How to Register a .AU Domain?

Australia is getting a new domain ending this March. The .com.au and .net.au websites are now about to be joined by their more focused brother: .au. Whether you already have a com.au, .net.au or not, it’s time to get your concentrated Aussie domain. 

Registering a .au domain may seem like a big task but it really isn’t. Make sure you have the right information at hand and your .au is only a few clicks away, for just $12.99/yr.

Make Sure You’re Australian

Well, you obviously are, but weirdly registries won’t just take your word for it. Meaning if you want a .au domain, you’ll need to provide proof that you call Australia home. Seems a bit like an extra hoop to jump through, but protects legitimate local businesses from foreign competition.

In case you are neither an Australian citizen, permanent resident, nor a registered local company, you can go through this list of what else it can mean to have an “Australian presence”. If you can tick at least one of these boxes, the next question is: do you remember where your passport is?

Individuals only need an Australian proof of identity (passport, driver’s license), while businesses can use their ABN/ACN number to register.

Unlike existing .au namespaces, your new .au domain name will no longer need to exactly match your company or trademark. So, flex your creative muscles and choose whatever website address you fancy.

Already Own a 3rd Level .au Domain?

Good news: you get first dibs on the matching .au domain. You’ll have six months after launch to claim your .au twin. If you own judojarred.com.au, you’ve got the right to register judojarred.au until September 20, 2022, before it becomes available to the general public. 

And this is how you can register your .au domain:

1. Search for your .au counterpart. on OnlyDomains and add it to your cart.
   
2. Login to your account or create one.
   
3. Make sure you use the same contact information & eligibility requirements as your existing domain name. Then the registry knows it’s really you. 
   
   If your existing com.au or .org.au domain is with OnlyDomains, we’ll do all the heavy lifting. This will be a single click process for you.
   
   If not, they’re easy to transfer across.

Of course, there is no obligation to get the corresponding .au if you don’t want to. If there are no applications for your matching .au name during the first six months, that name will become available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis.

What If There are Multiple Claims on a Name?

Things get a bit tricky when different registrants own the same name in different namespaces. 

For example: Jarred from Brisbane sells sports gear at judojarred.com.au, while Jarred from Melbourne uses judojarred.net.au to connect youngsters at his dojo.

In this case, the .au name will be allocated according to priority categories determined by auDA – the .au registry:

• Priority Category 1: 3rd Level domains registered on or before the 4th Feb 2018 
• Priority Category 2: Domains registered after 4th Feb 2018 fall in this category

Applications in Priority Category 1 will get preference over Priority 2 applications. You can check the priority of your existing 3rd level domain here.

Here’s the process the .au registry will use for allocation:

Can I Improve my Chances of Getting a .au Domain?

Yup, you can. As we discussed above, if you’ve already owned the name as a .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, or .id.au, you get first dibs.

If you own multiple domains (e.g.: purplepenguins.com.au and purplepenguins.net.au), make sure you use the same registrant details for these, so auDA can solve the contention sets faster. After all, you don’t want to end up fighting yourself.

If you don’t have one of the above, you can try registering one that matches the name you want. It will help your chances to get priority when the matching .au is released.