Domain names
The registrations of .AU (Australia) domain names are opened since March 24th!
All you need to know about the opening of .AU (Australia) domain names registrations.
From March 24th, it will finally be possible to register your .AU (Australia) domain names.
Like many other countries, Australia is launching its first level extension alongside traditional second-level extensions such as .com.au, .net.au …
Who can register a domain name in .au?
Registration is open to legal entities registered in Australia as well as to Australian trademark holders.
- If the registration is based on an Australian company, no restrictions will apply to the domain name. Unlike .com.au and .net.au, it is not necessary to match the company’s abbreviation or acronym. Furthermore, it is not mandatory to be related to its business, products or services.
- If the registration is based on an Australian trademark, the .au domain name must be strictly identical to the trademark (as required for .com.au and .net.au).
What are the different steps of this opening?
- Grandfathering: from March 24th 2022 to September 20th 2022 (UTC)
This period is meant for domain name holders of a second-level extension .au. During this time, they will be able to submit a request for the equivalent of their domain directly in .au. - General opening: from March 24th 2022 (UTC)
If the desired domain in .au does not have an equivalent in a second-level extension, the first come first served rule will apply. - General opening: from September 21st 2022 (UTC)
.au domain names with a second-level equivalent whose holders have not come forward during the priority registration period will be open to all, on a first-come, first-served basis.
How are the priorities managed?
- Category 1 priority: domain names in a second-level extension with a creation date before February 4th 2018 included.
- Category 2 priority: domain names in a second-level extension with a creation date after February 4th, 2018.
- A category 1 application is given priority over a category 2 application.
- In the case of category 1 multiple applications, an agreement must be reached between the holders directly, otherwise, the domain will be kept reserved until there is only one application left.
- In the case of a category 2 multiple applications, the holder of the domain name in a second-level extension with the oldest registration date will get the equivalent in .au.
