About .au domain
.au is a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Australia, managed by the .au Domain Administration (auDA) as a not-for-profit, self-regulatory body. It was delegated in 1986 and operates under policy developed with input from the Australian internet community and industry. The registry services are operated by Afilias, and the domain is sold to the public through a competitive network of accredited registrars. A significant policy change in March 2022 allowed for registrations directly at the second level (e.g., example.au) alongside the traditional third-level categories.
Who can register .au domain
Registration is restricted to individuals and organizations with a verifiable Australian presence. Eligible entities include Australian citizens or permanent residents, companies registered in Australia, holders of an Australian Business Number (ABN), and owners of an Australian trademark. Different second-level categories have specific eligibility rules; for instance, .com.au is for commercial entities, .org.au for non-profits, and .id.au for individuals. Closed namespaces like .gov.au and .edu.au are allocated only to government bodies and educational institutions, respectively.
How to register .au domain
- Search for availability: Use a registrar's search tool to check if your desired .au domain name is free, remembering you can search for both direct second-level names (.au) and third-level names (like .com.au). Ensure the name aligns with the eligibility rules for your chosen namespace.
- Select a registrar and term: Compare prices, customer service, and bundled features (like email hosting) from different auDA-accredited registrars. Choose your registration term, which is typically a minimum of one year, and decide on optional add-ons such as WHOIS privacy if offered.
- Complete the registration: Proceed to checkout, providing accurate registrant contact details. You will be required to declare and may need to provide evidence of your Australian presence, such as an ABN or proof of residency, to satisfy the registry's eligibility checks.
- Configure and manage: After payment, verify your contact email to activate the domain. Finally, log into your registrar account to configure essential DNS settings, such as nameservers, to point your new .au domain to your website or email service.
Typical uses of .au domain
The .au extension is predominantly used by entities operating within or targeting the Australian market, establishing a clear local identity. Businesses of all sizes, from large corporations to local shops, heavily utilize .com.au for commercial websites, while non-profit organizations and charities commonly use .org.au. Individuals and community groups also register .id.au and geographic namespaces (like .nsw.au) for personal or locally-focused sites. The introduction of the shorter .au direct names in 2022 provided a modern, concise alternative for these users, complementing the existing structured namespace.
Tips for registering .au domain
- Registrations must be for a minimum of one year, and you can typically register for up to ten years in advance, though policies may vary by registrar.
- The .au namespace has strict rules against domain name monetization (e.g., warehousing for resale) in several categories, including .org.au, .asn.au, .id.au, and .edu.au.
- WHOIS privacy services may be available through some registrars, but your eligibility information (Australian presence) must remain accurate and verifiable by the registry.
- Disputes over .au domain names are governed by the
.au Dispute Resolution Policy (auDRP), a process adapted from the UDRP but specific to the Australian namespace.
Frequently asked questions about .au domain
How much does it cost to register and renew a .au domain?
As of today, .au domains start from $8.36/yr on NameBeta, with prices ranging up to $95.40/yr across 14 registrars. See the registrar comparison table on this page for live prices.Which registrars support .au domains?
NameBeta tracks 14 registrars that support .au domain registration, with the cheapest option at $8.36/yr. Full list on this page.Who operates .au domain?
The registry for .au domains is auDA, administered by .au Domain Administration (auDA).
Who can register a .au domain?
Registration is open to individuals and entities with a verifiable Australian presence. This includes Australian citizens, permanent residents, companies registered in Australia, and organizations holding an Australian Business Number (ABN). Foreign companies licensed to trade in Australia and holders of an Australian trademark for the exact domain name they wish to register are also eligible. Different second-level categories (like .com.au or .org.au) have additional, specific rules about the registrant's purpose or entity type.
Can I transfer a .au domain between registrars?
You can transfer a .au domain between accredited registrars, which is often initiated by unlocking the domain at your current registrar and obtaining an authorization code. The transfer process itself does not extend the registration term by a full year; instead, it typically adds one year to the existing expiry date upon completion. It's important to ensure the domain is not within 60 days of its initial registration or a previous transfer, as it may be locked, and to confirm that your new registrar supports the specific .au second-level namespace your domain uses.
What are the "Australian presence" requirements?
To satisfy the Australian presence requirement, an individual must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. For organizations, they must be incorporated in Australia, hold an ABN, or be a registered charity, political party, or partnership under Australian law. Alternatively, an applicant can rely on an Australian trademark registration, but only for a domain name that is an exact match of the trademarked words. Registrants must maintain this eligibility throughout the domain's registration period.
What is the difference between .com.au and the new .au direct names?
.com.au is a specific second-level category intended for commercial entities, requiring the domain name to be closely connected to the registrant's business name or trademark. The newer .au direct namespace (e.g., yourname.au) is open to any eligible registrant with an Australian presence, without the need for the name to match a specific business or organizational category. It offers a shorter, more generic alternative. Existing holders of matching third-level names (like yourname.com.au) were given priority to register the corresponding .au name during its launch period.
What happens if I no longer meet the eligibility requirements?
Maintaining ongoing eligibility is a condition of holding a .au domain license. If you cease to meet the Australian presence requirements—for example, if a company's Australian registration lapses or an individual moves overseas without permanent residency—you are obligated to notify your registrar and may be required to cancel the domain registration. The registry and registrars have policies to address non-compliance, which could ultimately lead to the suspension or cancellation of the domain name.
Can I register a .au domain if I only have an Australian trademark?
Yes, ownership of an Australian trademark can establish the required Australian presence, but with a key limitation. You may only register a domain name that is an exact match of the words protected by your trademark (excluding the domain suffix, spaces, and punctuation). This trademark-based eligibility is specifically outlined in the .au Domain Administration Rules: Licensing and is valid for registrations across the open .au namespaces, provided all other relevant rules for the chosen category are also met.
