Get Ahead of the Competition:
New, shorter Aussie domain name extensions have launched this year, and priority registrations are now open. This is your chance to get ahead of the competition and secure the perfect domain name for your website. Registrations opened on 24th March and will close on 20th September 2022, so don’t miss out!
What Does This Mean
The .au Domain Administration has recently announced that they are now allowing direct .au registrations for the first time. This means that businesses with an existing Australian website with a .com.au or .net.au can register for priority allocation of your chosen website address, so you have a direct .au domain.
How Are .au Domain Names Allocated
Generally, when a new domain name extension is released, there’s a first-come, first-served process where anyone can register the domain name they want. However, with the new .au extensions, priority registrations are now open for businesses with an existing Australian domain.
What it Means For Your Business
Having a direct .au domain name is a great way to show your customers that you’re an Australian business and serious about doing business in Australia. It also gives your website an edge over the competition, as many other companies may not have registered for a priority allocation. A .au domain is also shorter and more accessible than a .com.au or .net.au, so it’s perfect for businesses that want to make their website easier to find and remember. It is crucial to secure your domain name as soon as possible. This is because another business might claim the domain name you want if you wait too long. For instance, if you own businessname.com.au and another business owns businessname.net.au, there’s a chance that a third business can buy businessname.au, and you’ll lose out on both domain names. If both the original domain owners claim the new .au domain, the .au priority will go in order of registration date, meaning the business that registered first will get the .au domain.
Am I Eligible For a .au Domain?
Any person or organisation can apply for a .au direct domain as long as:
- they are a sole trader, partnership, company, trustee, or association that has an Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN)
- A permanent Australian citizen or resident
- A foreign business with an Australian trademark or a trading name registered with IP Australia
