A guide to choosing between .com.au, .net.au, and other .au domain names

by Chirpy Domains 3 min read

In Australia, the .au Domain Administration (auDA) regulates who can and can’t register domains. Their rules ensure that .au domains uphold their strong reputation, for the benefit of all Australians.

Which .au domains are regulated?

Only Australians who meet the auDA’s guidelines are eligible to register .au domains. This will involve you providing either some form of Australian proof-of-identity like a driver’s licence, your Australian Business Number (ABN) or other means of authenticating your connection to Australia.

The auDA has rules protecting eight .au domain namespaces. They all have their own purpose and use case, as well as rules for who can register domains within them.

Who is eligible for .com.au domains?

To be eligible for Australia’s most popular namespace, .com.au, you have to be a registered business. The domain name you have registered must also match the name of either your business, or be related to the service or product your business offers. For example, a company called Fancy Examples Ltd would be eligible to register the domain fancyexamples.com.au.

Can I get a .net.au domain?

Again, .net.au domains are limited only to businesses. The domain must match the name of your company or be related to your company’s services.

Who can get .org.au and .asn.au domains?

Of course, not all domains are reserved for business use. Not-for-profit organisations have exclusive license to use .org.au. To register .asn.au domains, you must be a non-commercial organisation, which includes unincorporated associations.

Can I get .edu.au, .gov.au and .id.au domains?

Unless you’re an education or training provider operating within Australian borders, you won’t be eligible for .edu.au domains.

And, unless you’re registering on behalf of an Australian government agency or body, you won’t be able to get a .gov.au domain.

The good news is that if you happen to be an individual living in Australia, you will be eligible for .id.au domains. This will require you registering a domain that either matches your name, be an acronym or shortened version of your first or family name, or a nickname. For example, joebloggs.id.au would be perfect if you were an Australian with the name Joe Bloggs.

Who can get .au direct domains?

The most straightforward .au domain to get your hands on are .au direct domains. Unlike all the previously mentioned namespaces, .au direct domains don’t have any restrictions other than requiring you to be either an Australian citizen, permanent resident, organisation or trademark holder.

Can I register state and territory .au domains?

No surprises here, state and territory specific domain names are also regulated. Eligibility for any of the below state and territory domains requires you being a registered not-for-profit organisation, including state and territory bodies, and community groups, operating in the area:

  • .act.au is limited for use by those within the Australian Capital Territory.
  • .nsw.au is limited for use by those within the state of New South Wales.
  • .nt.au is limited for use by those within the Northern Territory.
  • .qld.au is limited for use by those within the state of Queensland.
  • .sa.au is limited for use by those within the state of South Australia.
  • .tas.au is limited for use by those within the state of Tasmania.
  • .vic.au is limited for use by those within the state of Victoria.
  • .wa.au is limited for use by those within the state of Western Australia.

If you want to register a new .au domain, visit our homepage to check your new domain’s availability.

Image by lecroitg from Pixabay.