It's time to grow your business with .AU

Mar 21, 2022, 14:32 PM

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What is .au direct? .au direct refers to domain names registered directly before the .au (e.g. getyour.au). This is also referred to as a “second level name” or the “.au namespace”.

Why is .au direct being introduced?

.au direct is an exciting innovation for Australia’s Internet domain that will complement the existing suite of Australian namespaces (e.g. com.au, net.au and org.au) and:

• Deliver a wider choice of available names in the Australian domain
• Allow users to register shorter, more memorable online names
• Provide names that are easier to type and display on mobile devices.

The introduction is the result of significant public consultation conducted in 2015, 2018 and 2019, and will bring Australia in line with many other country code Top Level Domains including the United Kingdom (.uk), Canada (.ca), the USA (.us) and New Zealand (.nz).

Who is eligible for .au direct?

Anyone with a local connection to Australia (including businesses, associations and individuals) is eligible to register a .au direct name with Safenames – an auDA accredited registrar.

What names can I register under .au direct?

Unlike existing Australian namespaces such as com.au and org.au that have specific allocation criteria, there is no allocation criteria that determines which names an eligible person can register in the .au direct namespace.

If you have an Australian presence, you can simply register a name of your choosing through Safenames, subject to auDA’s licensing rules and the Priority Allocation Process. The name will not need to match your name or be the name of an existing service, good, event, activity or premises that you provide.

Priority Allocation for existing .au registrants

What is Priority Allocation? Existing holders of a .au domain name licence (registrants) will have the first opportunity to apply for Priority Status to register the exact match of their existing domain name at the .au direct level through the Priority Allocation Process.

Under the Process, exact matches of all names in the Australian registry prior to launch will be reserved for .au direct during the six-month Priority Allocation period.

During this period, eligible registrants may apply for Priority Status Safenames. For example, during the Priority Allocation period, the pre-existing registrant of getyour.com.au, can apply for Priority Status for getyour.au.

How can I register for Priority Status?

When .au direct launches, you will be able to apply for Priority Status through Safenames. You must be eligible to hold the domain licence that forms the basis of your Priority Status application.

Will my existing .au domain name be impacted by the introduction of .au direct?

No. Your existing name in the .au domain will continue to operate as it does today, provided you keep your registration up-to-date.

Where can I find more information?

Call or email our Sales team

UK: +44 (0)1908 200022 | US: +1.703.574.5313 sales@safenames.net