For how long is a patent protected?

In Australia, the term of patent protection depends on the type of patent. The term of protection is measured from the priority date (i.e. the application date). 

Type of Patent	Length of patent protection
Standard Patent	20 years
Innovation Patent	8 years
Pharmaceutical Patents	Up to 25 years*

_{* Pharmaceutical patents do not automatically receive a 25-year term. Instead, the inventor can apply for an extension of the regular 20-year term in certain cases. Basically, an extension may be granted for up to 5 years if commercialisation of a patented pharmaceutical substance has been held up due to processes for regulatory approval. In Australia, pharmaceutical substances need to be included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods before they can be sold, but this process can take time.}