A domain name ending in .au signifies that the person or organisation using it has a connection to Australia.
In .au we have several different namespaces serving different sectors and purposes and with different rules for who can register them and what name they can have.
'Open' .au namespaces
The open namespaces are those in which the public can register names, provided they are eligible.
Each namespace serves a specific type of enterprise or purpose and rules for who can register in them, and what names they can register vary between them.
The rules for who can register what names in these open namespaces can be found in the .au Domain Administration Rules: Licensing.
com.au
For commercial entities, such as companies (with an ABN or ACN as registered through ASIC), and businesses (registered with state governments).
net.au
For commercial entities, such as companies (with an ABN/ACN as registered through ASIC), and businesses (registered with state governments).
org.au
For charities and non-profit organisations.
.au direct
.au direct names - e.g. auda.au - are open to anyone with a connection to Australia.
asn.au
For incorporated associations, political parties, trade unions, sporting and special interest clubs
id.au
For individuals who are Australian citizens or residents.
'Closed' .au namespaces
These 2LDs are known as "closed" because they are closed to the general public, and only available to entities within a defined sector.
- edu.au
For educational institutions registered at federal or state level. This domain is managed by auDA in accordance with the .au Domain Administration Rules: Licensing.
For policy and registration information, please contact Education Services Australia. - gov.au
For Commonwealth, state, territory and local government bodies. This domain is managed on behalf of the Australian government sector by the Department of Finance. For policy and registration information, please contact gov.au Domain Administration. - csiro.au
For the sole use of the Commonwealth Science and Industry Research Organisation (CSIRO). This domain is managed by CSIRO.
For policy and registration information, please contact CSIRO.
State and Territory Namespaces
Each Australian State and Territory has its own namespace.
Registration in these namespaces are currently only open to community groups and only Australian geographic (place) names may be registered.
- act.au
For community use of geographic names within the Australian Capital Territory. For example, westoncreek.act.au. - nsw.au
For community use of geographic names within New South Wales. For example, bathurst.nsw.au. - nt.au
For community use of geographic names within the Northern Territory. For example, wyndham.nt.au. - qld.au
For community use of geographic names within Queensland. For example, kenilworth.qld.au. - sa.au
For community use of geographic names within South Australia. For example, maslinbeach.sa.au. - tas.au
For community use of geographic names within Tasmania. For example, scottsdale.tas.au. - vic.au
For community use of geographic names within Victoria. For example, ballarat.vic.au. - wa.au
For community use of geographic names within Western Australia. For example, armadale.wa.au.
The State and Territory namespaces are facilitated by auDA. For policy and registration information, please email info@ddns.com.au
