The Ultimate Guide to .au Domain Names

Australia might only be the 55th most populous country, but its domain extension—.au—ranks significantly higher. With over four million registered .au domain names in 2022, Australia’s country code top-level domain, or ccTLD for short, is among the top 15 most popular ccTLDs in the world. But why is this domain so highly regarded, and how can you go about registering one? That’s precisely what you’ll learn in this guide.

What Are the Types of .au Domain Extensions?

Prior to March 2022, you could only register a third-level .au domain. This means that your website for, let’s say, an online tutoring business would have to be “curiousminds.com.au.” However, following a significant update, Australia introduced second-level .au domains, allowing “direct” domain names like “curiousminds.au.” This reform was welcomed with open arms, as many people felt the .au extension offered more straightforward, memorable options for domain names, as well as streamlined the process for securing a uniquely Australian web presence.

Besides these two types—most commonly used by commercial enterprises—there are several more types of third-level .au domains:

• .net.au for internet service providers (and beyond)
• .org.au for accredited non-profits and charities
• .gov.au for governmental bodies
• .edu.au for accredited educational institutions
• .asn.au for incorporated associations, political parties, sports groups, and trade or labor unions
• .id.au for personal websites

Keep in mind that each of these domain extensions comes with specific eligibility criteria dictated by the Australian Domain Name Administrator (auDA). In other words, you can’t just choose the domain extension you like the most. You must actually check all the boxes for the domain extension in question.

The Benefits of a .au Domain Name

There’s no doubt about it: choosing the right domain name can make or break your online presence. And it all starts with selecting the right domain extension! So, what’s so special about .au? Why should you go with this domain extension when launching your website?

Signaling a Strong Connection to Australia

Let’s say you’re launching an Australia-based business. What says “local” more than a domain name ending in .au? Register a .au domain, and you immediately signal to your audience that you’re rooted in Australia, fostering trust with the country’s consumers. This move aligns your brand with the national identity, making one thing abundantly clear: you’re fully committed to serving the Australian market!

Boosting Your Credibility

Let’s be honest. auDA has some pretty stringent eligibility requirements for .au domain names. Though this might complicate the process of registering your name a bit, it will ultimately work in your favor. Why? Because the mere fact you’ve obtained a .au domain will speak volumes about your quality and authenticity.

The result? Your website will receive an instant credibility boost.

Improving Your Online Presence

When it comes to the benefits of a .au domain name, they aren’t all about some less measurable metrics like brand perception and regional identity. Many of them are rather practical and tangible. These benefits include improving your search engine rankings and, thus, boosting your overall online presence. The math is simple. You get a local domain name, and your website gets recognized as more relevant to Australian audiences. The next thing you know, you’re excelling in local search queries.

Enhancing Security

In an online world overflowing with phishing attempts, scams, and cyberthreats, internet users are desperate to find trustworthy and secure websites. Thanks to the rigorous registration process and strict eligibility criteria for .au domain names, that’s precisely what your website will offer to them. No fraud, no misuse, and no compromise on security. Just heaps of quality content and/or products and services.

How to Register a .au Domain Name

First things first – you can’t register a .au domain name if you don’t meet the eligibility criteria. So, before moving any further, you should familiarize yourself with the rules for your chosen domain. For the most popular (and accessible) options—.au, .com.au, and .net.au—you must:

• Apply for the domain name that matches your trademark (or trademark application)
• Have an ABN (Australian Business Number) or ACN (Australian Company Number)
• Match the domain name to your company’s name, initials, products, or services

Do you meet all the criteria? If so, perfect! Follow these steps to register your .au domain name:

1. Choose a reliable .au domain name registrar.
2. Check whether your desired name is available.
3. Select your DNS (Domain Name System) servers.
4. Choose your hosting plan (optional).
5. Complete the purchase.
6. Send the necessary documentation for auDA.

And that’s it! As soon as auDA reviews – and approves – your application, you can start using your .au domain name.