Both areas are supported by strong local research expertise and significant public investment. In each case, strategic patent filings can help attract partners and funding, and translate research into a competitive market position.
Global Scene: ICs Dominate
The semiconductor industry encompasses a wide array of technologies including, e.g. sensors, LEDs, and PV, all of which rely on semiconductor materials. However, the word semiconductor is often used interchangeably with microchip or integrated circuit, reflecting its dominant role in the semiconductor industry.
Internationally, the top semiconductor-related patent classification groups (IPCs) over the past decade are overwhelmingly integrated circuit (IC)-specific, with only a few covering broader optoelectronics such as OLEDs. This mirrors market dynamics in which IC-based technologies account for the majority of the semiconductor sector.
The leading patent applicants globally are mostly IC-fabrication companies (“foundries”) and equipment suppliers. Taiwan-based TSMC, a pure-play foundry that manufactures chips for customers such as Apple and NVIDIA, is the top filer in the semiconductor space. Other top filers include vertically integrated players like Samsung and IBM. This concentration is likely driven by the extraordinary complexity and cost of modern IC fabrication which constrain innovation to a small cohort of global players, leading to steady but modest growth in filing volumes.
Australia: PV and quantum stand out
Against this background, it is unsurprising that Australia is not a primary destination for IC-centric filings. Instead, two themes dominate local semiconductor-related patents: photovoltaics and quantum (and quantum-adjacent) technologies.
Photovoltaics
Top patent applicants in the semiconductor space in Australia are mostly Chinese PV manufacturers (e.g., Jinko, Trina, Longi), with US based Maxeon and SunPower also visible. This pattern is consistent with a China-centric global supply chain across polysilicon, wafers, cells, and modules.[1] CSIRO, the only local applicant among the top 20, ranks 18th and holds a sizeable patent portfolio, a significant portion of which is PV-related.
Australia is a key destination market for PV-patents for several reasons. Firstly, Australia has a large PV market, with one of the highest rooftop solar installations per capita and a growing utility-scale PV sector.[2] Furthermore, Australia’s strong research heritage in PV (led by institutions such as UNSW, ANU, and CSIRO) has created deep industry research ties with Chinese manufacturers. Finally, PV has been and remains a priority technology area for the Australian government. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) alone has invested over A$1 billion in PV research from 2012–2025,[3] while the Federal Government’s A$1 billion Solar SunShot program (announced March 2024) aims to seed local supply chains.[4]
Even with limited domestic manufacturing today, the strong market demand, research excellence and public investment in PV technologies support continued strategic patent filing for gaining leverage in collaborations, licensing and negotiations.
Quantum technologies
A smaller but emerging area of patent activity within the semiconductor space in Australia is quantum computing. Notably, leading global innovators, including IBM, Microsoft, Google and Northrop Grumman, appear among the top Australian filers in semiconductor-related IPCs.
Quantum technologies (e.g. communication, sensing and computing) are enabled by traditional semiconductor technologies. For example, many qubits are semiconductor-based (e.g. silicon, diamond), and all quantum systems must interface with classical electronics and photonic circuits. This interdependence makes semiconductors central to quantum applications.
Australia has considerable presence in the global quantum landscape.[5] Similar to PV, quantum technology in Australia is supported by a strong research base (there are currently 60+ active research groups across various quantum domains).[6] Over recent years, there has also been significant public investment,[7] including A$940 million for PsiQuantum by the Federal and Queensland Governments, and National Reconstruction Fund support for local companies such as Silicon Quantum Computing, QuintessenceLabs and Quantum Brilliance.[8]
As this sector continues to evolve, a strong patent position can help innovators signal credibility to potential partners and strengthen the case for investment and long-term partnerships.
Conclusion
Globally, innovations in the semiconductor industry remain dominated by IC, with advancements concentrated among a handful of leading foundries and equipment makers. In contrast, the Australian semiconductor landscape is dominated by photovoltaics and quantum technologies. In both areas, local research expertise and public investment create real opportunities for commercial impact where proactive patent filings can play an integral role.
[1] https://arena.gov.au/assets/2024/02/APVI-Silicon-to-Solar-Detailed-Report.pdf
[2] https://www.csiro.au/en/research/natural-environment/critical-minerals/australian-silicon-action-plan
[3] https://arena.gov.au/arena-at-a-glance/
[4] https://arena.gov.au/funding/solar-sunshot/
[5] https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/state-australian-quantum-report-2024/measures-success
[6] https://international.austrade.gov.au/en/news-and-analysis/publications-and-reports/quantum-technology-industry-capability
[7] https://international.austrade.gov.au/en/news-and-analysis/publications-and-reports/quantum-technology-industry-capability
