10 New Things to Know Before You Register .au Domain Names

.au domain extension is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) specifically for Australia. The .au namespaces are managed by the au Domain Administration (auDA) on behalf of the Australian Government. As of July 2018, the domain registry is operated by Afilias.



Before you register Australian Domain Names, there are a few things you need to know. Here are the top ten:



Australian citizens can register a .au domain directly at the second level, for example, yourname.au. If you have an existing second-level domain name, such as yourname.com.au or yourname.net.au (e.g., .net .org, .com.au, etc.), you can add the .au to it and create a shorter version of your own website address that is more memorable for customers as yourname.au.



2. You can register through one of the participating auDA-authorised registrars.

If you want to register your Australian Domain, you can do so through one of the many participating registrars. A list of authorised registrars can be found on the auDA website. When choosing a registrar, it's important to compare prices and services to find one that best suits your needs.

3. This is the most significant innovation in .au in more than 20 years.

The introduction of Australian Domain Names is the most significant innovation since the launch of com.au in 1986. It provides Australians with a more memorable and shorter web address that is easier to brand and promote.



4. It allows for shorter, more straightforward .au domains. 

It enables the registration of shorter and more straightforward .au namespaces. This is especially beneficial for an Australian business that wants to create a more memorable web address for its customers. Some examples of shorter .au namespaces include yourname.au, mysite.au, or ourcompany.au.



5. Everyone with an Australian Presence is welcome to use the .au domain.

The Australian Domain names are only available to Australian businesses and individuals (Australian citizens, Persons with an Australian passport, Permanent Residents, or registered companies in Australia.) An Australian presence is a connection to Australia. Having an Australian presence is a key requirement for any person or organisation who wants to hold .au namespaces. You can further see more info about "Australian Presence" here.



6. A great alternative for entrepreneurs and new online businesses.

The .au domains are also helpful for entrepreneurs, non-commercial organisations, and new businesses online. Whether you're starting a business from scratch or an existing business that's looking to rebrand or refresh your online presence, having .au at the end of your domain name focuses on Australian customers and builds consumer trust. It will act as a stamp of credibility and trust as Australians and increase your brand's validity.



7. It complements current Australian domains rather than replacing them.

The .au domain name complements existing Australian domains such as com.au net.au and is not intended to replace them. If you have existing domain names like com.au or net.au, you can keep them and add the domain ending for your safety. Registering for the new .au domain names ensure that you own your business domain and avoid potential confusion amongst other companies or prospective clients.



8. .au is now on par with its foreign peers.

The .au domain names put Australia on par with other countries that have already introduced similar second-level .au names, for example, .uk for the United Kingdom, .nz for New Zealand, .ca for Canada, .cn for China and more. It also provides Australians with a more competitive edge in the global marketplace.



9. All .au direct domains with an existing and exact matching “.au domain” follow the priority allocation process.

All .au direct domains that correspond to an existing .au domain will be put on a 6-month “Priority Hold” from the 24 of March 2022 until the 20 of September 2022 to allow the registrant of an existing “.au domain” to apply for “Priority Status” to register the exact matching .au direct domain (6-month Priority Allocation Period). This allows your business to use to register its existing domain name as a “.au direct domain” before it becomes generally available to the general public. Please take note that companies or organizations that are registered to do work in Australia and with an Australian business number or an Australian company number can register the .au domain names on a first-come, first-served basis.

10. Check the status of domain names.

Before you register a domain name, the common practice is to do a domain search status to ensure that it's available. You can find it when you search through the WHOIS database. If the domain name is available, you can proceed with registration. If the domain name is already registered, you will need to contact the current registrant to see if they are willing to sell the domain name to you.



What are some valuable tips for registering AU domain names?

Now that you know the basics of registering a .au version, here are a few valuable tips to keep in mind:

• When choosing a domain name, try to keep it short, memorable, and easy to spell.
• Avoid using hyphens or numbers in your domain name.
• Consider registering multiple domain names to protect your brand.
• Use a reputable and accredited registrar, for example, GoDaddy, to avoid scams.
• Be sure to read the auDA policy on .au direct names registration before proceeding.

By following these tips, you can be sure that you're registering your .au names in the best way possible.

.AU Domain Administration is a new domain for Australia that offers many benefits for organisations, entrepreneurs, and individuals.

Love My Online Marketing has registered as well, so we'll also be lovemyonlinemarketing.au.

We're excited about this change, and so should you be! If you have any questions or queries, please don't hesitate to contact us. Book a discovery call now. We'd be more than happy to assist.