Commonwealth Numbered Regulations

1991 No. 71 PATENTS REGULATIONS - REG 3.16

3.16 (1) For the purposes of subsection 44 (2) of the Act ("request for
examination"), the following grounds are prescribed:

   (a)  that the Commissioner reasonably considers it expedient to give the
        direction having regard to the progress made in the examination of
        applications filed before the filing date of the application
        concerned;

   (b)  that the Commissioner reasonably considers it to be in the public
        interest to give the direction;

   (c)  that the Commissioner reasonably considers it expedient to give the
        direction, having regard to the examination of another application for
        a standard patent or the consideration of an application for a petty
        patent.

(2) For the purposes of subsection 44 (2) of the Act, the prescribed period is
6 months from the day on which the direction was given.

(3) A direction must be given in writing and state the grounds on which it is
given.