Comparing Australia and New Zealand trade mark process 

IP Australia and IPONZ have published a short report on the outcome of stage 1 of their study into the potential for aligning trade marks examination practices in the 2 countries. ... 

Stage 1 involved a study of 200 applications filed in both countries.

73.5% had the same outcome, 5% had different outcomes as a result of legislative or classification differences between the two countris and 21.5% would have had the same outcome if the two Offices had consulted during the examination.

As a result, a number of practices between the two Offices have been aligned.

There seems likely to be more of this in view of the MoU on harmonising business practices between our respective countries. 

IP Australia's report (pdf).