The New Normal
In the past, Australian businesses wanting to obtain a .com.au domain needed to have a business ABN, and to obtain a .org.au domain you needed to be a not-for-profit or charity organisation. However, with recent changes made by AuDA (Australian Domain Registration), all businesses, associations, and individuals who can show a local connection to Australia will be able to register an au domain name (also known as “the .au namespace”).
All businesses with an existing .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, .gov.au, or .edu.au domain will have until 20th September 2022 to reserve their equivalent .au website domain before it becomes open to the public.
The change aims to bring Australia up to speed with other countries like United Kingdom (.uk), Canada (.ca), USA (.us), and NZ (.nz), which have already made their relevant namespaces available. This update provides a wider choice of available names, allowing for shorter and more memorable domains that are easier to type and display on mobile devices.
Why Change To A .au Direct Namespace?
In today's competitive business environment, companies need to leverage all available tools to stay ahead. Many businesses see the .au namespace as a mark of authenticity and credibility.
To register an au domain name, businesses must meet AuDA's eligibility criteria, proving their local connection to Australia. This ensures that the .au website domain builds recognition and legitimacy while forming an essential part of a strong digital strategy.
Offering a shorter, more memorable name for your online identity could be the key to gaining customers. Securing your .au website domain during the priority period ensures that no other business can take it in September. From 20th September, .au domain registrations will be open to the general public, meaning that anyone can register their business under your name.
How to Register
Priority allocation for businesses with an existing .au website domain (.com.au, .net.au, etc.) is available until 20th September 2022. This allows existing businesses to secure their exact match in .au direct.
You can apply for Priority Registration through the Rhythm Digital team or your current registrar before 20th September. There is a registration fee, and applications will be assessed for eligibility. You will also need a priority token, which you can find on the AuDA website. The Rhythm Digital team can assist you in locating this.
Complete our .au domain registration request form, and let our team handle the process for you!
