and fuels
  5. Pharmaceuticals
  6. Common metals
  7. Machines
  8. Hand tools
  9. IT and scientific equipment
  10. Medical apparatus
  11. Lighting and heating
  12. Vehicles
  13. Firearms
  14. Jewellery and watches
  15. Musical instruments
  16. Stationery and printed matter
  17. Insulation materials
  18. Leather and luggage
  19. Non-metal building materials
  20. Furniture
  21. Household utensils
  22. Ropes and tents
  23. Yarns
  24. Textiles
  25. Clothing
  26. Haberdashery
  27. Floor coverings
  28. Games and sports equipment
  29. Processed foods
  30. Coffee and cereals
  31. Agricultural produce
  32. Beer and non-alcoholic drinks
  33. Alcohol except beer
  34. Tobacco
  35. Advertising and business
  36. Finance and property
  37. Construction and repair
  38. Telecommunications
  39. Transport and storage
  40. Material treatment
  41. Education and entertainment
  42. Science and software services
  43. Food and accommodation
  44. Medical and agricultural services
  45. Legal and security services

Picklist and custom wording

The picklist provides accepted descriptions. Custom wording may need closer examination; it is not automatically inappropriate. Select terms that fit the business rather than simply choosing the widest possible class.

Check conflicts separately

Different class numbers do not automatically remove infringement risk. Similarity, related goods or services, reputation and statutory provisions can matter. Classification is one part of application planning, not a registration guarantee.

Sources and further reading

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