Update 24th March – .au domains released today. Cost $22.50 per year. Email [email protected] to see if you are eligible.
From 24 March 2022, the AUDA (Australian domain name authority) is launching a new domain extension – .au
If you already own a .com.au or .net.au domain name you will be eligible to pre-register a .au domain.
Registering a .au domain is not mandatory but we are going to go ahead and register smg.au just to cover our brand and make sure that nobody else can use smg.au for either their website or emails
Here are the relevant dates for the registration process.
FAQ’s
We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions below to help you find the information you need. If there is anything else you would like to know please email [email protected]
- What is the grandfathering process for Registrants of existing Third-Level .AU domains?
If you have a .com.au or .net.au domain name registered you can apply for the corresponding .au domain e.g. if you own yourbusiness.com.au and/or yourbusiness.net.au you will automatically be able to register interest in registering the yourbusiness.au domain on March 24, 2022 00:00 UTC.
If no other registrant registers interest in 180 days from March 24th then you will be able to register the domain. (see below FAQ if two entities express an interest in a domain)
Here is how the priority system works. - The priority Application period is 180 Calendar days from 24 March 2022
Existing registrants of a .com.au or .net.au domain name will have 180 days to apply for their matching .au domain names
- AuDA has divided Priority applicants in 2 categories, depending on when their Third-Level .AU domain was registered. The Second.Level .AU domains will be allocated according to the following criteria:
- Priority category 1: Third-Level .AU Names with a creation date on or before February 4, 2018 at 23:59:59 (UTC)
- Priority category 2: Third-Level .AU Names with a creation date after February 4, 2018 at 23:59:59 (UTC)
- Where there are Category 1 and Category 2 applicants, Category 1 applicants have priority over Category 2 applicants
- Where there are multiple Category 1 applicants, all Category 1 applicants must agree on the allocation. Domains for which an agreement cannot be reached, will remain reserved indefinitely, until a single applicant remains.
- Where there are only Category 2 applicants, the name is allocated to the applicant whose Third-Level .AU domain has the earliest creation date in the .AU registry.
- When will 2LD.au domains get allocated?
Eligible Priority Applicants have to exercise their priority right and actively submit an application within the 6 months of the Priority Application phase. Eligible Priority Applicants can also explicitly renounce their right to apply.
Generally speaking, the allocation of a reserved 2ld.au domain takes places once all eligible Priority Applicants have expressed their intentions.- When there is only one eligible Priority Applicant for a string, the domain name is immediately allocated to that Applicant.
- Where there are multiple eligible Priority Applicants for a string, the name is allocated as soon as the contention is resolved (see question How does the Priority application process work? above for details)
- What happens at the end of Priority application period: 24 September 2022?
Once the Priority Application phase closes, any Eligible Priority Applicants that have not submitted an application will be considered as having forfeited their Priority Right. The allocation of the domain will then take place among the Eligible Priority Applicants that have submitted their application, following the criteria described above under How does the Priority application process work?- Where multiple Category 1 applicants for the same name exist and the applicants are unable to reach an agreement among themselves, the matching .au name will remain reserved indefinitely. Applicants will need to renew their application for the string each year to keep their claim active. Should only one active application remain, the domain will be assigned to that Applicant.
- Category 2 contention sets will be resolved by assigning the domain to the Applicant with the oldest Third-Level Domain.
- Any remaining unallocated names will be made available at the end of the application period. AuDA will announce the time of day when the unallocated names can be registered.
- How do I to apply for .au domain names that do not have a Priority right?
If neither the Category 1 or Category 2 is taken of the domain name you want, then we recommend you register it today in the 3ld.au as this will give you a priority right as a Category 2 applicant. - As of which date will I be able to pre-register mydomain.au?
Please fill in the form below to register for the pre-registration. Once the system is up and running we will guide you through the pre-registration process and ensure you are placed in the correct category for yourdomain.au. - What can I do today?
If you have .com.au or .net.au domains that are not managed by SMG, we suggest you review your portfolio and consider transferring your domains to SMG so that we can manage the process.
You should check that all your domain name details are correct. Go to https://whois.auda.org.au/ and enter your domain details to check the registrant and registrant contacts for your domain. If it is not correct contact us to get this changed. - What is the price for a 2nd level .au domain?
There will be a special release price for the .au domains. We will let you know once it is released. - When do pre-registrations start?
Pre-registration is open now. This doesnt give you the right to the domain but lets SMG know that you wish to register for the domain name in March when the registration priority stage opens. - What do I need to know about trademarks?
Trademarks will not factor into the .au direct release process. - What term can I apply for my .au for?
The initial registration period will be 1 year.
Am I eligible for my .au?
As of 15 December 2021, auDA has released a Priority Status Tool that will help you determine eligibility. You can use the tool by clicking here.
What are the requirements to get my .au?
In addition to the priority allocation process described above, you must have a verifiable Australian presence. Per the rules listed by auDA, an Australian presence means:- an Australian resident who is an Australian citizen or a permanent resident visa holder;
- a company registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth);
- a Registrable Body means a registrable Australian body or a foreign company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) which has an Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN);
- an Incorporated Association under State or Territory legislation;
- an entity issued with an Australian Business Number under the A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 (Cth);
- an Indigenous Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) on the Register of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations;
- a Registered Organisation that is:
- an association of employers;
- an association of employees (union); or
- an enterprise association;registered under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (Cth) and which appears on the Register of Organisations
- a Cooperative registered under State or Territory legislation and which appears on the State or Territory register of cooperatives;
- a Charity registered under the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Act 2012 (Cth), and which appears on the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission’s Charities and Not-for-Profits Register;
- a Political Party registered under the Commonwealth Electoral Commission Act 2012 and which appears on the Register of Political Parties;
- a Partnership under the relevant Australian State or Territory law where at least 60% of the partners are Australian citizens or permanent resident visa holders or an Australian body corporate;
- an Unincorporated Association formed in an Australian State or Territory with at least its management committee being Australian citizens or permanent resident visa holders;
- a Trust where the trustee must be an Australian citizen or the trustee is an Australian body corporate;
- an Educational Institution regulated under an Australian State, Territory or Commonwealth law;
- Government, being either the Crown or a Commonwealth, State or Territory statutory agency;
- a Commonwealth entity as defined in section 10 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Cth);
- an Australian Trademark application or registration in circumstances where a Person does not meet any other Australian Presence requirements but who has applied for or registered a word mark under the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth), and who thereby may apply to register a domain name that is an exact match of the word mark applied for or registered.Do I have to have the exact ABN against a company name to buy a .au domain?
No, you do not.
What timeframe do I have to use my priority eligibility to obtain my .au?
You have 6 months from 24 March 2022.
My name is conflicted as there is more than one registrant who has priority, what do I need to do to resolve this?
- Where there are Category 1 and Category 2 applicants, Category 1 applicants have priority over Category 2 applicants
- Where there are multiple Category 1 applicants, all Category 1 applicants must agree on the allocation. Domains for which an agreement cannot be reached, will remain reserved indefinitely, until a single applicant remains.
- Where there are only Category 2 applicants, the name is allocated to the applicant whose Third-Level .AU domain has the earliest creation date in the .AU registry.
Do my ABN/Ownership details have to match that for my 3rd level domain which gave me priority? Can I use different information for the 2nd level .au?
It must match.
Do I have to have my 3rd level domain with the same registrar?
No – but it’s easier and the process will be much smoother if you have them all at SMG
What will happen to priority status if I need to update my contact info?
You won’t lose priority status if you need to update your contact information.
If you are interested in reserving the .au domain name for your business please fill in the form below so that we can contact you when the time is right